Interesting article from South Africa. A possible entry to Europe?
8 pro teams not 14 in SARUs future
by Brenden Nel 13 April 2017
South African rugby is likely to comprise of eight professional teams in future, with the rest being semi-pro or amateur, if the big changes proposed to the structure of SARU are undertaken.
The eight teams – four in Vodacom Super Rugby, and four in a possible competition in a new market, backed up by a strong Currie Cup competition based on strength vs strength are part of the radical changes being proposed to SARU’s structures in future to streamline the game and bring rugby into a sustainable future.
It is clear the current structures aren’t working and despite the outcry over the axing of two Super Rugby teams this week, results underline SARU’s contention that the economy of the game at the moment can only support four franchises in the competition.
But while the pain of being excluded from Super Rugby is a bitter pill to swallow, SARU are busy with plans to find a new home for the two axed teams, as well as a new competition where four professional sides can support their Super Rugby allies in a second-tier competition that would see new markets being explored.
SARU CEO told journalists this week that with the advent of the global season being finalised by World Rugby, it now meant that SARU could well look to new markets for new competitions. But this would mean taking some tough decsisions in the interests of SA Rugby.
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“There has been a pact between the southern and northern hemisphere not to do any deals until that has been sorted. The global season has been sorted until 2032, we know every nation we will play against until 2032.
“We always have to allow for different competitions and now for the first time we are being approached by different entities for us to play.”
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SARU’s franchise committee is currently busy reviewing criteria to choose the two sides that will exit Super Rugby at the end of this season.
Read more:
http://www.supersport.com/rugby/sa-rugby/news/170413/8_pro_teams_not_14_in_SARUs_future