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World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin highlights serious player welfare concerns for Springboks stars due to the current schedule. With South Africa's teams shifted to the United Rugby Championship, many internationals face year-round demands. Players like Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Cheslin Kolbe in Japan are unaffected, but those in Europe and South Africa endure grueling seasons. The Springboks' participation in the Rugby Championship overlaps with the northern hemisphere club calendar, necessitating careful player management. Discussions regarding aligning the Rugby Championship with the Six Nations in February and March face resistance from New Zealand. Gilpin emphasizes the need for a global calendar but acknowledges the complexities in reaching alignment. He asserts that player welfare remains a priority and that finding solutions is essential for the future of the game. The push for a coherent global calendar continues, but significant progress is still needed.
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