Sanzaar and Rugby Australia are set to make an announcement regarding the draw for the Rugby Championship at 11 o'clock this morning in Sydney.
Richie Mo'unga on his way to the try line. All Blacks v Wallabies. 2019. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The statement suggests that the Springboks and Argentina have confirmed their attendance, saying "Australia will host the entire 2020 tournament for the first time with World Champions South Africa as well as New Zealand and Argentina set to face-off 'Down Under'."
RNZ understands the Springboks are committed to the competition, which will be played in November and December.
The tournament will largely be held in NSW, but RNZ understands the All Blacks will arrive and quarantine in Brisbane and that's where they will play their first Rugby Championship match, which doubles as a return Bledisloe Cup test.
The biggest talking point will be the length of the competition All Blacks to be home for Christmas, with the All Blacks wanting to leave Australia by December 6th to avoid quarantining in New Zealand over Christmas.
New Zealand Rugby Players association boss Rob Nichol said last week that the All Blacks will be asked to play six tests over five weeks in Australia if the Rugby Championship goes ahead.
He said having the players in quarantine during Christmas is not an option.
"Each team is going to have to deal with the fact that we've got to be out of Australia by the 6th of December, that's the date everyone's talking about. Clearly the draw has got to be looked at pretty closely and be quite innovative, but you're looking at six test matches over five weeks to make sure that no-one is in quarantine over Christmas because that was never going to work for anyone."
If the tournament runs over six weeks from the planned start date of November 7th, it wouldn't finish until the weekend of December 12th, which would mean the All Blacks would have to quarantine over Christmas.
