As ever, where the rest of the Rugby Championship will be played will likely be determined by the size of the windfall Sanzaar are likely to generate.
The competition is in a state of confusion after the tightening of Covid-19 restrictions in New Zealand and Australia, a situation worsened by New Zealand Rugby's decision not to send the All Blacks for their scheduled clash next Saturday against the Wallabies in Perth.
With New Zealand declared off limits, it had been hoped the remainder of the roster would be completed in Australia but the Western Australian government, while granting permission for the All Blacks to enter, had not made the same concession for SA and Argentina.
It leaves Queensland as the only viable Australian option with New South Wales now also under much stricter lockdown. Sanzaar, however, are awaiting approval for the remainder of the tournament to be played in Queensland, which has done little to remove the uncertainty.
SA Rugby on Friday offered to act as hosts, subject to government approval. Those matches will likely be played in a central location, most probably Gauteng, with no spectators in attendance. Empty stadiums, however, is a problem Australian organisers won't have to contend with.
Also under consideration are plans to move the tournament to Europe where fans are allowed to attend. It is understood that is New Zealand's preferred option as that is the most commercially beneficial. Not only will they profit from broadcast rights but also ticket sales.
There are however several sticking points and most of them have attached themselves to the All Blacks. Uncertainty about where their games were set to take place in Australia caused them to pull the plug on the Perth fixture. It infuriated the Aussies, with SA Rugby also suggesting the Kiwis acted unilaterally.
New Zealand Rugby's CEO Mark Robinson has since argued they were forced into the decision as their most prized players could spend as much as 15 weeks away from home.
The All Blacks would only be allowed to return home on November 23. The players have to serve a mandatory quarantine of two weeks upon return to New Zealand.
The All Blacks' mental health was put forward as one of the considerations for the Perth clash being canned.
While the All Blacks have identified many stumbling blocks the Springboks and Los Pumas appear ready to play, wherever.
Argentina coach Mario Ledesma and his team have learned to roll with the punches. Last year they served a mandatory quarantine and played the entire rebranded Tri-Nations in Australia. "If we must go to Europe, we will go to Europe. If we have to stay over here in SA, we will stay in SA," said Ledesma.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was clear about his preferred base for the remainder of the competition. "We would love to stay here. There are two teams here already," he sagely noted.
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick brought into focus the bigger picture. "We are just grateful to get a chance to play. We missed out last year. Any opportunity to play is great.
"We would love to play in SA," said Stick.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander stressed the importance of keeping the competition going.
"We want to play rugby. We understand that we are in trying times and that there are enormous challenges. The fact is, the pandemic is going to be with us for some time and we need to live with it. We must remain open for business but be mindful that we need to manage the associated risks.
"If we don't the sport will die," he warned.
The Boks and Argentina will sit tight in Gqeberha until the new schedule is firmed up.
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