All Blacks Patrick Tuipulotu and Springboks Pieter-Steph du Toit talk Six Nations and how a move to Japan improved their game
- The pair have been teammates since signing with Japan League One side Toyota Verblitz in September
- ‘My personal opinion is it would be sad to leave the Rugby Championship and not play against New Zealand, Australia and Argentina,’ du Toit says
Springboks flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit and All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu might be two of the most pragmatic players in the game today.
Teammates with Japan’s Rugby League One side Toyota Verblitz, the pair said sweeping changes to the structure of the game were inevitable – including South Africa’s potential move to the Six Nations.
While South Africa will continue to play in the Rugby Championship until 2025, speculation surrounding a move to the Six Nations refuses to go away. Something du Toit describes as sad, but not entirely out of the question.
“My personal opinion is it would be sad to leave the Rugby Championship and not play against New Zealand, Australia and Argentina,” du Toit told media during a press briefing from Japan.
“There are definitely pros and cons in terms of moving from the Rugby Championship. Everything in life changes and you just have to adapt to it. The Springboks will always be competitive.”
Tuipulotu, who arrived in Japan soon after playing his 41st Test for the All Blacks at the end of last year’s Rugby Championship in Australia, admitted he would miss the Springboks rivalry, but said the game moves on.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing in South Africa against the South African Super Rugby sides, and especially the Springboks. If it does happen it would be quite sad, but you’ve got to move on,” Tuipulotu said.
