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Cape Town - Following Jake White's suggestion that South African teams could ditch Super Rugby in favour of a tournament with English teams, readers were divided on the issue.
WIN: Cell C Sharks home match tickets!
Following the Cell C Sharks' 23-15 loss against Aviva Premiership log-leaders Saracens at Allianz Park, White, the new director of rugby at the KZN club, told the BBC website that the two countries' similar time-zones, lack of factors such as jet-lag and the financial benefits, made logistical sense.
Speaking at a time when the Heineken Cup has come under fire from English and French clubs, and Super Rugby under fire from some South African quarters, White suggested a possible tournament merging English and South African teams as an alternative in the future.
White said the strong contingent of rugby supporting South African ex-pats in England added to the viability of the idea.
There was a slight majority favouring remaining with Super Rugby, with readers claiming the southern hemisphere was still the strongest environment in which to forge quality Test players for the Springboks.
Sport24 asked:
"Following Jake White's comments that SA could replace Super Rugby with a competition against English teams, what are your thoughts?"
These were the results:
43% - It makes financial sense. Why should we subsidise NZ and Aus rugby, when we can earn top dollar up north?
57% - It would be a mistake. To be the best you have to play the best and the standard of rugby in the south is still higher
SA v England the future of SA rugby? (Gallo Images)
WIN: Cell C Sharks home match tickets!
Following the Cell C Sharks' 23-15 loss against Aviva Premiership log-leaders Saracens at Allianz Park, White, the new director of rugby at the KZN club, told the BBC website that the two countries' similar time-zones, lack of factors such as jet-lag and the financial benefits, made logistical sense.
Speaking at a time when the Heineken Cup has come under fire from English and French clubs, and Super Rugby under fire from some South African quarters, White suggested a possible tournament merging English and South African teams as an alternative in the future.
White said the strong contingent of rugby supporting South African ex-pats in England added to the viability of the idea.
There was a slight majority favouring remaining with Super Rugby, with readers claiming the southern hemisphere was still the strongest environment in which to forge quality Test players for the Springboks.
Sport24 asked:
"Following Jake White's comments that SA could replace Super Rugby with a competition against English teams, what are your thoughts?"
These were the results:
43% - It makes financial sense. Why should we subsidise NZ and Aus rugby, when we can earn top dollar up north?
57% - It would be a mistake. To be the best you have to play the best and the standard of rugby in the south is still higher
SA v England the future of SA rugby? (Gallo Images)
