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South Africa’s ‘Super’ teams will contest a “Rainbow Cup” competition next year with current Guinness PRO14 clubs, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
The Vodacom Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers will join 12 clubs from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy in the competition.
Each South African team will go on a three-game tour of Europe at the Rainbow Cup, while the 12 Guinness PRO14 clubs will play in South Africa.
The Rainbow Cup will begin on April 17 and conclude with a final on June 19.
“The inclusion of the South African ‘Super’ Teams in the Rainbow Cup is a step in a new direction for us,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby. “After so much confusion and uncertainty in 2020, the prospect of a return to top-tier international domestic competition is something we can all look forward to with real excitement.”
Roux said discussions on a long-term partnership were still ongoing and an update would be provided at an appropriate time.
Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s director of rugby, welcomed the new competition.
“The timing of the Rainbow Cup is perfect,” he said. ‘Finally, our Super teams will be back to compete internationally after a year of absence and it will arrive at the ideal time in preparation for the British & Irish Lions tour.
“It will be a step up from the national competition and will remind our players of the different types of rugby to look forward to when the Lions are here. Our players will be facing many of the players who will be on Warren Gatland’s squad and it will be very interesting to see how our players adapt to the challenge.
The 16 teams will be divided into two groups of eight, made up of two Irish clubs, two South African, two Welsh, one Italian and one Scottish. Each team will play a game against each group opponent and the teams that finish first in their groups will meet in a final on June 19.
“Having trained in Ireland with Munster, I know what our players can expect, and it will be very different from Super Rugby,” said Jacques Nienaber, Springbok coach.
“Rugby is incredibly tough and will pose different questions to our players. It will be a very competitive competition and it will be a real learning curve for our coaches and players. “
The current Guinness PRO14 competition will conclude with a final on March 27.
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