After deliberations that delayed the intended media conference by three hours at the Absa Stadium in Durban on Friday, SA Rugby finally announced a reshuffle in provincial affiliations in the enlarged Super 14 franchises for the next three years, subject to an annual review and initial three-year trial period.
SA Rugby president Brian van Rooyen confirmed that the fifth franchise has been awarded to the central unions — Free State, Griqualand West and the Griffons. The other franchises have been awarded to Western Province, Boland and South Western Districts; KwaZulu-Natal and Border; Golden Lions, Mpumalanga, the Leopards and the Falcons; and the Blue Bulls and Eastern Province.
Those to whom the franchises have been offered have 45 days in which to accept SA Rugby’s terms.
SA Rugby reserves the right to decide on the award of the five franchises for the remaining two years of the Sanzar Super 14 competition.
In addition to the waiting period ahead of acceptance, successful candidates have a further 45 days to present a working management plan.
The purpose of the management plan is to ensure that SA Rugby builds and strengthens the capacity of the smaller unions. The plans must also ensure that meaningful transformation occurs at management, administrative, coaching, development and player levels.
The selection and composition of regional squads, the selection of regional coaches and the selection of regional teams are to be made in conjunction with SA Rugby and the national coach and selectors.
Van Rooyen confirmed that the new system will ensure that the Southern and Eastern Cape regions will have the benefit of Super 14 rugby. He said the aim is to take games into rural areas, where it is logistically possible. He said at least 20 black African players will get exposure to Super 14 rugby.
To avoid skulduggery, there will be a moratorium on black African players moving to other regions other than for bone fide or family reasons.
The major surprise came by way of the linking of the Blue Bulls in Pretoria with Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth from a geographical point of view.
”It’s not possible to carve South Africa up into compatible regions, just like that,” said Van Rooyen. ”The criteria for awarding the five franchises were to create a winning Springbok team, growing the game at all levels, transformation and, of course, financial sustainability.”
SA Rugby also has to comply with the requirements of the Sanzar broadcasting agreement.
”The form shown by the four South African teams in the Super 12 competition in the current season has been disappointing, to say the least,” said Van Rooyen.
”But it was necessary for many reasons — one of them being travel commitments — for South Africa to have a fifth franchise once Australia had also been offered another side for the Super 14 era,” he added.
Van Rooyen said that with the new composition of the franchise units, it is possible that there will be name changes in the Super 14 from the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls and Cats, as constituted at present. — Sapa