South Africa has voted to pull its four major franchises from Super Rugby and explore expanding its presence in the European PRO14 competition in a major shift for the game.
In a widely expected move, a special general meeting of the South African Rugby Union has decided to enter the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers into an expanded PRO14, effectively ending franchise competition against sides from Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.
The lucrative European television market, and more favourable time zones and travel logistics are behind the move, with the Cheetahs and Southern Kings playing in the PRO14 since 2017.
They will be replaced by the new quartet, with the Cheetahs possibly playing in a revamped SANZAAR Super Series, if costs can be kept neutral.
"Our members are excited about the prospect of closer alignment with the PRO Rugby Championship and seeking a northern hemisphere future, but we would not have been taking this decision, but for actions elsewhere," SA Rugby chief executive Jourie Roux says.
His comments come after NZ Rugby unilaterally decided to proceed with a domestic or trans-Tasman competition in the future, effectively ending Super Rugby in its current format.
Roux says New Zealand’s decision made it impossible to deliver the 14-team Super Rugby competition that had been agreed by the partners and for which five-year broadcasting agreements had been signed.
SA Rugby will now accelerate conversations with the organisers of PRO14, which is a joint venture between the rugby unions of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy.
"These are extraordinary times," SA Rugby president Mark Alexander says. "If this had been an ordinary year, we would not have had this meeting, but we needed to take radical steps to avoid financial meltdown, because of the COVID-19 crisis."
The world champion Springboks will likely remain part of the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship for the foreseeable future.
Reuters
