Puma cubs looks set to play in Currie Cup
GETTING quality game time for their younger or developing players on the way up has always been a problem for Argentina and it appears the UAR are again looking towards South Africa to fill that hole.
For four years the Pampas XV competed in the Vodacom Cup and many of those players went on to start at RWC2015. That project ended in 2013 although the Pampas did then compete in the Pacific Challenge Cup in 2014 and 2015 winning on both occasions.
Now Argentina are looking to field a team in the Currie Cup, a competition that could do with a shot in the arm and an increased profile. The intention for them is to join next year.
“We are in an advanced process that should be followed by a logical decision by SA Rugby,” says UAR President Marcelo Rodriguez, below.
“But thus far we have received support and goodwill from them. On our side we are still studying a series of questions related to the logistics and the financial impact.
“We are working hard to have a financial model that will enable us to participate. We are very optimistic”
After a period of doom and gloom in Argentinian Rugby it’s been all good news over the last week or so.
Not only did the Pumas produce their best display since RWC2015 to beat South Africa with something to spare in Mendoza but there also comes confirmation that the professional Liga Americana de Rugby is set to start in 2020.
The professional league will involve two Argentine teams, two from Brazil and Uruguay and one each from Chile and Paraguay.
Argentinian players will be able to play for any of the franchises, massively increasing the number of professional players available to the Pumas.