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Bulls celebrate their third Super Rugby title in 2010
- Although he admits that there are still many variables involved, Bulls president Willem Strauss is optimistic about the future of the franchise in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Nonetheless, the end of the current Super Rugby era is bittersweet for the men of Loftus, who are the most successful home team in tournament history.
- Strauss believes the Bulls have a lot to benefit from a brand and business perspective at PRO Rugby.
A lot of water still needs to flow under the bridge, but Willem Strauss, president of Blue Bulls and member of the franchise board, is cautiously optimistic about moving South African rugby to Europe.
The Bulls, along with the Lions, Sharks and Stormers, were voted on Tuesday as the four franchises that will represent the country should SA Rugby negotiate an expanded PRO16 tournament.
Confirmation of that mandate means that Super Rugby, at least in its current version, is dead in the water.
“It’s still a very fluid situation,” Strauss said. Sport24 on Wednesday.
“We have reached a juncture in local rugby where we have had to adapt to the environment that caused us the Covid-19 pandemic. It is what it is and everyone has to work with what is in front of us.”
Closing the chapter on South Africa’s broader involvement in Super Rugby – a “modified Super Series” with the Cheetahs is in the works according to the federation – is a bittersweet moment for the Bulls in particular, as they remain the most successful home team. of history. from the competition.
“Super Rugby was a great tournament. Obviously, we will always have good memories of it because we won the title three times,” said Strauss.
“Overall it was also a good product. The level of play made it highly competitive and our teams were able to test their mettle regularly against Australasian teams. Although attendance at the stadiums declined, I still think the fans enjoyed watching Super Rugby. in mediums.
“Personally, I really enjoyed the pace of Super Rugby. It’s invariably fast and intense.”
Now, however, it is time to move on.
“We look forward to the new challenge. It is an opportunity to expand horizons. Players and coaches will be exposed to different conditions and different methods of thinking about the game. These are interesting times,” Strauss said.
Importantly, from a business perspective, the Bulls can also realistically aim to strengthen their brand footprint.
“We are actually quite well known in the UK, mainly because of the large number of expats who live there,” Strauss said.
“I hope they enjoy watching us play there and, from a broader perspective, PRO Rugby is an opportunity to tap into new amateur markets. That is the lifeblood of any commercially sustainable franchise.”
