SARU's tough call: Dump SANZAAR for Europe?
SPOTLIGHT: The issue of a global calendar and player welfare continues to be a contentious one and might force the South African Rugby Union to make bold decisions to protect its players.
Since South African Rugby broke away from Super Rugby and entered their ‘big four’ franchises (Bulls, Sharks, Lions and Stormers) into the Pro 14, which was later rebranded as the United Rugby Championship, there have been many positives in terms of time zones and commercial value.
But as with all good things in life, there is a negative side to it.
With the move to the URC, which spans from September to June, the top Springboks in those teams hardly get any rest and are exposed to an 11-month playing calendar.
Yes, there are mandatory rest periods (eight weeks in total) that these players’ unions have to enforce, but it’s not nearly enough.
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The talk of a global calendar has been just that so far….talk.
President of SARU Mark Alexander addressed the media on Thursday, marking the start of his final four-year term in office and discussed various topics and issues in the South African game.
One of the topics was the prospect of a global calendar.
Alexander voiced his frustration regarding the struggle for a solution and said that the topic has been a dead end for some time.
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“We had a meeting two months ago, and we’ve had this [global calendar] discussion for the last 14 years,” Alexander said.
“Every time, the same things get put on the table.
“The problem is, if you go with a blank sheet of paper, and everyone agrees that something must give, and everyone gives [sacrifices] something… from there, you can find a common calendar for club rugby and international rugby [which would be ideal].
“But that’s not happening. That’s why we [SARU] now have to take a look at it.
“We can’t wait for the higher-ups to make that decision because there are too many variables.”
Alexander admitted that tough calls will have to be made in the near future, as the current model is unsustainable regarding player welfare.
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“We as an organisation have to decide which [tournaments] we are going to play in and how we are going to create an opportunity for our players to enjoy some downtime.
“The players are our most important asset, but we’re burning them out.
“We will have to make some harsh calls at the end of July with our members.
“Whatever it may be, it will need to be done in the interest of saving the game,” Alexander concluded.
This could indicate an entire breakaway from SANZAAR and the Rugby Championship.
There have been rumours that New Zealand and Australia are against moving the Rugby Championship to the same window as the Six Nations, as it will impact the timeslot of their domestic competitions and Super Rugby.
This could effectively see SARU pull the plug with their fellow Southern Hemisphere ‘brothers’ and join the Six Nations – a move that has been speculated for quite some time.
Commercially and from a player welfare point of view, this would make perfect sense.
South Africa already plays its franchise rugby on a Northern Hemisphere calendar.
A breakaway from SANZAAR will give its most valuable asset – the players – a proper break and avoid the risk of burnout.
