SA Rugby chief concerned Champions Cup ‘criticism’ could lead to Super Rugby scenario

The South African teams have frequently emphasized how difficult it is to compete at their peak in the greatest club event in Europe because of the travel involved.

With the teams also having to go back and forth during the United Rugby Championship (URC) season, it has made it particularly difficult for the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers.

Jake White, who has criticized the additional travel, defended his choice to field a smaller team against the Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup quarterfinal last season.

Following the Sharks’ crushing loss to the Leicester Tigers last Saturday, John Plumtree recently voiced his opinion candidly by leaving many of his best players at home.

“I want to compete on the largest stage here with our best Sharks team. After Leicester defeated them 56–17, Plumtree remarked, “I can understand their [the fans’] frustration.”

“I want to go out there and give Leicester a good hiding in front of their home crowd. Don’t worry about that.

“We’re all competitive. But the reality is we’ve got to look after these athletes. They are not robots. They don’t front up every week. And right now, the South African boys are treated like robots.”

Oberholzer adopted a different stance, cautioning representatives of the South African franchises against making remarks of that like because he fears they could offend the European teams.

The CEO of SA Rugby believes that despite being kicked out of Super Rugby in 2020, the URC and, consequently, the EPCR, have given them a chance.

That is the reality. Our teams want to play in professional leagues and the United Rugby Championship and European competitions offer exactly that,” he told Rapport.

“The South African clubs have to live with the fact that they are competing in two competitions at the same time. It does not help our cause to be so critical.

“Remember, there are clubs in the European competitions [Champions Cup and Challenge Cup] that don’t want us there. We have to be careful not to shoot ourselves in the foot by constantly criticising a competition that we participate in by invitation. After all, it is our lifeblood.

“One must not forget that Super Rugby kicked us out. If it wasn’t for the URC and European competitions, we would only have Currie Cup rugby to play now.”

South Africa’s move to the URC – despite its logistical issues – appears to have benefited all parties with the league growing since the inclusion of the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers.

“The URC works well for us. There is no plan to leave it,” Oberholzer said.