‘SA rugby vulnerable to rebel league’

SA Rugby’s new commercial Test model could result in players going overseas or joining the new rebel league, according to Stormers minority partner Andre van der Veen.

The 12-franchise ‘R360’ league is reportedly targeting the top 300 male and female players, and will take place in two windows – April to June and August to September – the latter which clashes with the Rugby Championship.

It is being driven by England World Cup winner Mike Tindall, former Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper and the lawyer behind the creation of the IPL T20 cricket tournament and the rebel LIV Golf.

SA Rugby’s new Test model sees the governing body make a guaranteed fixed payment to the provincial union hosting the Springbok Test. In the case of Stormers Rugby, they will earn less than half than before.

“SA Rugby can say that the Tests belong to them, but in the end we have to balance the books,” Van der Veen told Netwerk24. “What will be left if SA Rugby does not give us more money? You have no other option than to cut your player budget.

“You do not have a contractual right to income. There is no financial security. What will happen if we pay the players less and less? They will either go overseas, or alternatively to another league if there is one.”

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Van der Veen said season ticket sales were also affected as the Bok Test was no longer included.

“The only sources of contractual income are sponsorships and season ticket sales. Now the Tests are being taken away.

“If your teams are under financial pressure, the product is not being managed optimally and the players’ income is less than what they can get elsewhere in a competitive league – and you add all of this together – you create the opportunity for a rebel league.”

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