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
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8 Jul 2009, 13:37 pm
#110 Desert Stormer: complete *****
8 Jul 2009, 13:37 pm
Cricket update:
12:29pm – WICKET – Strauss c Clarke b Johnson 30, Eng 67-2
You have to keep reminding yourself that Strauss is out in the middle, he is very much the Chris Lowe to Bopara’s Neil Tennant at the moment. Big lbw appeal from Johnson, but that looked to be going down. Hawkeye reckons that was nicking leg-stump, Umpire Doctrove thought otherwise. ROPE-A-DOPE! Mitchell Johnson slips up a gear, sending one down at 93mph, and Strauss is unable to get out of the way, gloving to Michael Clarke at first slip.
8 Jul 2009, 13:37 pm
#133 Sheriff: Heavy Metal fans and classical music lovers have more in common than they may think – both tend to be creative and introverted, according to a study of personality and musical taste.
`The general public has held a stereotype of heavy metal fans being suicidally depressed and of being a danger,…But they are quite delicate things,` said Adrian North, who led the study at Herion-Watt University.
Other findings: Indie music fans lack self-esteem, pop music fans are uncreative, country fans are hard working and rap fans are outgoing.
8 Jul 2009, 13:38 pm
#141 RugbyRulz:
Look I know he was Bad, but nevertheless a Smooth Criminal
8 Jul 2009, 13:38 pm
#121 Porra the Fat Speedster: real tw*t
8 Jul 2009, 13:39 pm
#143 Porra the Fat Speedster:
You may have a point; those kids look Portuguese to me…
8 Jul 2009, 13:40 pm
#150 Sheriff: I’m not a fan of either but appreciate their contribution to music.
To rate one over the other is ludicrous, they were totally different in form in every way.
Elvis Portuguese? No way porra.
8 Jul 2009, 13:41 pm
#153 The-Pill: I agree with you.
8 Jul 2009, 13:44 pm
#156 Sheriff:
hah
real
cute kids
then
8 Jul 2009, 13:45 pm
#153 The-Pill:
Heavy k*k in my book.
8 Jul 2009, 13:45 pm
#157 RugbyRulz:
elvis
was handsome
enough
to be
porra
just a bit
too limp
in the
wrist
8 Jul 2009, 13:45 pm
#158 RugbyRulz: The best musicians, those who actually Know music and Know how to play the instruments, Heavy Metal and Rock.
You will find the best guitarists in those music codes.
8 Jul 2009, 13:48 pm
#160 Sheriff: Yes. Hip Hop and Rap sux balls.
I agree with you.
8 Jul 2009, 13:48 pm
#157 RugbyRulz:
Strictly speaking you can, but it will have to be done by experts in the music industry
Michael is unparalled wrt his creativity over 4 decades
Both weird freaks in my book btw
Anything musical in Aus, other than waltzing matilda?
8 Jul 2009, 13:50 pm
#159 Porra the Fat Speedster:
I knew the self-love would make you change your mind, leave MJ he has done you no harm except to expose your lack of rhythm
Live and let live
8 Jul 2009, 13:51 pm
#162 The-Pill:
to a point.
Classical guitarist is the actual starting point for where rock and Metal guitarist come from.The scales and arpeggios that classical music used 100s of years ago find there way into rock giutar solos of now.Its amazing to sit down and watch a good classical giutarist on a stool playing,sone of the stuff they do.
8 Jul 2009, 13:52 pm
#163 The-Pill:
And you’re telling me that cause you think I like it, e-diot
8 Jul 2009, 13:52 pm
#162 The-Pill: Many rave about Hendrix but for me I preferred Jimmy Page, but my all time favourite is Carlos Santana. That guy is unbelievable.
8 Jul 2009, 13:54 pm
#167 Sheriff: No. I don`t think anything about you really…..
8 Jul 2009, 13:54 pm
Heavy metal is for angry white boys with unresolved issues
Research has proven that over and over.
8 Jul 2009, 13:56 pm
#169 The-Pill:
Good. Just remember I enjoy the finer things in life.
Music no exception.
8 Jul 2009, 13:56 pm
#168 RugbyRulz: Santana one of the very best.
8 Jul 2009, 13:56 pm
#170 Sheriff: That could be why I dont mind AC DC.
8 Jul 2009, 13:56 pm
Where is b-o-d? On lunch or having a ciggy?
8 Jul 2009, 13:57 pm
#170 Sheriff: Prove it?
8 Jul 2009, 13:57 pm
#165 Sheriff:
mj
in my opinion
has done
untold harm
to those kids
he entertained
for his
own warped
pleasures
and the devious
way
in which
he recruited
them
from mostly
lower income
households
make me
sick
he was
a freak
a sick freak
and he
needed to be
institusionalised
8 Jul 2009, 13:58 pm
#170 Sheriff:
lol
What research?
8 Jul 2009, 13:59 pm
Actually I don’t mind ZZ Top… Don’t know anyone that can keep their feet still when La Grange is audible.
8 Jul 2009, 13:59 pm
#175 The-Pill:
I just did. With that post.
8 Jul 2009, 14:00 pm
#177 Hurricane:
World wide research.
8 Jul 2009, 14:00 pm
If the Currie Cup diminishes due to the unavailability of Springbok players, this could cause interesting contracting dilemmas for unions insofar players are concerned. You may find Currie Cup unions only willing to contract Bok players for the Super 14 (15/18/…) and not for the Currie Cup in order to create depth in contracting for Currie Cup players. This will leave SARU with an increased burden to make up for that loss of income of Bok players contracted out of the Currie Cup. But then again they would have made so much with TV rights they’ll be able to afford it.
I wonder whether Super rugby would be able to engage viewers if it is prolonged the way they intend doing it. If there are nothing to play for (i.e. interesting permutations for playoffs, etc.) weaker teams may find fans deserting them in favour of CC games (or pro 20 cricket for that matter). They will have to keep the longer version interesting or viewership may decrease.
Lastly, there is an expectation, in view of the cost of 2010 SWC and the economic downturn, that sponsorships will become harder to come by from 2010 onwards, this could cause major problems for some franchises if they can’t prove a large following and an opportunity to expose brands. I think the extention of Super rugby is very badly timed and they may look losses in the face.
8 Jul 2009, 14:00 pm
#177 Hurricane: Research from the Institute of Delusional Studies of Ill Informed Music lovers.
8 Jul 2009, 14:00 pm
how about
lynyrd skynyrd
8 Jul 2009, 14:02 pm
#177 Hurricane: Give him time to Google…
Maybe he will find something.
8 Jul 2009, 14:02 pm
#176 Porra the Fat Speedster:
Agreed, funny enough.
Any deviation from the norm should be isolated for further investigation.
Can you understand my concern as regards your writing style?
Nobody else writes like that…
8 Jul 2009, 14:03 pm
#183 Porra the Fat Speedster: Leonard Cohen.
Crazy MoFo, but brilliant words…
8 Jul 2009, 14:03 pm
#180 Sheriff:
sounds more
like research
by cullert boys
with chips
on their
shoulders
8 Jul 2009, 14:06 pm
#183 Porra the Fat Speedster: I remember them…sheet showing just how old I am now. lol
8 Jul 2009, 14:06 pm
#187 Porra the Fat Speedster:
What chips?
Chips that they bought from the Portuguese cafe at the corner with the Coca Cola sign on it?
8 Jul 2009, 14:06 pm
#180 Sheriff:
Ok
Link the site please,should be easy to find if its a world wide research
8 Jul 2009, 14:07 pm
#170 Sheriff: that’s like saying rap is for angry black boys with unresolved issues..
8 Jul 2009, 14:08 pm
#190 Hurricane:
Just go to www. worldwideresearch. com ; you have to register tho
8 Jul 2009, 14:09 pm
#186 The-Pill:
he probably
was on drugs
24/7
while still
singing
but he wrote
and made some
exellent
music
all the
sisters
of mercy
8 Jul 2009, 14:11 pm
#189 Sheriff:
those
big fat
chips
they were
born with
you don’t
buy them
in any shop
nevermind
a porra
greengrocer
8 Jul 2009, 14:11 pm
#192 Sheriff: We is all idjits so could you please give us the entire http// address please.
8 Jul 2009, 14:11 pm
#192 Sheriff:
Cool,i will just use your registration name and password.
User name : Gotnofacts
Password : Onceagain
Should do it
8 Jul 2009, 14:15 pm
#191 byoboy:
Almost, but research of course the key
That’s why I did not make that statement as there is no research to back it up
8 Jul 2009, 14:16 pm
#171 Sheriff: Face it Sheriff, the stuff you listen to is the Nissan Sentra of music. It’s the psuedo-Tuscan townhouse of music, complete with water feature and pruned tree. It’s the Caesar salad of music. Most of your prized collection will one day be available on R79-99 double CD compilations in Musica’s bargain basket, called “50 Easy Listening classics” and “Turn down the Lights: The Best Of Smooth Jazz”. If it isn’t already.
8 Jul 2009, 14:20 pm
#198 katman: Pissing myself laughing.
8 Jul 2009, 14:20 pm
#197 Sheriff:
lol
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