Overview
- Rian Oberholzer said unions, leagues and broadcasters must give up entrenched positions to make a single calendar work.
- He argued aligned international and domestic windows would secure proper rest for players and reduce Regulation 9 release disputes.
- The long-standing north–south scheduling clash is the main obstacle, with options mooted such as shifting the Six Nations or moving the Rugby Championship earlier.
- Oberholzer cautioned that broadcast contracts and commercial priorities complicate any reshuffle and could preclude running major tournaments in the same window.
- A World Rugby working group is testing scenarios following Shape of the Game discussions, with Springbok staff including Andy Edwards backing alignment to improve player management.