Amidst growing speculation of a SARU bid to expand South Africa’s influence in the Pro14, as well as increasing outbursts of contempt by local supporters directed at Super Rugby, perhaps now is the time to reflect on the myths surrounding the Southern Hemisphere showpiece and whether it is as bad for the South African game as is made out.
The European Champions Cup is far and away the greatest domestic rugby competition on the calendar; of that, there is very little doubt. Subsequently, waning interest in a watered-down Super Rugby tournament which lacks competitiveness has seen it fall by the wayside.
The reasons behind this Southern Hemisphere stagnation have been regurgitated ad nauseam. A complicated, convoluted structure. Australian and South African rugby’s perpetual decline. The lure of the pound, yen, and euro. Etcetera, etcetera.
At present, the comparison between Super Rugby and the Champions Cup is quite literally, poles apart. Kiwi sides have claimed five of the last six Super Rugby finals, while there have been as many as three different winners by nation (and four overall), in the same amount of time up north.
Australia’s finest haven’t beaten one of their rivals from across the Tasman for over two years and South Africa haven’t won a title since 2010. And dare we even mention the Jaguares and Sunwolves?
Contrastingly, the Champions Cup, much like the FIFA World Cup, is almost impossible to predict. Any team is good enough to win on any given day and that is what makes it so compelling. People want to see Racing 92 take on Munster. The Crusaders versus the Reds? Not so much.
SARU’s recent inquest into the Cheetahs and Kings inaugural Pro14 campaigns is interesting for many reasons. Clearly, they are finally succumbing to external pressures and looking for alternative routes to Super Rugby. It remains to be seen whether a move will indeed go ahead after Super Rugby’s current broadcast deal expires in 2020, but kudos to SARU for finally searching other avenues.
Naturally, the first question that arises about the whole scenario is what exactly will become of The Rugby Championship, the international tournament administered by SANZAAR? Also, will this mean South Africa’s top performers in the Pro14 qualify for the Champions Cup? Well, SARU seem keen to remain in the Championship, but that only leaves room for more doubt, such as whether the Springboks will be good enough to keep up with the All Blacks after not having played against regular Kiwi opposition at franchise level.
Well, to play the devil’s advocate, they aren’t exactly “keeping up” with them right now. But I digress.
Despite the ongoing criticism directed at Super Rugby, the landscape isn’t completely desolate. Far from it. The Bulls vs Sharks monstrous derby in Pretoria over the weekend was a humdinger, as was the Crusaders vs Tahs clash. At the 28-minute mark, with the Tahs leading 29-0, it seemed as though New Zealand’s stranglehold over their Aussie contemporaries was finally at an end. The Saders though, staged a monumental comeback to eventually take it 31-29 in a pulsating encounter in Christchurch.
We could even use the Sunwolves’ fantastic comeback win over the Reds as proof that, while the competition may no longer be comparable to its European cousin, there is still quality on offer. Many blame the Bok’s recent failings on Super Rugby, but there are numerous other factors at play too. The tournament has undoubtedly contributed to rugby in the Republic. It’s time for supporters to stop finding excuses.
While it remains to be seen whether SARU will indeed jump ship in the near future, one can find solace in the fact that Super Rugby isn’t quite as bad as it’s made out. That’s not to say I’m anti a move north – on the contrary, I strongly support one – but perhaps it is time that we appreciate what we have. For all its misgivings, Super Rugby isn’t all that bad.
Written by Shaun Goosen for Hollywoodbets
