Champions Saracens storm into another European final
GARY Gold predicts more South African stars will follow Jan Serfontein’s example by quitting the country because of the ongoing “shambles” surrounding Super Rugby.
Bulls centre Serfontein caused consternation in South Africa last week after revealing he would not renew his contract, despite having no new club lined up.
Sharks No.9 Cobus Reinach has already signed for Northampton, where he will join countrymen Nic Groom and David Ribbans, while a further 80 South African players will flood the market this August with the likely demise of the Kings and Cheetahs.
Former Boks coach Gold, currently acting as interim boss at Worcester, despairs at a situation he describes as a “huge concern for South African rugby”.
Gold told TRP: “No doubt you’ll see a further player exodus and anybody with a British passport or family connection will be looking to go to Europe. You’re looking at 70-80 people potentially out of work later this year and, as we’ve seen with Jan Serfontein and David Ribbans, players are casting their net wide.
“David is lucky to end up at a club of Northampton’s stature, while others will look to France and Japan. It’s not ideal for South Africa to lose promising young guys.”
Gold blames Super Rugby administrators for allowing the competition to become bloated, but who are now presiding over cutbacks that will see three teams disappear.
He said: “Super Rugby has been poorly managed for six years. The competition is laughable; you don’t play strength v strength and few people understand the structure. How can you sell a product where TV ratings and crowds are falling rapidly?
“There’s a lack of integrity around the competition and guys in suits have been thinking about dollars rather than the product.
“Australian rugby has been unable to sustain it and that’s shown in the poor results of the national team. It’s also badly affected South Africa. They’ve finally been forced to do something and sadly, it’s probably right we’re losing some teams.”