All Blacks stars Sam Cane and Aaron Smith agree that it will be a ‘shame’ to stop playing South African teams at Vodacom Super Rugby.

In a confirmed reorganization of the Sanzaar alliance, SA Rugby will officially move to enter the existing four Super Rugby teams in an expanded PRO Rugby competition.

Although there is still talk that the Cheetahs could get into a ‘Super Series’ proposal involving teams from New Zealand and Australia, it is the end of Super Rugby as we know it.

READ ALSO: Why SA Rugby seeks the future of the Northern Hemisphere

“ When you are lucky enough to play international rugby, we will still have the incredible challenge of going there. For me, I don’t think there is a much bigger challenge than facing a South African team in front of a packed South African crowd, ”said Cane.

The All Blacks captain added: ‘Put on your Super Rugby cap, it’s a shame a lot of those youngsters can’t experience that. Memory, [I was] super excited to make my first trip to South Africa, flying business class for the first time, all the little things that come with touring.

“But… a little less travel is a bonus for guys who have traveled a lot over the years. The first four or five years is very exciting, then the next four or five it’s a bit like, “Oh, let’s go back there.”

Smith shared similar sentiments.

“ I have always enjoyed my times in South Africa, but, not to be ungrateful, to go there about 20 times, it’s like you lose that. That 14-hour flight, the long flight back.

But at the test level, you hope you don’t lose that. Because they are the best games, they are the ones you remember. I remember in 2013 I played at Ellis Park, the hardest game I have ever played. He remembers playing in Cape Town, it was a 48 minute first half. The games you play there are just festivals and the best kind of atmosphere.

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Playing in South Africa is a big challenge, say the All Blacks

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