British rugby writer Stephen Jones has once again taken aim at South African rugby’s place in the northern hemisphere game.
He’s launched a scathing attack against the clubs and their involvement in the URC and European competitions.
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Writing in his latest Sunday Times column, Jones doubled down on a long-held view that the inclusion of South African teams has damaged the United Rugby Championship, the Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup – both competitively and culturally.
“One of the drawbacks of the URC is that unless there is a local derby involved, because of the travel, the matches never draw away fans, which removes a great deal of the atmosphere – and it is also true that, occasionally, some of the clubs do not draw many home fans either,” he wrote.
But it was his criticism of South Africa’s presence in Europe that was most striking and most dismissive.
“The rank stupidity of having South African teams (or, rather, South African second teams) in previously European competitions – the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup – as well as the URC has held them all back grievously.”
Jones went further, suggesting frustration is brewing within coaching ranks across the north.
“There are directors of rugby who despair of the vast trips involved just when they are finding their rhythm in the season and who believe there is no way the competitions can last long in the present formats,” he wrote.
Perhaps most inflammatory for South African supporters was Jones’ portrayal of the country’s provincial heavyweights as insignificant outside their borders.
“Back at home in a revitalised Currie Cup, say, the South African provinces are huge brands. Here in the URC, they are pipsqueak.”
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He also questioned the commitment of South African teams to European competition, claiming the Springboks are rarely deployed.
“It is massive in its concept, but not in the playing. It is extremely rare that South African teams deign to field all (or even some) of their Springboks. Let us say that they get a good rest more than they get an outing.”
The Stormers are currently unbeaten after six rounds in the URC and the two rounds of the Champions Cup played so far.
Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
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