Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
The Rainbow Cup Final between Benetton and the Vodacom Bulls made it clear that the "youth policy" of the South African franchises' are making it impossible to compete nor win the United Rugby Championship.
A new trend is busy establishing itself at the four franchises from South Africa which will compete in the United Rugby Championship. Much older, read 25-30-year-old players are being contracted with younger players' contracts being cancelled as well as not renewed.
Cash strapped SARU has cancelled the u/19 and u/21 age group competitions in favour of an u/20 competition. The Vodacom Cup (u/25) was also a victim in the reshaping of the South African rugby landscape.
With the limitation of 45 senior players to be contracted by each Franchise several u/20 players were used in senior competitions which proved to be "fatal" to the franchises title hopes against well organised overseas clubs.
I ask the question in this episode if rugby in South Africa currently won't be better served by an u/23 competition. which will close the gap between "younger" players and players "viable" for the United Championship.
We discuss the pros and cons of my proposal.