South African teams to exit Super Rugby to play in Europe

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has confirmed it will withdraw its teams from future editions of the Super Rugby competition in favour of playing in Europe's PRO14 league.

The move, which could come into effect as soon as next year if an agreement is reached with PRO Rugby Championship, which runs the PRO14, was made after a vote of SARU's provincial unions.

When finalised it will mean the top four teams in South Africa - the Bulls, Stormers, Sharks and Lions - will play their domestic rugby against clubs from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy.

At this stage it would not see the Rugby World Cup winning Springboks withdraw from playing Tests against New Zealand, Australia and Argentina in the four-nation Rugby Championship. However, South Africa's participation in the Rugby Championship might also be reconsidered once its top domestic teams' seasons align with the Northern Hemisphere.

While SARU’s move will see it again access to increased revenue streams from competing in the European competition, it blamed the move on what it called New Zealand Rugby's "unilateral" decision to organise its own domestic competition, and the potential trans-Tasman competition involving Australian and other teams for next year.

While Super Rugby’s calendar has been dramatically impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, SARU claimed it had not been consulted on the trans-Tasman competition.

In a statement, SARU Chief Executive, Jurie Roux advised “our members are excited about the prospect of closer alignment with PRO Rugby Championship and seeking a Northern Hemisphere future, but we would not have been taking this decision but for actions elsewhere.

"We will advise our SANZAAR partners of the general meeting's decision."

Despite the comments blaming New Zealand, there have been strong rumours for years that South Africa was seeking to leave Super Rugby and play in European competitions, given similar time zones and the potential of increased income.

South Africa may still have one team in a reduced future Super Rugby tournament, with plans to negotiate with the competition's governing body SANZAAR to put the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs in any new version of the tournament.

The Cheetahs have been part of the PRO14 since 2017 after being cut from Super Rugby but will go the other way and rejoin Super Rugby if an agreement is reached between SARU and SANZAAR.

Image courtesy of the PRO Rugby Championship.