Saracens blow as they miss out on Boks clash
SARACENS will be denied the opportunity to stage a marquee fixture against world champions South Africa next season to alleviate the impact of being relegated from the Premiership.
The disgraced London club had revealed plans to arrange a series of glamour matches against foreign opposition — such as the Springboks — to take place during their 2020-21 campaign in the RFU Championship, the second division.
Saracens had ambitiously targeted a showpiece encounter with South Africa but Sportsmail understands that their hopes have been dashed, as the country’s union does not want to associate the Boks with what has become a tarnished sporting brand after the salary-cap scandal.
Last November, the South Africa team, captained by Siya Kolisi, won the World Cup by smashing England 32-12 in the final in Yokohama.
A fixture against the holders of the Webb Ellis Cup would have been a huge box-office attraction and a lucrative event for Saracens in terms of revenue, if it had taken place in London.
But the indications are that Saracens — who are being automatically relegated as punishment for salary-cap infringements — may have to look elsewhere for high-calibre opposition.
They may still have success in lining up matches against leading South African franchises such as the Stormers from Cape Town and the Durban-based Sharks, as part of a strategy to arrange encounters with Super Rugby sides.
Sources have indicated that the franchises are free to take on the English and European champions without the threat of their union vetoing the games.
Saracens are hoping that the prospect of marquee matches outside their league commitments will encourage leading players to stay next season instead of jumping ship.
This week, the club’s England hooker Jamie George, pictured, said: “There are talks of playing games in South Africa — pretty competitive games — and talk of playing against South Africa.
“Games like that will be essential while we’re playing in the Championship.”
| Daily Mail