ENGLAND’S showdown with South Africa in rugby’s new half-a-billion pound format will be bumped down to ITV4 on Saturday to make way for the World Cup.
But it’s not a home nation they will take a backseat for – it’s versus .
The showdown is set for Ellis Park, a venue that has hosted Confederations Cup matches Credit: AFP
It won’t make a difference to England coach Steve Borthwick what channel the game is on Credit: Getty
ITV will broadcast the World Cup round-of-16 match on ITV1 at 6pm on Saturday while England kick off against the Springboks in Johannesburg, in their first match of the inaugural , at 4.40pm on ITV4.
Earlier in the day, Wales‘ clash with Fiji at the Cardiff City Stadium will be shown on ITV1 at 2.10pm.
are believed to be open to late schedule changes, but as things stand, England are the ones who will feel the bite of the World Cup and air on ITV4.
The Telegraph report that sources from the Nations Championship weren’t dismayed by the relegation to ITV4.
It remains a free-to-air channel and is still a big win for a new competition – and rugby in general.
The only fear would be that it’s not a great look for the significance of the competition in its inaugural weekend.
The Nations Championship will consist of twelve teams, involving the current Six Nations (England, France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, of course) and SANZAAR (Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand) unions, in addition to two invited unions, Fiji and Japan.
The competition will be held in even-numbered years in order not to clash with the British & Irish Lions tour or the Rugby World Cup.
England’s World Cup campaign continues at 1am Monday morning Credit: AFP
The Nations Championship stands to generate £500m from its first two editions, in 2026 and 2028, which is invested back into the game. Qatar Airways had been reported as a major sponsor.
An ITV spokesperson told the Telegraph: “We are pleased that ITV is able to offer a weekend of free-to-air coverage of top international live sport across ITV1, ITV4 and , delivering comprehensive coverage for viewers.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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