Doha – Super Rugby had its day, but the South African players “hated” the travel component of that competition.
Sunday in Doha, following the launch of a three-year agreement between Qatar Airways and the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Champions Cup, SA Rugby president Mark Alexander stated this.
The Stormers, Bulls, Sharks, and Lions (URC and Champions Cup), as well as the Cheetahs (Challenge Cup), will have their flights sponsored by Qatar Airways, the official South African airline partner of the EPCR (European Professional Club Rugby), and the official airline partner of the URC.
Add to that the fact that South Africa and Europe share comparable time zones, and this trip is a far cry from the nightmares in Australia and New Zealand.
And while the Bulls were the only South African team to win the Super Rugby championship, the Pretoria side and the Stormers contested the URC final in their debut season, with the Stormers emerging as the first champions.
“Unbelievable (in terms of player welfare). Our players in Super Rugby were away for five weeks. Consider that they were all young males who had just gotten married. Their families are asleep when they wake up in the morning. So, they wake up at 3 a.m. – which is against the rules, but they do it – so that they can speak with their families,” Alexander said during a media event in Doha. The players like participating in the European system.
“The players despised the journey to Australia. Five weeks away, there are so many time zones.”
The fact that New Zealand Rugby also eliminated South African Rugby from that tournament has not been forgotten.
“One must also consider what transpired on July 16, 2020, when New Zealand revealed to the press that they will not continue Super Rugby in its existing form,” Alexander stated.
“Thank God that we invested in the PRO16 two years earlier” (with the Cheetahs and Southern Kings). They (New Zealand Rugby) gave us the boot… This had the potential to permanently damage South African rugby.
“What matters is the way in which it was accomplished. We are still in pain because of that. We are pursuing other opportunities with other matters, but I shall never forget…
“In general, partners provide one another with advance notice. When Australia was experiencing difficult times, we sacrificed broadcast funds to ensure their survival. Similarly, when there were earthquake concerns in New Zealand…
“However, when we were forced to drop two teams, we were on our own. We must do what is best for South African rugby; this is now our guiding concept.
“It works for us, and it works when we’re preparing our teams. Many of our players play in Europe, so this is a great base.”