The Grubber: Will a move up to the north benefit SA Rugby?

THE Cheetahs and the Southern Kings have been plying their trade in Europe for the last two seasons and there’s been talk in various rugby circles recently that the Springboks could join the Six Nations competition.

The UK’s Daily Mail, reported that South Africa are set to join the Northern hemisphere tournament after the next world cup. This move will undoubtedly change the landscape of world rugby and would  undoubtedly fracture South Africa’s relationship with SANZAAR.

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Since South Africa is such a powerful rugby nation, it would significantly strengthen the northern nations and could possibly see Japan and/or Fiji fill the world champion’s void in the Rugby Championship.

SA Rugby is tied to a broadcasting deal to remain in SANZAAR related competitions until 2025 and The Daily Mail speculates that the Boks should be joining the European test tournament in 2024. How will this work? Will SA Rugby’s relationship with the Southern hemisphere nations end badly?

It’s all speculation for now. It’s also no secret that the Vodacom Super Rugby is struggling to attract big crowds (Just look at the empty seats on a weekly basis). Various reports stated that, South Africa’s strongest franchises – the Vodacom Bulls, Sharks, Stormers and Lions – could join the Pumas, Griquas, Kings and Cheetahs in an expanded Pro14 and Premiership Rugby Cup.

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A move like that could revitalise public interest in the game and bring South African franchises to the fore once again.

The major advantage about a potential move up north would be travel. Flying and playing in Europe would be a much easier transition for South African sides than travelling all the way to Australasia. Other benefits include, less local players opting to play for European clubs and financial benefits of course.

A move up north could see a schedule change that would see the Boks starting their test season in February, instead of the middle of the year. Club competitions could see the unions play over the festive season. Interesting times ahead.

Thoughts from the panel:

Kelton Thunder (Hillcrest Rugby Club) : SA Rugby moving up north could mean more money through broadcasting rights. Also up north, they’re in the correct time zones, so more viewings of the games. I know that in Australia and New Zealand the SA based games are normally broadcasted around midnight, 2am and 4am. So they’ll (viewers) need to wake up at midnight to watch their team play. Which means we could lose viewers and money. Also, it lessens the constructive competition against the New Zealand based sides.

James King (Reading University Rugby) : I would like to see the Boks move into the Northern hemisphere competition. I know people that wouldn’t like that, the older, more traditional rugby viewers – they love the idea of a more traditional Six Nations tournament. There’s been a lot of talk of the Boks moving into the competition, potentially replacing Italy – which would be a good move because Italy haven’t been competitive for the last few seasons. In the English Premiership, there are lot of South Africans anyway, the Sale Sharks’ whole team is almost South African – so people shouldn’t complain too much if South Africa are included.

The Sharks

The Sharks take on the Hurricanes at the Cake Tin in Wellington on Saturday, in a crucial clash that sees, Coach Sean Everitt make one change in the Starting line-up as Boeta Chamberlain replaces, Curwin Bosch – who heads home due to a family matter.

Cell C Sharks squad to face Hurricanes: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikumbuzo Notshe, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Phendulani Buthelezi, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Jeremy Ward.

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