Rugby-South Africa have planning for next World Cup as top priority

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - South Africa v New Zealand - Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa - August 31, 2024 South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus before the match REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -Top ranked South Africa will be seeking to keep up their winning ways in the Rugby Championship, but the six matches against Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina over the next three months will also likely be used for experimentation.

Coach Rassie Erasmus has made no secret of his desire to freshen up his ageing squad and keep the Springboks on course for a third successive World Cup title, when the next tournament is hosted in 2027.