The six local unions set to host Springbok Tests this year are reportedly considering not paying the fees that SA Rugby has charged for the matches.
In July, the Springboks will face Ireland in a two-Test series in Pretoria and Durban, before playing a historic first Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein.
In the 2024 Rugby Championship, the Boks take on the All Blacks in back-to-back Tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town and then face Argentina in Nelspruit at the end of September.
According to Sunday newspaper Rapport, rugby bosses from the Sharks, Bulls, Stormers and Lions have sought legal opinion after SA Rugby reportedly requested a combined R85 million in fees for hosting the six Test matches.
The four big unions believe they have a case to simply not pay SA Rugby, as according to the 2020 budget model approved by SA Rugby’s main council, there are no guarantee amounts payable for the hosting rights of 2024 Tests.
SA Rugby is claiming that the model for Test matches falls outside of the budget model that was in place for the last four years.
“Is it really so unfair to ask for the guarantee amounts if some of the unions will still make a profit of around R30 million this year with certain Tests?” a source told Rapport.
“The R85 million will become part of the budget model. Saru will divide that money between the 14 unions. Saru has to make money somewhere for its budget model.”
Photo: Peter Heeger/Gallo Images
The post Unions ramp up Bok Test dispute appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
