Sharks Mzamo Majola (2nd-R) celebrates his second half try during the Super Rugby match between New Zealand’s Hurricanes and South Africa’s Sharks at Sky Stadium in Wellington on February 15, 2020. (Photo by Grant Down / AFP)
New Zealand reveal plans to ditch SA teams from Super Rugby in 2021
New Zealand will go without SA Super Rugby teams in a new tournament starting in 2021.
Sharks Mzamo Majola (2nd-R) celebrates his second half try during the Super Rugby match between New Zealand’s Hurricanes and South Africa’s Sharks at Sky Stadium in Wellington on February 15, 2020. (Photo by Grant Down / AFP)
New Zealand is planning a trans-Tasman franchise competition, which will see teams from South Africa and Argentina excluded from Super Rugby as early as 2021.
Since the advent of professional rugby, South African teams have competed alongside those from Down Under, with the Jaguares from Argentina entering into the fray from 2016.
South Africa dumped out of Super Rugby
According to a statement issued out by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) on Friday, the body is looking to introduce a revamped competition featuring the five Kiwi Super Rugby franchises, two to four from Australia, and one from the Pacific Islands.
NZR chief executive Mark Robinson says this is to establish a competition that would appeal to the fans.
“We want teams that are competitive and that fans will want to watch go head to head, week in, week out.”
Mark Robinson, New Zealand Rugby CEO
Robinson says the current global climate, brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has played a role in NZR’s plans, with the success of Super Rugby Aotearoa boding well for the future.
“The focus is now on confirming the licenses for New Zealand’s five current Super Rugby clubs and that work is now underway. We have highly valued the partnership with these five clubs over the last 25 years of the competition and want that to continue,” he said
Mark Robinson, New Zealand Rugby CEO
Where to next for SA Rugby
Both New Zealand and Australia have managed to resume play since the pandemic outbreak, but the game in South Africa and Argentina has been halted since March.
Robinson expressed sympathy for the two countries.
“We have a huge amount of sympathy for what’s happening to rugby in Argentina and South Africa and their inability to play at the moment and the uncertainty that’s creating,” he said.
Mark Robinson, New Zealand Rugby CEO
This means that South Africa will have to consider its options going forward, with a move to Europe a strong possibility.
SA Rugby says it has been kept informed of NZR’s plans.
“As part of the Sanzaar joint venture, we will be examining how the mooted new competition will fit into the existing contracted competitions.”
SA Rugby
Chief executive, Jurie Roux will hold a press conference to address the issue on Tuesday, 21 July.
