Super 18 Reverts To 15
Super Rugby will revert to a 15-team format from next season, with three current sides set to be cut: two from South Africa and one from Australia.
Governing body Sanzaar has confirmed that it is the national governing bodies of the two countries involved who will decide which sides are to be cut. It is expected that the two South African franchises with the least support and poorest results, the Cheetahs based in Bloemfontein and Kings in Port Elizabeth will be cut. SARU have said that a consultative process will delay an announcement until June.
The ARU have announced that one of two clubs will be cut from either Western Force in Perth or the Melbourne Rebels. What at first was thought likely to be a quick decision is seeming more complicated by the day as pressure mounts from stakeholders.
The Super Rugby competition expanded to 18 teams only last year, when South Africa’s Southern Kings, Argentina’s Jaguares and Japan’s Sunwolves joined.
The 15 remaining sides will again be split into three conferences, down from four, with Sunwolves moving into the Australia conference, while Jaguares will play in a South Africa conference made up from the remaining teams in the two current Africa conferences.
“Naturally we understand that there will be some very disappointed franchises but the tournament’s long-term future and the economic reality of the business at present is something that had to be addressed,” said Sanzaar chairman Brent Impey.
“The decision to retain the Sunwolves is linked directly to Sanzaar’s strategic plan for the future.’
“The potential for growth of the sport in Asia off the back of the establishment of the Sunwolves and the impending Rugby World Cup in 2019 is significant.”
Continuing expansion to South America and Asia may be difficult to swallow in traditional rugby markets where a combination of general economic conditions, drop in form and competition from other sports has led to disinterest and a dramatic structural re-think.
The Super Rugby competition initially expanded to 15 teams from 2011, with the addition of Australian side Melbourne Rebels, having previously been named Super 14 from 2006 to 2010.
