The Vodacom URC, aligned with the northern hemisphere calendar, leads to a sporadic campaign that doesn’t suit South African sides or supporters, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The competition resumes with round 12 this weekend, and writing on his blog Keo.co.za, Keohane highlights the disadvantage of frequent breaks to accommodate players in the Six Nations, leaving their SA rivals in the Republic inactive for up to two weeks at a time.
He argues that this not only affects player conditioning but also diminishes the URC’s presence in the South African sports fan’s diary, and emphasises the need for local franchises to stay competitive while engaging supporters despite these challenges.
Keohane acknowledges upcoming opportunities for uninterrupted action and underscores the importance of the performances of the DHL Stormers, Vodacom Bulls, Sharks and Lions in revitalising enthusiasm for the URC.
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“South Africa’s move north for the four elite professional club teams in the United Rugby Championship was the right move, but a solution must be found for the stop-start nature of the season,” he writes
“South Africa’s rugby public has always been accustomed to a one-league domestic system, in which the domestic teams complete their competition schedule before the start of the international season, which has always been around June/July.
“The interest in rugby up north hits a peak during the Six Nations and the URC and Champions Cup and Challenge Cup remain top of mind because most players involved in these competitions play for Wales, Ireland, Italy and Scotland.
“It is an advantage that there is no extended break for the international players from these nations, whereas in South Africa all four URC teams and the Cheetahs, who play in the Challenge Cup, are still grappling with how best to navigate these two lengthy breaks in the season.”
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
The post SA teams shackled by ‘stop-start’ URC appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
