Super Rugby execs branded a report that three more South African teams are "set to withdraw from the competition to play in Europe" as "simply wrong," according to STUFF. The Durban-based Sharks were named as "the first to leave" the current Super Rugby setup to join the Pro14 competition for '19-20. The report said that the Lions and Stormers "would likely follow suit" by at least the start of the '20-21 season. But Super Rugby organizer SANZAAR said that the report was "unfounded" and added that South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina "remained committed to future participation." SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos said, "Sanzaar -- through its joint venture partners -- Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa -- is currently engaged in a detailed strategic planning process that will deliver a road-map for the organization, Super Rugby and The Rugby Championship from 2018-2030. As part of this process the partners have fully committed to the strategy and future participation" (STUFF, 5/7).
CAUSE FOR CONCERN: STUFF's Marc Hinton wrote reports of a South African Super Rugby exit "may be greatly exaggerated, but they should also be hugely concerning for New Zealand rugby's movers and shakers." This would "effectively torpedo Super Rugby in its current format, leaving the competition to re-formulate around a trans-Tasman power base." That would "please the Aussies, who have long held a desire to head down this track, but not Kiwi powerbrokers who understand the importance South Africa brings to the table." Marinos said in his statement, "Any talk of a change to the stakeholder relationship and partners withdrawing, creation of new teams in new markets and trans-Tasman competitions is unsubstantiated speculation and simply wrong." That is a "fairly emphatic response." But Marinos "clearly" does not speak for South African rugby, "and no doubt there is more to play out on this subject yet." Plus, "you can't help but think with things like this, where there is smoke there is fire" (STUFF, 5/7).
