Steeped in history and tradition, the Currie Cup dates back to 1891 and remains the most prestigious prize in South African domestic rugby. Photo: SA Rugby website
MyPlayers vs. SARU: Why the Currie Cup hangs in the balance
SARU and MyPlayers clash over player welfare in a heated dispute that could jeopardize the Currie Cup and leave many players unemployed.
Steeped in history and tradition, the Currie Cup dates back to 1891 and remains the most prestigious prize in South African domestic rugby. Photo: SA Rugby website
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) and the national players’ union, MyPlayers, are locked in a heated dispute. The heart of the matter lies in a fundamental disagreement over player welfare and the length of the playing season.
Broken Promises and Conflicting Interests Fuel Standoff
MyPlayers has referred the matter to formal arbitration, according to a letter obtained by rugby365.com. The main point of contention is SARU’s insistence that players should play for periods longer than 12 months, up to 20 months without rest.
The MyPlayers letter stated, “Provision should be made in the settlement agreement for players to play effectively for up to 20 months without rest.”
This stance contradicts the initial agreement that allowed players to ‘rest’ individually during the Currie Cup, which has moved to a new window between July and September.
MyPlayers Prioritises Player Welfare
MyPlayers has taken a firm stance, prioritising player welfare above all else. The letter emphasises that playing players for longer than 12 months without rest is not supported by conditioning experts or in line with the draft World Rugby player load guidelines.
“The practice of playing players for longer than 12 months without rest is nowhere applied in world rugby, nor supported by conditioning experts we consulted with and or in line with the draft World Rugby player load guidelines,” the letter stated.
The letter also highlights the increased demands on South African players since the start of the United Rugby Championship. These include shorter annual rest periods, a 38% increase in international provincial games, a 15% increase in national player load, and a 300% increase in international travel, often in economy class.
Potential Consequences and High Stakes
If MyPlayers wins the arbitration case, the Currie Cup may move back to an earlier window. This risks the loss of a major sponsor for the tournament. SARU officials have warned that if MyPlayers succeeds and the Currie Cup cannot continue, many players could face unemployment.
One official told the Afrikaans weekly Rapport newspaper, “They [MyPlayers] keep listening to the top 30 to 50 players, but what about the rest? If MyPlayers is successful and all players have to rest in an eight-week block at the same time, the Currie Cup cannot continue.”
Despite the potential consequences, MyPlayers remains committed to player welfare. They emphasise the importance of the Currie Cup while prioritising the well-being of the players. The negotiations began in November last year. Now, arbitration will decide the outcome, with both parties firmly entrenched in their positions.
