South Africa set for early Super Rugby exit?

Rumblings are increasing in South Africa of a Super Rugby exit with the coronavirus crisis seen as an opportunity to push for change.

Proponents for change in the rugby republic believe the stalled Super Rugby season could be a tipping point for South African franchises to head to Europe.

A weekend report in the newspaper suggested the Lions, Bulls, Stormers and Sharks could join the PRO14 as early as next year but by 2023 at the latest.

South African outfits the Cheetahs and Kings are already participating in that tournament which involves teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy.

But the move could come at an expense with the report, only five South African sides would be included in the

European tournament that would be expanded to a PRO18.

They admit the major stumbling block would be South Africa’s existing Super Rugby broadcasting deal which has been extended through to 2026.

Sanzaar continues to push the gospel of a united front but in South Africa, where the Rapport report was followed by Sport24, ‘‘the mumblings of South African franchises cashing in for potentially more lucrative appearance fees in Europe has only gathered momentum’’.

There are other advantages to the potential financial gains with the better time differences suiting TV audiences and the reductions in travel that have long been a struggle for South African Super Rugby teams needing to compete in New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and Japan.