[ad_1]
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Lions playmaker Elton Jantjies throws the ball during the 2018 SUPER Rugby final loss to the Crusaders.
Former Lions president and South African padlock Kevin de Klerk lamented his country’s departure from Super Rugby and fears the move north could compromise Springbok standards.
South Africa announced on Wednesday that they would be leaving Super Rugby and transferring their top four provincial teams (Lions, Bulls, Stormers and Sharks) to an expanded PRO 14 championship involving teams from Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Italy.
De Klerk, who played 13 events for the Springboks between 1974 and 1981 and was president of the Lions during their golden career in Super Rugby when they reached three consecutive 2016-18 finals, felt the Sanzaar provincial championship set the standards.
“I think most people will have mixed emotions about this news,” De Klerk said. Sport24 In South Africa.
READ MORE:
* Springboks Camp Hit by Positive Covid-19 Test
* Leaked minutes of the Sanzaar NZ Rugby meeting schedule agreed to a six-week Rugby Championship
* NZ Rugby refutes South Africa’s blame game for Super Rugby exit, but does not accept war of words
“I continue to firmly believe that Super Rugby standards cannot be replicated anywhere else.
“Our teams were exposed to opposition from New Zealand and Australia on a weekly basis and that made us better. I’m not sure if the competition in Europe can match that.
“We saw the Springboks beat the English in the World Cup final. It showed a kind of abyss.
“We hope that our entry into PRO Rugby will make the tournament more competitive.”
Gallo Images / Getty Images
Lions president Kevin de Klerk comforts coach Johan Ackermann after Super Rugby’s final loss to the Crusaders in Johannesburg.
Looking for positives, De Klerk admitted that traveling would be easier with the friendlier time zone.
“By all accounts, going to the northern hemisphere will be better for the well-being of the players.
“The trip to Australasia took it away from our players, I experienced it first hand.
“It is also a new challenge for our teams to adapt to the new conditions and develop new game plans.”
1 NEWS
“We are not going to turn around and accept this” – All Blacks captain Sam Cane reveals the reaction of AB’s group of leaders to the controversial Rugby Championship draw.
De Klerk said he was proud to have overseen the rejuvenation of the Lions, formerly the Transvaal, although they failed to clinch a Super Rugby title as they lost those three consecutive finals to the Hurricanes and Crusaders (twice).
He felt that the competitiveness of Super Rugby would be hard to match.
“On a broader level, I enjoyed the matchups. I enjoyed getting up early with thousands of fans to watch our teams compete. Super Rugby was a good product. “
