Saru stalls on Super Rugby dilemma

Saru stalls on Super Rugby dilemma

17 May 2012

Saru will hold a second meeting with the South African Super Rugby franchises on Monday as they negotiate a solution to accommodate the Southern Kings.

Representatives of South Africa’s five existing Super Rugby franchises (the Bulls, Cheetahs, Lions, Sharks and Stormers), the Kings, the Saru presidency and management met in Johannesburg on Thursday to discuss next year’s participation in Super Rugby.

With Sanzar only allowing five teams to be entered in each conference and Saru promising the Kings a spot in the competition in 2013, one of the five current participating teams needs to make way.

Saru confirmed their initial proposal of introducing automatic relegation this season, which would see the Lions fall out according to the current log standings. But a second meeting will now be held as all parties will try to find a way to accommodate all six franchises without ‘causing damage’.

‘Everyone was agreed that we must secure a solution that does not damage any of the existing franchises,’ said Saru CEO Jurie Roux. ‘It is a complex issue with no easy answers and we are determined to leave no stone unturned in finding that answer. A number of options were discussed but there is currently no preferred alternative to recommend to the general council.’

Roux added that a decision on the Super Rugby participation dilemma will be finalised with the Saru general council on 13 July.


108 Comments

Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All

  • 101.grant10: Reply to this comment
    18 May 2012, 08:24 am

    bra dit gaan nie oor politiek nie, Lions is k@k en klaar!!! as Lions gewen het en goed gedoen het, het jy ‘n argument gehad nog, nou moet jy mar net stil bly

  • 102.vasteses: Reply to this comment
    18 May 2012, 11:39 am

    @grant10(grant100)-101:

    dit gaan oor politiek ja die lions is pateties. maar gaan die kings beter doen. Ek twyfel
    die vraag is hoekom is die Kings n Super spot aangebied in die eerste plek.

  • 103.vasteses: Reply to this comment
    18 May 2012, 11:47 am

    ek dink nie die kings gaan beterdoen nie. Rugby gaan baie oor kultuur ook en die mighties het op die oomblik ook maar n verloor kultuur soos die Welpies.

  • 104.roobarb2: Reply to this comment
    18 May 2012, 11:58 am

    ok, so lets have the merit argument. what in the last DECADE have the Lions done to deserve staying in the Super Rugby competition?

    lets forget for a minute who will replace them. Are you saying the Lions deserve a spot at the table?

    If a ref had performed like the lions he would have been fired years ago, or lynched.

  • 105.roobarb2: Reply to this comment
    18 May 2012, 12:10 pm

    alternatively, the question could be asked why the eastern cape DOESNT have some super rugby?
    this area provides a steady flow of talent to the bigger unions, who have more money to buy them through sponsorship deals and TV revenue because of, amongst others things, Super Rugby.

    So some cash, a sponsor or two and suddenly you have a viable team. Look at the Rebels. They were **** at first, granted, but look at them now. They just beat the Crusaders.

    Did the Rebels win any regional or provincial championships before Super Rugby? No they didnt. But now the Kings, who are NOT the EP team, must win the Vodacom Cup before they get an opportunity? What would that prove?

    Which team currently has the Currie Cup in their trophy cupboard? Ah, the Lions. and has their success in the CC translated to a brilliant Super 15?

    no. dear lord no.

    I dont agree with how SARU has handled the whole affair from the start and from an administrative point of view, i think the Lions have been unfairly treated. I agree that they should make way for another team, but they could have had better information from the start.

    I do however feel that Super Rugby in the Eastern Cape will be good for SA rugby in the long run.

  • 106.TooMuchRugby: Reply to this comment
    18 May 2012, 14:17 pm

    @roobarb2(roobarb2)-105: Agreed! The commentators on site seems to confuse CurrieCup and SuperRugby a lot. Good example with the Rebels.
    I also think the Eastern Cape is a hotbed of untapped rugby talent and have been providing to the other unions a lot in the past.

    Go Kings Go!

  • 107.YoMama: Reply to this comment
    18 May 2012, 14:58 pm

    Kill the Lions

  • 108.hensopper1: Reply to this comment
    18 May 2012, 16:58 pm

    OK clever guy Dusky. Sorry for making you so cross tough guy.

Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

Have your say

You must be logged in to post a comment.