Departing De Bruin backs Super Rugby

Super Rugby needs to be preserved at all costs as a breeding ground for rising stars, believes outgoing Lions assistant coach Neil de Bruin.

There has been plenty of speculation surrounding the future of the southern hemisphere’s premier competition since being halted by the coronavirus pandemic in March. With New Zealand and Australia launching their own competitions from next month, South Africa’s situation is still unclear in the midst of the Level 4 restrictions of the national lockdown.

“I have read a lot about New Zealand and Australia being involved in another competition and that it could have been the last of Super Rugby in it’s current form,” said De Bruin, who will join Johan Ackermann at the Red Hurricanes in Japan on 1 June, providing border restrictions have been lifted.

“But that would be sad, it was a major competition to be part of and to play with New Zealand, Australian, Argentinian and Japanese teams in one competition is amazing.”

De Bruin says his former employer remains fully committed to the current model and just hoped the competition could resume as soon as possible.

“The structure might not have been clear to some people out there, but I don’t understand what the problem was. I felt it is a great competition,” he said.

“I think rugby throughout the world needs more viewers and it’s not only a Super Rugby problem.”

De Bruin, the son of former Lions coach Swys, said the local franchise would deal with the cards that had been dealt to them and would consider the possibility of joining a European competition should the opportunity present itself down the line.

There have been plenty of rumours suggesting the four local Super Rugby franchises might join the Cheetahs and Kings in the Pro14.

“I know it will be easier in terms of travel, time zones and jetlag.

“But a lot needs to happen before we’ll know what such a competition would look like.

“But it’s best not to think too much about that,” De Bruin said.

“In the minds of the South African rugby public, Super Rugby must go ahead first and until something drastic happens they shouldn’t have to lose sleep over that,” he concluded.