Currie Cup under threat
8 Jul 2009
South Africa’s premier domestic competition faces an uncertain future.
During Sanzar’s Super Rugby expansion negotiations, acting SA Rugby MD Andy Marinos insisted his organisation would not allow the Currie Cup – South Africa’s premier domestic competition – to be devalued in any way. So it was somewhat surprising when Sanzar announced a new Super 15 format that will see the southern-hemisphere regional tournament finish in early August (instead of late May) and the Springboks’ Tri-Nations campaign wrap up in late September (instead of early September) from 2011.
Considering the Currie Cup final has to be played at the end of October, at the latest, because of the Springboks’ Test commitments in November, the Boks will only be available for two or three matches of the Currie Cup league stage (out of 14) and the play-offs (if their teams qualify). That’s four or five weeks in a tournament that runs for three months.
Of course, in all his public statements, Marinos failed to mention that SA Rugby had no choice but to fight for the Currie Cup in its Sanzar meetings because in 2007 it sold the TV rights for all incoming Test tours and Currie Cup tournaments from 2011-2015 to SuperSport.
You may recall the controversy it caused at the time, with SuperSport paying R700 million – considered to be a bargain – including a R30 million ‘sweetener’ that allowed SA Rugby to show a profit when it released its financial statements in early 2008. SA Rugby also didn’t give rival broadcasters e.tv and the SABC a chance to tender, which infuriated then-Saru vice-president Koos Basson, who described the agreement as ‘flawed’.
However, the fact remains that the Currie Cup will have to be played until 2015, but what will happen to it after that? Discussions have already been held between Sanzar members about increasing the Super 15 to 18 teams in 2013 (one more South African side and possibly two from Japan).
While Marinos insists there would just be more conference matches, and the tournament wouldn’t be much longer, who’s to say that SA Rugby won’t buckle again and agree to a Super 18 that ends in late August, with the Tri-Nations finishing in mid- October? The Currie Cup would then become a glorified Vodacom Cup, with Springboks playing exclusively for their Super Rugby franchises and the national side.
Perhaps it’s time South Africans accepted that while the Currie Cup is a special competition with more than a century of history, there’s simply not enough room for it and an expanded Super Rugby competition in the calendar.
By Simon Borchardt
– This first appeared in SA Rugby magazine
250 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] Show All
8 Jul 2009, 14:20 pm
#194 Porra the Fat Speedster:
Those big fat speedster slaptjips?
8 Jul 2009, 14:21 pm
#153 The-Pill: a good example of this is the Metallica Collaboration with the Philharmonic Orchestra……. “nothing else matters” was awesome!!!! CLassic and metal combined, special
8 Jul 2009, 14:29 pm
#198 katman:
How did you know I drive a Nissan Sentra?
At least I’m prepared to share about 0.5% of what I listen to.
Many things have been said here, but few have come out and said ” I listen to so and so ”
I cannot take those complaints on board, I can only conclude that people are angry, but are not quite sure what about
People are not sincere anymore these days, as Optimus pointed out yesterday …
8 Jul 2009, 14:31 pm
#181 Fred:
You’re confusing the Unions with the S14 Franchises. SARU actually reimburses the Unions for having their players in the S14. That’s one of the reasons why the major unions started to sign players from their regional partners. SARU was footing the bill!
8 Jul 2009, 14:31 pm
#202 EEE: Ahh yes, and not forgetting the Guns n Roses collaboration, November Rain.
Top class stuff!
8 Jul 2009, 14:32 pm
#199 RugbyRulz:
Colleague of mine also had similar incontinence problems, must actually get an update if still the case
8 Jul 2009, 14:34 pm
#196 Hurricane:
Yeah quite approp for you I guess
8 Jul 2009, 14:36 pm
55. bok1906 :
#50 RugbyRulz:
1. AFL
2. Cricket
3. League
4. Swimming
5. Basketball
6. Union
In that order
8 Jul 2009, 14:36 pm
I Shot the Sheriff.
Who shot the Deputy?
8 Jul 2009, 14:48 pm
Huge debate in the medical field at the moment about the risks and side effects of THE PILL…
Lots of misconceptions and myths about THE PILL…
8 Jul 2009, 14:49 pm
#198 katman: Nissan Sentra – back street bum boys, kenney G man.
8 Jul 2009, 14:56 pm
#210 Sheriff: `Lots of misconceptions and myths about THE PILL…`
Glad you admit about being in the dark..
Recognize The Pill.
8 Jul 2009, 15:01 pm
#211 byoboy: Yeah, Yeah, I am Horny Yeah…..
Yeah, Girl you fine jaja ine. Fa ja ja ine. Yeah i am horny yeah.
Ja, great music yes.?
8 Jul 2009, 15:02 pm
#211 byoboy: Don`t forget Asslife ( aka Westlife )
8 Jul 2009, 15:05 pm
#212 The-Pill:
8 Jul 2009, 15:06 pm
#213 The-Pill: #214 The-Pill: asslife…ha ha . i rek sheri likes to cruise in his drop top sentra listening to his kenney g, bum street boys, asslife, mix tape.
8 Jul 2009, 15:09 pm
WOW quite the rugby discusion going on here
8 Jul 2009, 15:10 pm
Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
8 Jul 2009, 15:16 pm
#218 grootblousmile: Hallou blou mater, hoe gaan dit daar by jou?
8 Jul 2009, 15:19 pm
#206 Sheriff: You being an accountant and all I can understand you friends dilemma. You do his tax yes?
8 Jul 2009, 15:23 pm
#220 RugbyRulz:
First I was accused of being a cop.
Now an accountant.
Conspiracy theories…
8 Jul 2009, 15:24 pm
#208 PaulLondon: Is that bums on seats, Media TV polling or registered participants (athletes)?
8 Jul 2009, 15:25 pm
#221 Sheriff: Recall sometime over the past week you said you were an accountant.
Pulling our legs I see.
8 Jul 2009, 15:28 pm
#223 RugbyRulz:
I have no problem telling people what I do for a living.
People must just ask away…
8 Jul 2009, 15:29 pm
Super rugby has effectively put the Currie Cup competition
on the back foot.There are only 2 Unions who have benefited
by Super rugby and they are the Sharks and Bulls and to some
extent the Stormers.
The remaining provinces are no more but feeder unions for
the above mentioned and the Lions and Cheetahs have been relegated to also runs.The Triad of the Bulls/Sharks/Stormers
is the Black hole of South African rugby in which many
promising player of the lesser unions disappear,to re-appear
at the end of their careers only to end up in N/H club
rugby.
The Currie Cup can only be strong if the minnows can hang
on to their stars and that will only happen with massive
cash injections which is unlikely to happen because many
sponsors do not want their trade name associated with losers.
The extended Super Rugby competition is not a step forward
but one backward at the cost of South Africa.
The Aussies have riding on the back of South African rugby
and New Zeeland rugby for far to long.Time for them to do
homework themselves and get their domestic competition
on par to what the Curie Cup used to be.
8 Jul 2009, 15:35 pm
#218 grootblousmile: hello
8 Jul 2009, 15:37 pm
#225 Brentie1:
Well said
8 Jul 2009, 15:39 pm
So here goes:
Cape Town, for the period: 9-10 Jul; flying back morning of 10th
Location: Breakwaters Lodge (apparently no other avail, but I dont believe them)
8 Jul 2009, 15:41 pm
meant flying back 11th
8 Jul 2009, 15:42 pm
#225 Brentie1: Okay, Why not pull out of the S14 and release all the players back to CC. Forgo the funding that filters down because of the pie carve up.
Hmmm how many players would remain in SA then?
Don’t want to ***** your bubble but! How many SA players are already long gone? Cry me a river over the already spilt milk.
8 Jul 2009, 15:48 pm
#225 Brentie1: I agree super 15 is definitely a step backwards and will not benefit SA Rugby at all. Currie Cup should not be compromised.
8 Jul 2009, 15:50 pm
Now as a person who believes in merit (and not job reservation) I thought it may be approp to categorise as follows:
Group A: must see
Group B: dont have to, but not against
Group C: would prefer not to see
Group D: avoid at all cost (will even look the other way if spotted in shopping mall)
Now that I’ve done all of that I cannot decide in what category to put “break-of-day”
I guess I’ll have to do a 3 month performance review
8 Jul 2009, 15:57 pm
#225 Brentie1: mmm, i think SARU should be negotiating a role for 2 or 3 sides in the Heineken Cup… but the sides must exclude those in the S14 franchises… this opens the door to smaller unions to hold players and maybe even snatch some from the S14.
I’m sure the bloggers here could refine this idea
8 Jul 2009, 16:04 pm
#233 sideline: Now that idea has merit. There is no way the NH wants the better teams competing up north, but the ‘smaller unions’ as you say may be acceptable.
Don’t know how the northerners will view it though, especially after the BIL tour, the thumbing of collective noses at the IRB. But give it a shot. You don’t get if you don’t ask.
8 Jul 2009, 16:11 pm
Interested relevant parties can check back later to see.
But they must remember the cats as it will just say ” John Cat A ” etc
8 Jul 2009, 16:19 pm
Optimus Prime: Cat A
Transformation: Cat A
8 Jul 2009, 16:36 pm
I think we are forgetting (haven’t read all the posts) that in order for the S15 agreement to be binding to the South African franchises – there is still nothing in writing, the Currie Cup needs to be only top 6. Otherwise it’s a no go.
So what is SARU to do now. Top 6 makes more sense in many ways, and shortens the competition.
It’s either that or no teams competing in S15
8 Jul 2009, 16:36 pm
stupid stupid stupid stupid. the rich history of the curriecup. the heartbeat of south african rugby. our heritage, pride and passion? sacrificed for a stupid tournament where we have enjoyd little success and plenty of heartache. where even our best teams have had little to no success playing away. stupid stupid stupid stupid
8 Jul 2009, 16:39 pm
I’ve said it before and I will say it again.
The only reason why the CC hasn’t died yet is because of the Blue Bulls. If you take away the passion of the BB supporters and the passion of the anti-BB brigade you are left with nothing.
Very few people watch the CC, most will just watch the final, if their team is playing or the BB are playing.
Without the BB the CC is dead.
8 Jul 2009, 16:45 pm
#239 BlueBlood:
Just on my way out, but agree with you:
” Without the BB the CC is dead.”
As a matter of fact, I think it should read as follows:
” Without the BB the country/continent is dead “
8 Jul 2009, 17:12 pm
#168 RugbyRulz:
You dont need to hang out with the dead and decrepid to satisfy your guitar fix.
Check out:-
Jack White (White Stripes)
J Mascis (Dinosaur Jnr)
Dave Navarro (Janes Addiction & various)
all touched by genius.
8 Jul 2009, 22:54 pm
i have long maintained that the currie cup should only include fringe boks and those looking to regain form and fitness after injury (or in schalks case suspension…). with s14, june tests, tri nations and year end the players dont have the capacityto play mroe matches.
the currie cup should be considered a semi-professinal competition that is a feeder and developer for the professonal S15 series.
9 Jul 2009, 06:42 am
#241 BlackPanther:
Chris Cornell springs to mind and more, I like the rawness.
The list can go on and Keo would love us but for me I have to give Carlos the nod.
9 Jul 2009, 06:46 am
#241 BlackPanther:
Slash
9 Jul 2009, 14:58 pm
#244 Fern:
I was going to mention Slash but then couldnt think of a current band to list for him. I read his ‘Heroin Diary’. 1 scary mo fo. And he hasnt been with G’n'R for years either. I think he’s almost a VIP session musician these days ?
#243 RugbyRulz:
Cornell was of course vocals only (& initially part-time drummer) and is possibly the best contemporary male vocalist. A shame he is now releasing such cheesey solo ****.
Soundgarden did indeed have great guitarists (Kim Thayil) tho.
9 Jul 2009, 15:04 pm
#96 Sheriff: Lol, and what about angry-black-pop-a-cap-in-yo-*** music?
9 Jul 2009, 15:05 pm
#239 BlueBlood: Amen Brother!
9 Jul 2009, 15:08 pm
#246 Blou Baard Pastei:
What about it?
In your heart of hearts you know I’m right, go on, reflect on it…
9 Jul 2009, 17:28 pm
#248 Sheriff: Well, do you like it? Don’t you think people that listens to it has issues?
You get angry-white-boy music, angry-black-pop-a-cap-in-yo-*** music, hou-my-vas-en-pomp-my-stadig music, tail-gunning-boy-band music etc. And various people classify their type or style of music as “Ordentlik”.
To me “angry-white-boy” music is “ordentlik”, nice rhythm on drums, the distorted guitar(s) inline with vocals, with the Lead guitarist creating adding the final touch with his solo’s. It doesn’t mean I’ve got issues, nor that I’m angry all the time. Most bands out there say it like it is, and that’s what I like… Like Metallica, they used to be like that…
9 Jul 2009, 21:34 pm
230. RugbyRulz
The Super 14 (15) has distorted the strength of the
Curie Cup,how else do we explain former Curie Cup
champions at the bottom of the log.
The Super 15 should rather be played on a pool system,
of 3 pools of 5 teams each.
Top 2 teams of each pool go through to round robin,
top 2 play in final.
It will see the return of Lions and Cheetahs sooner
to the domestic competition.
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.