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SARU President sheds light on South Africa's northern future

By Online Editors
Getty Images/Bryn Lennon

South Africa Rugby Union president Mark Alexander has fueled debate over where his country’s playing future lies.

Alexander believes South African players are “better off” plying their trades in the northern hemisphere, adding to the growing rumours of a Super Rugby exodus.

South Africa currently host four Super Rugby teams and have two teams playing in the PRO14, with the possible addition of two more next year.

“It’s a long-term investment. We have options now and in future. At some point in time in future if we don’t want to stay in the south [in Super Rugby], we can move north,” Alexander said at the PRO14 season launch.

“Also, the PRO14 is a good competition for the players and coaches who’re playing against tier one nations each weekend, except for England.

“When we become a full PRO14 member next season, we’ll be the only nation who plays in the north and the south, and the major benefit of playing in the northern hemisphere is the players are better off. With the structure of the PRO14 competition the way it is, it’s easier for travelling, with distances between places less than in the south, and the time zones are also better.

“When you consider player welfare and what’s best for them, then the north is better.”

The Cheetahs and Southern Kings were axed from Super Rugby at the end of the 2017 season and have since joined the PRO14 with mixed results.

The Southern Kings won just one of their 21 fixtures, with a points differential of -451. The Cheetahs won 12 games and lost nine, qualifying for the quarterfinals where they were despatched 43-8 by eventual finalists Scarlets.

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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