Schalk urges Boks to join Six Nations
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A move from SANZAAR to Europe could be a good thing for South African Super Rugby franchises revealed Springboks legend Schalk Burger.
Since the Cheetahs and Southern Kings’ switch to Pro14 following their Super Rugby axing, speculations have been floating around that the other four South African franchises the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers will soon follow suit
According to a report by the Wales Online earlier this year, South Africa’s franchises have grown increasingly frustrated with competing in Super Rugby alongside opposition from New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, even sighting the different time zones in the competition and the unfair composition of the conferences as some of the handicaps.
The South African Super Rugby franchises have also experienced a decrease in both television audiences and match attendances over the years, prompting the move to the North.
Springbok Schalk Burger certainly feels like it will be ‘wise’ for the South African sides to move to Europe.
He revealed to the Rugby paper that the switch makes ‘more sense’.
“We don’t know how the future of SANZAAR is going to look but it’s got to make more sense for South African teams to play up north,” the Saracens flank told the Rugby Paper.
“Argentina, USA and Canada should join forces to develop a competition there and then New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the Polynesian Islands can develop a high-class competition of their own.
“I know it’s tricky because South Africa is traditionally linked with SANZAAR, but when I started out Super 12 was the best competition ever – short, intense and with the best players.
“Now, however, we’ve lost our magic and with Super Rugby expanding we’ve pretty much lost the Currie Cup in South Africa, which used to have massive importance. We’ve lost the plot and people aren’t watching Super Rugby in big numbers any more, which is why we must come north,”
However, a switch to the North will mean that South Africa’s international side the Springboks will also have to ditch SANZAAR and join Europe.
In other words, the Boks would have to swap the Rugby Championship for the Six Nations competitions.
Since the inclusion of Argentina in the Rugby Championship, the Springboks have been struggling. The last time the side won the Rugby Championship was in 2009 under Peter de Villiers.
Currently, coached by Rassie Erasmus, who have recently join the Pro14 Rugby Board, the Boks’ introduction to the Six Nations would financially beneficial not only for the competition but also for South African Rugby.
And when asked if the Boks should join the Six Nations, Burgher replied “yes” adding: “That would make it the best competition in the world!
“Cricket, which was once the most conservative of sports, has been willing to embrace change with lots of new competitions, led by the IPL, popping up around the world and it’s brought a new audience. In rugby, the Premiership is flying, as is the Top 14, but in other areas, it’s struggling. International rugby is still a money-spinner but I think it’s ready for a change-up and if you had South Africa linking up with the Northern Hemisphere, it would make the Six Nations and other competitions even better.
“I’m just a rugby player but I’ve been thinking about it a lot and within South Africa, a few attitudes have to change. A lot of the franchises are under huge financial pressure and the Stormers/Western Province are in big trouble, which is sad to see. Whoever is willing to change the fastest might lead the way forward and Europe has a big opportunity if it embraces South Africa,”
35-year-old Burger has been a prominent figure in South African rugby. The flanks boast with 86 international caps and were part of the successful 2007 World Cup side.
Source: therugbypaper.co.uk
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