Champions Cup: A bridge too far for SA? 

Today at 04:56 AM

SPOTLIGHT: Following another disappointing weekend for South African franchises in the Champions Cup, it may be time to reconsider their involvement in the elite club competition.

When the four powerhouse South African franchises joined the rebranded Pro 14 (now United Rugby Championship) in 2021, there was uncertainty on how these sides would adapt to a new competition and new conditions in the northern hemisphere.

As things turned out, the question answered itself in the URC's first year when two South African sides contested the Final as the Stormers took down the Bulls to claim the inaugural title.

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In the two seasons that followed, the Stormers and Bulls were involved in Finals again, although coming up short against Munster and Glasgow Warriors respectively.

One could argue that the success of the Stormers in the 2021/22 Final could be put down to South African sides not having to stretch their resources by participating in the Champions Cup.

Since joining the elite global club competition in the 2022/23 season, there's been widespread criticism of the southern hemisphere sides deliberately fielding under-strength sides.

Last season Jake White, the Bulls Director of Rugby, copped a lot of heat for his quarterfinal selection against Northampton Saints which was very much an understrength outfit.

Not a single Springbok featured in that clash, and many suggested he saved his best side to face Munster at home the following week.

"I have said it over and over again, last season I did not rotate my squad enough and it came back to bite me in the end," an indignant White said at the time.

"It has nothing to do with Munster," he continued, adding: "It has to do with where we are as a group."

This past weekend, the struggling Stormers also went in against Harlequins with an understrength side featuring five debutants in their matchday squad, alongside a host of fringe players in their 16-53 defeat.

Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson expressed his gratitude that his side can participate in the prestigious competition, despite holding back a host of first-choice players for the upcoming URC clash against the Lions on December 21.

"As South Africans, we have to be better. We are not disrespecting (the tournament), but we need to get ourselves into a better position," Dobson said.

"I don't know how we solve it. It's like being invited to someone's birthday party and then complaining about the chips. We are so grateful to be here.

"We're so grateful to be here so I desperately want us to start and play our strongest team [in the Champions Cup.]"

Dobson admitted that should things not change, it could have disastrous consequences that could see South African franchises take huge backward steps.

"We have to be part of this tournament because it's such a high level and it's such a great tournament," he said

"And if we're not careful, were we not to be part of the Champions Cup, and the URC morphed into an Anglo League and we went back to the Currie Cup of the 1980s where we were playing Griqualand West and Free State in dusty Kimberley, that would be disastrous for South African rugby."

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Northampton Saints coach Philip Dowson gave his view on how it can be beneficial for European teams to travel to South Africa following their shock victory over the Bulls at Loftus Versveld.

"South Africa being world champions, with the heritage that this stadium has, players want to play against the best players, they want to play against the best teams, they want to play in the best stadiums.

"They get excited by that, and they've seen it on TV, and then they get to come here. Travel is an issue, and I think we've tried to manage the week this week.

"So getting back into the British system, the British weather, we're still quite new to this as well.

"So we've asked Leinster, we've asked Glasgow for advice in terms of how they've dealt with it in the past.

" I think it's a learning curve, but I think, from my point of view and from the players' point of view, the experience of coming out here is tops.

"From a team-building point of view, the experience of playing against some of the best players and some of the best teams in the world.

"And there's some guys in our squad who've never flown further than Europe. We went on safari on Wednesday morning, and it was a great experience for the individuals. I don't think we should lose that either in terms of people seeing the world and learning different things."

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Currently, South Africa may just have enough depth and resources to be competitive in the URC but doesn't have enough to chop and change teams in different competitions and still be able to remain competitive week in and out.

The Sharks, even with their host of Springboks, opted to field an understrength side against Leicester and were on the receiving end of a 17-56 drubbing.

Head coach John Plumtree expressed his grievances in regards to the tough travelling schedule in the duel competition participation of his side

"I want to bring our strongest Sharks side here and play on the biggest stage. I can understand their [the fans'] frustration.

"I want to go out there and give Leicester a good hiding in front of their home crowd. Don't worry about that," he said.

"We're all competitive. But the reality is we've got to look after these athletes. They are not robots. They don't front up every week. And right now, the South African boys are treated like robots."

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Having the South African franchises in the Champions Cup is exciting and adds another dimension to the competition, but unless a model is created to ensure these franchises are competitive in both tournaments, they will continue to be the punching bags of the European outfits.