SA Rugby is seemingly intent on changing the current competitions as they were played in 2025 to ensure that the contracted players at the Franchises will get more game-time.
Several changes were proposed over the past three months, which included a new U23 competition with an allowance made for six URC players to play in the U23 competition, to be implemented in 2026.
Initially, there were U19, U20, and U21 competitions planned, which were reduced to a U20 competition and the new U23 competition.
However, according to an informed source, SARU’s latest proposal only makes provision for a U20 competition. The four Franchises will join the SA Cup competition, which was normally played as a qualifying competition for the already shortened Currie Cup competition.
One would have expected that SA Rugby and the Rugby Unions would negotiate these massive changes currently proposed a year or even two in advance to give the rugby fraternity time to adapt to the new structures, especially regarding their scouting options and plans.
Most franchises depend on universities to “share” players, as the Varsity Cup and SA Rugby competitions were not played during the same periods; however, the current proposal will see the Varsity Cup and SA Rugby competitions played during the same time slots. This will result in the Universities and Franchises not able or willing to share their players, and and and and .............