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Cheetahs CEO Harold Verster has shared his frustration with SA Rugby’s decision to expel the team from PRO14.
SA Rugby confirmed Tuesday that existing Super Rugby franchises are in line to transition to an expanded PRO Rugby competition.
COLUMN: Another D-day is coming for the cheetahs
The decision was made by the 13 voting member unions of the South African Rugby Union at a special general meeting to determine international participation and competition formats in a rugby environment affected by Covid-19.
The four teams that voted for a possible transition were the existing Vodacom Super Rugby franchises: the Vodacom Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers.
However, this would come at the expense of the Cheetahs and Kings, who have been involved in PRO14 since its 12-team expansion in 2017.
The Cheetahs are effectively left with two options: find a new home in a Super Eight tournament alongside teams from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Japan, or go the legal route and fight for their place in PRO Rugby.
Speaking during an interview with RugbyPassVerster, who was about to retire from his post this week, complained that the decision was made to the detriment of the Free State franchise.
‘As in Super Rugby, we are in the rear. We need to review all the documentation to try to prove our case. It’s very unfair, ” Verster said. RugbyPass. “ We opened negotiations with the PRO14 in 2017 and it was quite a difficult road to travel, find your feet, hire players.
“We lost a lot of players who wanted to play Super Rugby. We have lost coach Franco Smith to Italy, Rory Duncan to Worcester, Daan Human to the Boks, Dave Williams to the Sharks and even our doctor to Dubai. We regroup, we have brilliant coaches, doctor, a brilliant team, one of the best teams in a long time. Suddenly this thing hits you like lightning.
“When we joined PRO14, SARU said they appreciated our solution to get out of Super Rugby, called it a ‘fancy deal’ and said in their report that it would be wonderful for South African rugby. Now they are kicking us off the bus. It’s so unfair. It is really frustrating. We are very unhappy with our situation ”.
The Cheetahs board will meet on Friday to chart the way forward and determine whether to abide by SA Rugby’s decision or go to court, having already brought in a high-profile advocate to review their case.
“Our lead attorney has reviewed it and we are very comfortable having a good legal case,” added Vester. ‘We don’t want to get into legal battles with SARU. The last option would be legal, but if that’s the last thing you can stand on, all unions will obviously see it. ‘
FULL INTERVIEW
Photo: Frikkie Kapp / Gallo Images
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