Former Springbok head coach Jake White has urged the Six Nations not to add South Africa into the mix, saying that it would lose its charm as a Championship.
Gloucester back-rower Ruan Ackermann has confirmed he is in talks with South African United Rugby Championship (URC) teams ahead of next season.
France coach Shaun Edwards admits that there are still lingering feelings of "injustice" following their agonising defeat to South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
South Africa's rugby franchises again led the way as the United Rugby Championship broke another attendance record this past weekend.
Women's rugby continued to grow at all levels in 2023 as a record number of people pulled on their boots or took to the stands to watch a sport supercharged by events on the pitch.
Springbok lock Jean Kleyn won't play again this season after opting to undergo knee surgery while he waits for a lingering eye injury to recover.