SA linked to rebel league
14 Nov 2011
South African franchises have been a linked with European plans to create a global rugby tournament in the near future.
According to The Guardian, there are secret plans being made among Europe’s richest clubs to establish a breakaway tournament, which would include South African franchises. The UK newspaper also confirmed that there are separate proposals to create a world club championship, which would include the champions of the English Premiership, Pro12 and French Top 14 and European Cup, as well as the winners of Super Rugby and the respective Australian, New Zealand and South African logs.
It is believed that only money is the issue stopping these plans. The European Cup is run by the European Rugby Cup Ltd, which acts on behalf of the unions involved. The tournament’s turnover has doubled in five years to just over €50m (about R545m) but there are many who believe the competition is capable of generating far more.
Frustrated clubs are aware the existing five-year ERC accord ends in June, although any stakeholder wishing to exit the tournament is still required to give two years’ notice. All the tournament’s major TV contracts expire in 2014 and Heineken’s title sponsorship deal runs until 2013. The strict salary cap in England remains a further bone of contention for millionaire club owners who, despite the economic turmoil across Europe, are seeking to expand.
‘From an English and French clubs’ point of view the European Cup is a growing competition but it is essentially controlled by the unions and played by the clubs,’ said an anonymous prominent club figure. ‘There are some English and French clubs who do not regard that as an ideal situation. There is also a growing weariness in South Africa with Sanzar [South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby]. They feel they’re at a playing disadvantage by constantly having to travel and, despite having more commercial pulling power, do not get a proportionally bigger share of the revenue. They feel South Africa is subsidising Australia and New Zealand, which are relatively small markets.’
In a recent interview with SA Rugby magazine, Saracens CEO Edward Griffiths echoed the same sentiments. Saracens will take their European Cup tie against Biarritz to Cape Town in January.
‘I’’m not sure if that will be possible and whether the IRB will allow it [a global club competition], but I do believe new competition structures need to be implemented. The English clubs are suffering major losses. There was a total loss of R300 million from all clubs after last season, so there needs to be some changes made,’ said Griffiths.
‘It would be a positive step for South African franchises to join forces with European clubs. The time zone is similar and it’s easier to travel to London and Paris than it is to Sydney or Auckland. This would make it easier for all clubs and franchises to earn a profit while it will also create a fresh and appealing spectacle for fan.’
161 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 3 [4] Show All
15 Nov 2011, 10:51 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-134: You do, the same as the Afrikaaners, your ancestors also fought the Brits didnt they?
The anzacs SA has no history with cept rugby i think.
15 Nov 2011, 10:51 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-149:
indeed.
all the teams will be full strength for the entire competition.
you guys will have butch james back.
fantasties.
15 Nov 2011, 11:18 am
@Gunther(gunther)-152: Butch will be lucky to get game time. He’s third in line at flyhalf, and about 6th for inside centre. Maybe he and Carlos can share the mentoring role. Carlos does Monday to Saturday and Butch does Sundays and public holidays.
15 Nov 2011, 11:50 am
As a kiwi I would love it if SANZAR break up. NZ and Aus comp would be awesome, if they could get it up and running like the NRL rugby league it would be fantastic.
No disrespect but I have zero interest when the Saffa teams come to NZ.
Before super rugby started the NPC was awesome, now it is just a feeder comp
for up and coming super rugby sides.
If it went to a kiwi/Aussie NPC style comp it would be awesome!
Boks should go, it would be better for all involved. Except the standard
of rugby you’ll see in South Africa. However out of the three SH sides,
South Africa style is very similar to the NH style, i.e: very boring!!
15 Nov 2011, 11:54 am
@lawsy25(lawsy25)-154:
For a 1st ever post lawsy,(I think)
You have prospects my boy.
8)
15 Nov 2011, 11:55 am
@lawsy25(lawsy25)-154:
the hook is out. Lets just see what you catch.
15 Nov 2011, 14:19 pm
Not in agreement that the north plays inferior rugby to the south.
France should have beaten the All Blacks, Wales nearly beat the Boks and Ireland beat the luckiest quarter finalists in RWC history…Australia.
The Boks were beaten by two club teams in the UK.
15 Nov 2011, 15:21 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-157: farken hell….here i am agreeing with you today
i feel strange!
15 Nov 2011, 17:41 pm
ANZACs would drop SA in an instant if the lure of cash and opportunity to mix with the Europeans was available to them. They have zero loyalty to South Africa.
15 Nov 2011, 18:32 pm
HongKongSlong – I agree. Its more the ozzies than the kiwis i can’t stand. I would rather pull our teams out of the S15 but keep the Rugby Championship!! The S15 is destroying our players. 2 SA teams contested the S15 title in 2010 however when the players got together for the international season they were flat out on their feet!!! Last we had the added derbies, in SA that generally means war!! SA derbies are hardcore, the players seem to want to kill each other!!
Ditch the expanded S15 but keep in the Rugby Championship.
15 Nov 2011, 19:07 pm
@Puma(Puma)-13: if Ireland can afford to keep their best players at home despite the overtures of French clubs then so can South Africa
Pages: « 1 2 3 [4] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.