Blitzboks veteran Ryan Oosthuizen says players could grow tired of facing the same teams in the revamped SVNS Series.
World Rugby’s new three-division format has reduced the number of top-tier teams from 12 to eight for the first six tournaments of the season.
Only South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain and Spain will compete, before the field expands to 12 teams for the final three events.
“I’m really excited about the new season,” Oosthuizen told Netwerk24. “It’s going to be interesting to see how things work out with only eight teams participating. It might be fun at the beginning, but as the season progresses you might get tired of playing against the same teams all the time.”
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The 2025-26 SVNS Series kicks off in Dubai on 29-30 December before heading to Cape Town the following weekend.
“For us, the tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town are the highlights of the season,” said Oosthuizen, who has represented the Blitzboks in 56 tournaments since his debut in Hong Kong in 2017.
“To win in Cape Town, like the guys did last year, is really great. There’s always a good spirit in Cape Town and it makes you go on a nice holiday afterwards.”
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The 30-year-old forward is also embracing a new chapter in his personal life. He and his wife, Chané, welcomed their first child, Alexander, in July.
“Being a father is not at all how I thought it would be – it’s all better than I could have imagined,” he said. “I think it puts life into perspective for you. You actually have a reason to live. I think twice now before I do anything for myself.”
2025-26 SVNS tournaments:
29-30 November: Dubai
6-7 December: Cape Town
31 January – 1 February: Singapore
7-8 February: Australia (venue TBC)
7-8 March: Vancouver
14-15 March: USA (venue TBC)
17-19 April: Hong Kong
29-31 May: Valladolid
5-7 June: Bordeaux
Photo: David van der Sandt/Gallo Images
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