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SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux reportedly officially informed local franchise heads that South African teams will part ways with Super Rugby to compete in an expanded PRO16 competition.
According to Sport24, Roux made the announcement at SA Rugby’s general council meeting on Friday, when he also confirmed that only four South African franchises are likely to gain admission to participate in the European tournament.
While the four teams that will represent the country at PRO16 have yet to be identified, it is widely expected that Super Rugby teams, the Vodacom Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers, will be chosen with the Cheetahs and Kings, who are currently compete in PRO14, they will likely be eliminated in the same way that they were eliminated from Super Rugby in 2017.
“The presentation was professional and concise,” a source told Sport24.
‘To be honest, there were no new revelations. The Covid-19 pandemic has complicated the rugby landscape and it was quite clear that the demand for South African participation in a cross-border tournament would probably have to be limited to four teams. “
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But it is believed that SA Rugby could be embroiled in a legal battle if it eliminates the Cheetahs, because the Free State union is contracted to participate in the PRO Rugby tournament until 2023.
That is why Roux and SA Rugby are exploring the possibility of having five active franchises.
“The door is not closed for five teams, but the headache, as we know, is finding a tournament for the fifth franchise,” confirmed another attendee to the general meeting.
Another general meeting is scheduled for next month, where shareholders will vote on the issue, but according to reports circulating in the UK, PRO Rugby could make an official announcement on the future of the competition before then.
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Photo: Gallo Images
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