Sanzar stands firm on Super Rugby format
14 Feb 2012
Sanzar CEO Greg Peters dealt South Africa’s hope of gaining an additional Super Rugby franchise a hammer blow by insisting the format will not change until 2015.
In January the South African Rugby Union (Saru) committed to the Kings’ Super Rugby inclusion in 2013 but conceded that they did not know how they would be accommodated. They then rejected a relegation match as an option of trimming a franchise and also said a merger between two franchises was not an option.
Weekend reports indicated that the South African franchises had resolved to boycott the tournament in 2013 if they were not awarded another franchise. Saru quickly moved to dismiss those reports as false but did issue an ultimatum to their Sanzar partners saying: ‘… the franchises have made it plain that the only option to them is the expansion of Super Rugby. They also pledged their support for the Kings’ inclusion in 2013 as well as for Saru’s efforts to persuade Sanzar to include a sixth South African franchise.’
A letter from the five franchises to Saru president Oregan Hoskins stated:
* That such inclusion will benefit South African rugby in general;
* That none of the existing franchises shall be prejudiced by such inclusion in any way whatsoever;
* That none of the existing franchises shall be eliminated from the tournament in 2013 or at any stage thereafter as a result of the inclusion of the Kings;
* That Saru, as custodian of the South African leg of the tournament, will ensure that the Kings are included without prejudice to any of the existing franchises.
However, Peters insisted that no such concession can be made in light of the current tournament model being sold to broadcast and commercial partners until 2015 and the conference system being unable to function with an uneven number of teams.
‘The reality is that expansion of Super Rugby is not possible at this stage,’ Peters told keo.co.za. ‘Before their inclusion, the Kings’ aspirations were discussed in detail. How they are accommodated is a domestic issue for South Africa. And while we are always open to dialogue on this issue, it is incumbent upon them to make the necessary adjustments to facilitate the Kings’ inclusion.’
Peters added that they had explored a wide range of format options prior to settling on the current model and that there simply was no viable alternative to it at present. He added that New Zealand and Australia, the latter recording a 41% increase in television viewership in 2011, were opposed to any change in the format.
‘The Reds won the competition last year and I know other Australian franchises feel confident they can replicate that success, so it is understandable that there would be resistance to this idea from them. New Zealand are pleased with the model. They are realistic about the number of franchises they can field before the quality of those franchises is compromised,’ he said.
‘Also, we’re in year two of Super Rugby. The tournament in this guise is still in its infancy. It is nonsensical on a number of levels to alter its form.’
A final decision on the matter is expected on 31 March once all discussions have concluded.
By Ryan Vrede
Read Mark Keohane’s view on this issue here
Follow Ryan on Twitter
Follow SA Rugby magazine on Twitter
370 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 3 [4] 5 6 7 8 » Show All
14 Feb 2012, 13:20 pm
Cane,
SA currently brings in about 70% of the broadcasting revenue generated by Super Rugby.
Explain to me how NZ & OZ can continue to function without that kind of money?
If the SA franchises walks, you guys are deep in the 5h17 pal.
Boland, Griquas, Border… You think anyone in SA will want to watch them play?
If Hoskins grows a pair of balls, SANZAR will have no choice but to include the Kings.
14 Feb 2012, 13:21 pm
@Tacitus-119: Yep, keo and HSM are wading in murky water here.
Through sheer repetition they hope that this constant conflating of the Lions financial troubles with the Kings’ dirty promise will somehow convince people that one somehow involves the other.
Kicking the Lions out at a time like this almost certainly spells their death. But keo will have us believe that their financial misfortune is linked to the Kings inclusion.
14 Feb 2012, 13:22 pm
150
14 Feb 2012, 13:23 pm
Ok. So the consensus is that basically we have 2 camps here: One camp that sees the Kings inclusion as politically motivated, quota inspired and excused by the myth that millions of people in the Eastern Cape play rugby with a fanaticism that would make Che Guevara look like a Sunday school teacher, even though they cannot make the premier division with said player base, losing out to the Boland (even though any time a player with a glimmer of talent pops up in the Boland team they are snatched up into the WP structure) in the last season but if they get chosen they will then have the money to stock their team with players from other provinces and compete. See the irony of the last part? The other camp consist of Keo, who had an obvious interest and will start to punt this agenda even harder in the future, and Transie, who appears to be in this club but hasn’t come out and explained his point of view explicitly, preferring to rather hint at things through cleverly aimed questions directed at other bloggers’ posts. Do I have it right? Missed out on anyone??
14 Feb 2012, 13:24 pm
@hendrikp-151:
Oh yes,
And while SA brings in near 70% of the broadcast revenue, they are forced to share it equally with NZ & Australia.
Now the Australasian teams want to take it even further, by wanting to share the revenue generated from ticket sales. Want an even bigger share of the pie because they can’t get people to watch, unlike SA, where supporters actually turn out to watch their respective teams play (excluding the Lions & Cheetahs).
Super Rugby won’t last forever. SARU would be better off teaming up with Europe where they could make more money.
I long for that day.
14 Feb 2012, 13:29 pm
@stormersboy-154: I see that the Keo dwarf is putting all of his spin into the Kings … he is having a Twitter war with Lions fans. Little does the little man know he is in danger of a moering of note – next time he steps off the Gautrain.
14 Feb 2012, 13:30 pm
@stormersboy-154: Not quite. There is a history of Black rugby in the Eastern Cape which is largely unknown by the white population in SA.
14 Feb 2012, 13:30 pm
@RL-156: Pfft. He’ll merely step through everyone’s legs and they won’t spot him at knee height.
14 Feb 2012, 13:30 pm
@Transformation-142:
i for one agree with you on this issue. the spears should get a shot at super rugby and whether they do well or not in at least the first 5 years is immaterial. this may very well either strengthen or weaken eastern cape rugby in the long run so lets go through the process of finding out.
an unintended consequence is that it may also in the long run strengthen and improve the health of the big five unions as a whole (i really just mean the lions and cheetahs when i say this) if they have to deal with the threat of relegation at the end of a season as opposed to just happily rueing the fact they did not win the title (again).
sure, there will be the pain of sitting out a year for one of the unions but the gain will be four very, very hungry unions doing all they can on the field every season to avoid going down. this should make them competetive as ffuck against the oz and nz teams as much as they get their backs up for the local derbies.
who knows maybe the format will even be extended in the future to accomadate six sa teams, so the danger years may only be about 4 or 5.
14 Feb 2012, 13:33 pm
@hendrikp-151:
SA brings NO revenue to NZ or Australia.
NEWSCORP does.
And yes NewsCorp makes many millions on-selling TV rights to SA broadcasters. As it does on-selling rights to the USA, Japan, Europe etc…………..
SA also take a larger slice of the pie than their other two Sanzar partners.
Now a smaller pie……………………………………..with a 50/50 split may not be a totally bad option.
14 Feb 2012, 13:34 pm
@Transformation-137:
Transie, even if the Kings did play super rugby with these talented schoolboys that the region apparently keeps churning out, how long will it be before the players get tired of getting dicked every weekend and want out of the Kings setup anyway?
The most talented of them will want to move and will get snapped up by one of the bigger unions anyway. a) for the quality of rugby and b) for the bigger paycheck.
Labour Economics 101
14 Feb 2012, 13:35 pm
@Michael-157: Oh ok. So then it would be fair to say that they are fanatical, but just not very good at it??
Isn’t sport a meritocracy?
14 Feb 2012, 13:38 pm
@hendrikp-155:
Do you really think the Euro Trash would want to Team up with the SARU, given the current and almost continuoues state of flux that SA Rugby is in?
14 Feb 2012, 13:39 pm
NZ and Aus need SA. Its about time we pushed our weight around. Greg Peters is a muppet. If the Kings cannot be incorporated then I am all for a boycott. At long last all SA teams are standing together. Why continue in a competition when it benefits NZ and Australia at the expense of SA? Anyway there is more money in the Northern Hemisphere….so maybe its time we looked north.
Guys stop bitching about the Kings. If given the opportunity to compete then they will be competitive. Sport is a business now…..the teams that get the business end right thrive. That is why the Bulls excel and the Stormers do not. And SA has more than enough talent to sustain 6 teams.
14 Feb 2012, 13:41 pm
@hendrikp-155: “SARU would be better off teaming up with Europe”
Sounds like Europe waits with open arms to add into their own crammed season and packed, well established competitions another participants from other part of the globe.
And then SARU would tell them to include Cheeky Kings into Heineken cup for good measure.
Do not get me wrong, I would love to see best SA teams competing with the best of Europe on regular basis, to see how the likes of Toulouse or Munster or Leicester would fare at Loftus or Kings Park, or Bullies at Thormond Park etc. etc. I really would.
I just do not see on what is based that nude optimism that Europe are waiting and all that is required for eternal happiness is to arrive up north and announce here we are, welcome us. I’m afraid they ain’t waiting at all.
Except for fresh valuable imports for THEIR OWN teams.
14 Feb 2012, 13:41 pm
@XV-164: “Anyway there is more money in the Northern Hemisphere….so maybe its time we looked north. ”
Ditto.
14 Feb 2012, 13:42 pm
@cane-148:
i dont think bakkies will ever play for the bulls again. he will see out his rugby at toulon or perhaps japan or somewhere arbitrary if not toulon. you must remember he had a shaky love/hate relationship with the bbc and was forced to see out his contract in court at one stage.
i do however believe he will play for the springboks again. i believe this in my heart of hearts.
14 Feb 2012, 13:44 pm
@Nils-166: as I say Sport is big business now. If SA’s participation makes more business sense than they will be incorporated by the North. Simple economics.
14 Feb 2012, 13:45 pm
I don’t care as long as luke gets to play super rugby.
14 Feb 2012, 13:45 pm
@stormersboy-162: There is no level playing field at the moment, including comparative access to facilities. The steps being taken in the Eastern Cape by Cheeky and Solomon are in the right direction and will pay dividends in the long term. What’s needed is more cash and what better way to attract crowds and sponsors than playing in the Super competition. The Kings will come right and their player base has the potential to be bigger than any other region. What’s happening now is protectionism by other provinces.
14 Feb 2012, 13:46 pm
@XV-164: Stormers have thrived despite the best efforts of the administrators.
14 Feb 2012, 13:48 pm
@XV-164:
Keep pushing XV.
This could well be a very good thing for World Rugby.
“Legal Isolation”.
14 Feb 2012, 13:50 pm
the english version of this would be for accrington stanley to be promoted to the premier division simply because most of the tory cabinet come from there.
and newcastle to be demoted.
14 Feb 2012, 13:51 pm
I see Keo’s twitter page is a veritable bukkake fest. The little guy, on his knees, taking shots from all comers, and gleefully gobbling it up. He is so full of it when it comes to the Kings’ inclusion that no rational person would question his dodgy motives.
14 Feb 2012, 13:52 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-167:
Your devotion to The Thug a beautiful thing au revoir.
(and without being callous, trite or sarcastic……………………………….I can partially understand your admiration).
14 Feb 2012, 13:52 pm
@cane-163:
Keep telling yourself that bud.
@Nils-165:
It would mean changing the structure of the European season, but something that could easily be done.
Can’t see the top European clubs declining an invitation to play in a tournament featuring the best they, and SA have to offer. More money for all.
14 Feb 2012, 13:52 pm
@Michael-171: fair point Michael. Imagine if they were properly run?
Cane sadly geographical location and numbers will always be a liability for NZ sport. Think with your head and not your heart.
In addition, did the NZ rugby board not threaten to boycott internationals based upon what they deemed their fare share of the pie? kettle black?
14 Feb 2012, 13:52 pm
@XV-168: Right. Of course, SARU may try this and let’s see what happens.
14 Feb 2012, 13:53 pm
@cane-160:
Have fun trying to get big money out of NewsCorp when SA no longer participates.
NZ domestic rugby will go down the drain.
14 Feb 2012, 13:54 pm
@hendrikp-176: I just haven’t seen any indications in Europe about willingness changing things to acommodate guests from the south, they look pretty comfortable in status quo.
Let’s just wait for that SA offer and see what happens.
14 Feb 2012, 13:54 pm
@charo-173: what about the American version of the Green Bay Packers? Small town and it won how many Super Bowls? But then again Americans know how to run professional sports.
14 Feb 2012, 13:55 pm
That the Kings proposed inclusion is politically motivated and driven is a given unless you happen to live on the far side of the moon and have only just started receiving news from Earth. Whichever way you look at it, it is so straight-forwardly wrong on so many levels. To those Kiwis and Aussies who comment on this site and who seem to be supporting this move even if it means that one of the other 5 established sides miss out altogether, just how do you justify your thinking? Would this be tolerated in your countries? Would YOU tolerate such a ridiculous situation occuring in your countries? Surely, the first step must be for the Kings to enter the Currie Cup and prove themselves there before moving to the next level. All decent South Africans no matter what colour should strongly be opposing such unfair practices in the not-so-new-SA.
14 Feb 2012, 13:55 pm
@Michael-170: Boet you’re an educated man.
Stop reading the Watson family website.
14 Feb 2012, 13:56 pm
I just heard Keo on Radio 702, quite vocal for a little man. Not quite sure what he has against the Lions . He talked to the presenter like a charna and used words like “screwed” etc. What a tosser!
14 Feb 2012, 13:57 pm
Tonight my beautiful Lions will feast on Kings……………
The Lions will use their friendly match against a team made up of South Western District Eagles and Border Bulldogs players in George on Tuesday to give some players valuable game-time.
With less than two weeks before their first Super Rugby clash Lions coach John Mitchell will use this match to give some of his his frontline combinations an opportunity to gel as well as taking a look at some fringe players.
Flyhalf Elton Jantjies and inside centre Alwyn Hollenbach, who were so impressive in the Currie Cup last year, are both fighting fit and ready to go with Butch James on the bench and Doppies La Grange playing at outside centre.
Jantjies will be expected to resume the combination with scrumhalf Michael Bondesio and captain and No.8 Joshua Strauss that yielded such rich rewards in the Currie Cup while elsewhere in the team other players will be fighting for a place in the Super Rugby squad.
With the first-choice lock pairing of veterans Franco van der Merwe and Wikus van Heerden being rested for this match Ruan Botha and Hendrik Roodt will get a chance to start this game, with Stephan Greef on the bench, and all three will be hungry to make an impression on the coach.
In the front row former Maties captain Callie Visagie will want to show that he can slot in well between first-choice props Pat Cilliers and JC Janse van Rensburg, while current UJ hooker Francois du Toit is likely to be given a chance to show what he can offer off the bench.
Johan Lerm will be coaching the Eagles/Bulldogs combination and he is well aware that his side are up against a formidable outfit.
He told this website: “This is a great opportunity for our guys to play against the best in the country and we know that we are in for a serious test.”
Lerm has picked a side that is very similar to the team that ran the Cheetahs close in East London a couple of weeks ago and he is confident that they will step up to the challenge once again in George.
“We are playing such a strong team that there is no need to motivate my players. Hopefully we can build on the performance against the Cheetahs and improve on that.
“As long as we stay positive and play as a team rather than a group of individuals then we should give a good account of ourselves against the Lions’ stars,” added Lerm.
Lerm explained that on top of being familiar with each other from the Cheetahs game the team has been training together for a week, and are hoping for good support from the locals in George who he is sure will be out in force to see some of the big names in the Lions team.
The teams:
Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Doppies la Grange, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 James Kamana, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Joshua Strauss (captain), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg. Replacements: 16 Francois du Toit, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Stephan Greeff, 19 Doppies le Roux, 20 Tian Meyer, 21 Butch James, 22 Lionel Mapoe.
Eagles/Bulldogs: 15 Mzwandile Stick, 14 Vuyo Mboto, 13 Kempie Rautenbach, 12 Elrich van Vuuren, 11 Alshawn Bock, 10 Cecil Dumond, 9 Johan Herbst, 8 Michael Vermaak, 7 Gareth Krause, 6 Lindon Hartnick, 5 Grant le Roux, 4 Lubabalo Mpyanda, 3 Dean Hopp, 2 Matthew Taljaard, 1 Jean Rossouw. Replacements: 16 Ruan Roberts, 17 Byron Schmidt, 18 Renier Schoeman, 19 Nonani Tonga, 20 Lubabalo Mzwakali, 21 Renier van Rooyen, 22 Monty Dumond.
Date: Tuesday, February 14 Venue: Outeniqua Park, George Kick-off: 18.00 (16.00 GMT) Referee: Marius Jonker Assistant referees: Cobus Wessels, Dilbert November
14 Feb 2012, 13:57 pm
Very funny column by Gary Boshoff on Sport24 on how similiar Heyneke and Divvy are as coaches.
Scary thing is, I dont think hes being even remotely sarcastic. He actaully believes they are similiar.
14 Feb 2012, 14:06 pm
@cane-175:
thanks cane…
14 Feb 2012, 14:07 pm
@John Galt-186:
Relax and have a read.
I wouldn’t put them in the same boat, but some of the things he says are true.
Meyer is in danger of putting too much trust in senior players… As a representative team, all players in SA should be rewarded for their performance, and that alone.
I do think a player like Morne Steyn has a part to play though, and am reasonably confident that if he doesn’t take it too far, literally making all the Bulls into Springboks, then he should be successful in implementing a game plan that will have us playing rugby in the right areas and winning more often then not.
14 Feb 2012, 14:10 pm
@Lions_Soutie-184: really now.
14 Feb 2012, 14:11 pm
@RL-185:
is it being televised?
14 Feb 2012, 14:13 pm
@XV-181: Packers are unique team and they had the luxury of once-in-a-lifetime Lombardi.
14 Feb 2012, 14:17 pm
@RL-185: Could you please keep us updating about Golden Lions v Cheeky Kings game?
14 Feb 2012, 14:17 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-190: nope the carnage will not be televised.
14 Feb 2012, 14:24 pm
@Nils-192: I’ll do what I can.
14 Feb 2012, 14:29 pm
@RL-193:
thats too bad. it takes on a whole new dimension in light of these super rugby shenanigans going on.
14 Feb 2012, 14:30 pm
@RL-194: What is the kick-off time?
14 Feb 2012, 14:33 pm
@cane-160:
Do your sums. One third less games = 2/3 revenue divided by 2 =? Your cut doesn’t get any bigger except as a percentage of a smaller pot. That’s not counting the loss of the biggest market, SA..
14 Feb 2012, 14:33 pm
Gary Boshoff is almost as big a tosser as Mark Keohane.
14 Feb 2012, 14:35 pm
Date: Tuesday, February 14 Venue: Outeniqua Park, George Kick-off: 18.00 (16.00 GMT) Referee: Marius Jonker Assistant referees: Cobus Wessels, Dilbert Novemb
14 Feb 2012, 14:41 pm
@Tacitus-198: Nonsense. Keo’s at least a foot shorter.
Pages: « 1 2 3 [4] 5 6 7 8 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.