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Investec Champions Cup

SA Rugby address rumours of European exit in statement

Ian Cameron

Published: 28 days ago | 16 May 2026 10:59 CDT

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (captain) of the Stormers receives a yellow-card during the Investec Champions Cup match between DHL Stormers and Leicester Tigers at DHL Stadium on January 17, 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

SA Rugby has moved to cool speculation over the future of its involvement in EPCR competitions, stressing that any decisions on a potential exit remain premature following comments from its CEO earlier this week.

Reports had suggested South Africa’s franchises could withdraw from European club competitions as part of a broader shake-up of the playing calendar, but SA Rugby said its focus is firmly on an upcoming strategic review rather than any immediate change.

The union confirmed that a long-planned strategic planning session, involving its members and directors of rugby, will take place before the end of July. The purpose of that summit is to conduct a comprehensive review of competitions, with particular emphasis on the growing strain placed on players.

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Central to discussions will be the ongoing challenge of player welfare, with South African teams currently competing year-round across domestic, URC and European commitments, as well as international windows.

SA Rugby said in a statement: “SA Rugby planned some time ago to host a strategic planning session of its members and their directors of rugby to undertake a thorough review of competitions and focus on identifying a workable solution to the pressing issue of player welfare for South African players.

“That session has been confirmed to take place before the end of July.

“It is in response to the need to find a competitions schedule that does not compromise the health of players or the performance of teams in the absence of progress to align to a global calendar.

“Any speculation or predictions as to the outcomes are premature.

“The views of all internal stakeholders will be canvassed and workshopped on the domestic and international playing calendar for South African players, which currently sees SA teams in action in every month of the year.

“Should consensus be reached on a potential revision of the calendar, any contractual or constitutional requirements to affect such a revision will be observed.”

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Comments

18 Comments

SteveD 25 days ago

Up to SARU, but frankly, after the disgraceful Stormers vs Toulon game reffed by either a crooked or useless pom, I can’t be bothered to watch any more of their matches. The URC is by far and away the best to watch and the EPRC is a load of cr*p. The only alternative would be for the SA teams to do what the Cheetahs did and play all their games over in Europe and be done with it, if they’re forced to carry on.

J Marc 27 days ago

When I read all these comments here, I am desperatly looking for the most important word which should appear : Investec….

Wayneo 27 days ago

Never a truer word….

You can add the broadcasters voices in the same sentence, they are the ones that were banging the drum to scrap the RC in favor of traditional tours

The real story is that its SANZAAR’s head on the chopping block not the EPCR

Itsallacademic 27 days ago

Actually quite an astute insight. They are not longer just a niche South African bankand sponsors have a massive voice.

Wayneo 27 days ago

This has sweet f all to do with the EPCR, SA Rugby paid a fortune to get in and are making a fortune playing in it so mute point to even suggest they would leave

Heck, >30% of the EPCR’s viewers come from SA and probably the same for revenues now days so anybody thinking Europe will allow SA to leave are probably smoking something ilegal

If I’m reading between the lines correctly here, it sounds like SA Rugby are big time p’d off with SANZAAR not moving to the 6N window & not having a global season so are going to workshop leaving the Rugby Championship when the current broadcast deal expires

Now with the Greatest Rivalry tours every 2 years they probably won’t need SANZAAR anymore so will move to another model with games played in a window that protects player welfare

Itsallacademic 28 days ago

Why on earth would they want to leave?

Rather than not play at all, just treat it entirely as a development competition. Senior players get a rest (similar to not playing at all), but now they have the added benefit of younger players getting extremely valuable exposure to foreign players and conditions and they still get to share in the commercial revenue.

Only downside is that their teams stand zero chance of winning it, but that is also the case if they pull out.

Wayneo 27 days ago

SA Rugby can’t leave, they are locked into the league as permanent shareholders

What they are not locked into is SANZAAR…

MM 27 days ago

Well for the same reason they whimped out of Super Rugby. They weren’t competitive and basically held up the foot of the table each season!

JW 27 days ago

There will be integrity policies preventing bad actors like that.

Very similar to how FFR had to change their tune about having a core group ineligible for July tours, it’s difficulty to do anything about the PREM sides who treat EPCR as a chance to rest the top side, but when you come out and directly say “our top 30” are unviable, it makes it much easier to prove and enforce protocl. Kinda like Apartheid.

JPM 27 days ago

Unfortunately based on their experience the strong European teams outside of URC have no interest in playing them (developmental or not).

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