SA Rugby vs SA franchise owners - battle lines being drawn…
by Craig Taylor · KickOffSA Rugby president Mark Alexander’s announcement at last week’s AGM of a July review into South African franchises’ participation in European competitions has ignited fierce debate in local rugby circles.
Speaking at the AGM, Alexander cited player welfare as the primary driver, pointing to players who are on duty for up to 11 months a year.
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“We generate our income from participating in tournaments. Participation is important, but our players are overworked,” Alexander said.
“We have to make tough decisions as an organisation, and we will do that over the next month or two. It has to be done in the best interests of our players.”
Although Alexander did not name the Champions Cup specifically, sources indicate it is the tournament under strongest consideration for review or potential withdrawal.
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Sharks owner Marco Masotti, speaking exclusively to KickOff Rugby, agreed that player welfare was a concern.
“I am very concerned about player welfare,” he said. “It is an important conversation.”
Masotti, however, said it’s critical for South African franchises to play in the world’s best rugby competitions.
The Champions Cup is seen by many rugby pundits as the top of that list, as it brings together the best teams from Europe and South Africa, including teams from the French Top 14, the richest league in the world.
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Masotti also questioned SA Rugby for making decisions that have major financial implications for privately funded franchises in South Africa.
“It is important for rugby that we invest in the club game and have the South African franchises play in the most high-profile and lucrative competitions,” Masotti said.
“The major South African franchises operate at a loss, and someone like me needs to cover them.
“The model of SARU making decisions for private businesses and effectively pushing the costs of financing the game in South Africa onto the major unions is not sustainable.”
Masotti said that local depth and, through it, player welfare would be easier to achieve should the franchises receive a bigger contribution from playing in premier competitions.
“We need much more of the pie so we can build local depth and manage player welfare.
“Let me be clear — I will no longer fund the losses (and all of the owners will feel the same way) if we pull out of the Champions Cup.”
What do you make of Masotti's comments? Do you think that franchise owners could pull out of their commitments should SA Rugby withdraw South African teams from certain European competitions?