All Blacks icon Ma’a Nonu believes the South African franchises continue to surpass their Australasian rivals in performance since leaving Super Rugby for EPCR competitions.
The DHL Stormers, Vodacom Bulls, Sharks and Lions departed the old Sanzaar competition for the inaugural Vodacom URC in 2021, before all four sides plus the Cheetahs debuted in the Champions and Challenge cups a year later.
The Stormers won the first edition of the URC on home soil while the Sharks will make history when they face English club Gloucester in the Challenge Cup final on 24 May.
Speaking on the Kick Offs and Kick Ons podcast with Wallabies greats Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell, Nonu addressed the impact of South Africa’s exit from Super Rugby, which the 103-Test star reckons is “suffering”.
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“I think the Top 14 edges Super Rugby two notches. For one, you’ve got the best players in the world in that competition,” he said.
“I hadn’t mentioned the Prem [English Premiership] and the URC because I haven’t played there, but I would say they come second and third, or maybe second equal.
“Super Rugby is still good footy because you’ve got the Australian and Kiwi players, but they haven’t got the exposure to all the other players from other countries.
“South Africa have hit the jackpot. They left because of Sanzaar, but their teams have gotten better and better. The Stormers played the first year in the URC and won the competition.
“Super Rugby’s maybe suffering, I don’t know how long it’s going to be around. The level’s still there, but I believe the Top 14 is ahead.”
Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
The post Nonu: SA teams have hit the URC jackpot appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
