SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer has called on South African teams to embrace the challenges of playing in European competitions, urging them to stop criticising the demanding schedule and focus on making the best of the situation.
The comments come in response to Sharks coach John Plumtree, who lamented his team’s inability to field their strongest lineup against Leicester Tigers in the Champions Cup due to their Vodacom URC commitments. Plumtree argued that “players are not robots,” highlighting the strain on SA teams juggling two competitions.
‘This Is Our Lifeblood’
Speaking to Rapport newspaper, Oberholzer stressed the importance of the European competitions to the sustainability of South African rugby:
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That is the reality. Our teams want to play in professional leagues, and the United Rugby Championship and European competitions offer exactly that.
The South African clubs have to live with the fact that they are competing in two competitions at the same time. It does not help our cause to be so critical.
Oberholzer also warned that constant complaints could jeopardize SA teams’ participation in European competitions:
There are clubs in the European competitions that don’t want us there. We have to be careful not to shoot ourselves in the foot by constantly criticising a competition that we participate in by invitation. After all, it is our lifeblood.”
A Reminder of Past Challenges
Oberholzer reminded critics that South African teams were excluded from Super Rugby and that without the URC and European competitions, the Currie Cup would be the only viable platform for professional rugby in the country.
Super Rugby kicked us out. If it wasn’t for the URC and European competitions, we would only have Currie Cup rugby to play now.”
He also pointed out that South Africa’s involvement in the URC contributes significantly to the tournament’s success, with over half of its revenue coming from South African broadcast and sponsorship deals.
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Moving Forward
Oberholzer’s message to SA teams is clear: adapt to the challenges of competing in Europe and stop complaining about the travel demands. With the Vodacom URC and Champions Cup serving as vital platforms for South African rugby, Oberholzer emphasized the importance of working together to ensure continued participation and success.