South African clubs eye Europe

South African sides could play in the Champions Cup as soon as 2022, with SA Rugby examining all options in the wake of New Zealand’s decision to quit Super Rugby next year.

The move would leave South African sides without a competition to play in for 2021, having been part of Super Rugby since the mid1990s. SA Rugby has long considered the benefits of a move to play in Europe, including a more favourable time difference. A source told

The Daily Telegraph: “All bets are off now. We are examining all options.”

Two South African franchises, the Kings and the Cheetahs, are already part of the Guinness Pro14, which could expand to become the Pro18. Neither the Kings nor Cheetahs are eligible for the Champions

Cup but that would be set to change if all of South Africa’s professional sides were involved.

The South African teams would need to play in a 2021-22 Pro18 season to qualify for the 2022-23 Champions Cup.

New Zealand Rugby yesterday announced its intention to leave Super Rugby following a threemonth report into the national game, with the NZR board eager to create a new professional competition next year off the back of the success of Super Rugby Aotearoa, the inter-provincial competition that has taken place following the cancellation of the 2020 Super Rugby season.

The new competition proposed by NZR would be based in Australasia and feature significant Pacific Islands representation.