Springboks need TV deal big bucks
Sealing a broadcast deal that will secure SA’s participation in next season’s PRO16 tournament has emerged as a significant building block in the Springboks’ much altered preparations for next year’s series against the British & Irish Lions.
The series has taken on even greater significance after SA Rugby opted not to send the Springboks to this year’s Rugby Championship with the income from the Lions series likely to be the domestic game’s lifeboat. If crowds are allowed it will be a commercial success. An operator noted this week the hospitality seats could have been sold twice over had they been available.
Helping to keep domestic game afloat
For the Springboks to be competitive in that series, however, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has to maximise the minimal time at their disposal ahead of the tour.
With Springbok Tests shelved for this year, the country's top players will have to be knocked into shape in the revamped PRO16 competition which insiders in Europe say will kick off in March.
SA Rugby however still needs to put a broadcast deal in place that will allow them to retain the country’s top talent.
The industry has gone through extensive cuts, with savings on its payroll, in particular, helping to keep the domestic game afloat. But should players, especially Rugby World Cup winning Springboks, still be subjected to those cuts in the new year they might seek playing opportunities elsewhere.
The industry cuts are effective until December 31 but the insider said it is unlikely that they will roll over into the new year.
“The industry won’t make collective cutbacks beyond that point. It’s been cut to the bone. What you may find is that the teams all cut back but that they take a different approach. The Bulls, for instance, have two strong backers and they may be able to absorb some of the hits for now.
“Instead of continuing cutbacks on the players’ wage bill, the Sharks have found other nonessential functions where they can make a saving.”
The source said securing a broadcast deal was key to the retention of talent. Should SA Rugby fail to get the broadcast deal they desire the players may agitate for another 21day window in which to be released from their local contracts.
The source told the Sunday Times that SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux and board member Louis von Zeuner were “working day and night” to try to get a broadcast deal done.
Even if there is a fresh exodus of players, they are of course still eligible for selection against the Lions.
However, it will complicate matters for Erasmus as he lays plans for combat in July next year. For the smooth running of training camps he will require the bulk of his squad to reside here.
In the absence of game time in Test matches those camps will be crucial in finetuning the Boks to a state of readiness.
For the moment Super Rugby Unlocked and the Currie Cup will have to restore match sharpness to the country's top talent before an envisaged six-week break starting in the last week of January. They will however have to crank it up a level after that when the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers are unleashed in the PRO16.