League Notes: South African Rugby Tightens Selection Rules For Foreign Players

South African rugby coach Allister Coetzee will from July "only be able to select overseas-based players who have more than 30 international caps in a policy aimed at protecting the domestic game." The country has suffered a "player drain" in recent years as clubs in England, France and Japan "provide lucrative alternatives for young South Africans." South African Rugby said that the new ruling, which will be put in place after the three-match home series with France in June, "will not apply in World Cup year" (REUTERS, 3/3).

English rugby execs announced the winner of English rugby's second-tier league "will from next season gain automatic promotion to the Premiership," in a move designed to "give that team more time to prepare for life among the elite." Under the current system, the Championship's top four teams "compete in a season-extending playoff" (REUTERS, 3/3).