South African clubs could withdraw from European competitions

The Stormers beat the Bulls to win the URC in 2022

A major review into the schedule of South African rugby union is to be held by the country's governing body, which could have wide-reaching ramifications for the domestic. international calendar.

South African Rugby Union (Saru) will undertake a "strategic planning session" before the end of July and, while it insists any predictions are "premature", one live possibility is the withdrawal of South African teams from the European Champions. Challenge Cups.

As it stands, many South African players are in action 12 months a year - given they play domestically in Europe in the United Rugby Championship (URC) between September. June, and then in international competition in July and August.

Saru says the review is in response to the "need to find a competitions schedule. does not compromise the health of players or the performance of teams".

The statement added: "The views of all internal stakeholders will be canvassed. workshopped on the domestic and international playing calendar for South African players."

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The South African professional teams were involved in the southern hemisphere domestic competition, Super Rugby, since its inception in 1996.

However, Saru administrators had long favoured a move north to Europe, given the similar time zone,. four South African sides - Stormers, Bulls, Sharks and Lions - joined the URC in 2020.

European Professional Club Rugby then welcomed South African teams into the Champions and Challenge Cups from 2022 onwards.

The South African sides made an immediate mark in the URC, with Stormers winning the title in their first full season. Bulls making three of the past four finals, and are now locked into the league as permanent shareholders.

"There is no doubt about the hugely positive impact South African rugby has had on our league,. confirmation of their addition as a shareholder was always part of the roadmap," URC chief executive Martin Anayi said in 2025.

But, while the transition to the URC has been considered a success by administrators, South African involvement in the Champions Cup has been ridden with difficulties on. off the pitch.

While the Sharks won the Challenge Cup in 2024, no South African team has progressed past the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup, while there have been constant challenges regarding logistics. travel.

Meanwhile, despite playing club rugby north of the equator, the Springboks have continued to play in the Rugby Championship, the southern hemisphere competition featuring South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina. Australia.

A handful of Springboks players manage a light workload because they play club rugby in Japan,. those who play for a club side in the URC, Prem or Top 14 are faced with the prospect of a 12-month season.

The Saru review comes as rugby bosses are also considering a major revamp to the Champions Cup, with one option to reduce the tournament to about 16 teams. play it in one block at the back end of the season.

Meanwhile. the long-term make-up of the URC is also up in the air, with the Welsh Rugby Union looking toreduce their number of pro teamsfrom four to three.

It is understood the EPCR shareholder deal is locked in until 2030. although theoretically this could change if the shareholders were in agreement.

"Should consensus be reached on a potential revision of the calendar. any contractual or constitutional requirements to affect such a revision will be observed," the Saru statement continued.

If the South Africans were to withdraw from the URC or Champions Cup. they could attempt to beef up their own domestic competition, the Currie Cup, a historic competition which dates back to 1891.

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