"It is of concern that a number of our top players are currently injured and are not able to participate in international Test rugby. All indications are that the new Super Rugby Competition has an immense impact on the players and that this certainly highlights the fact that when the Super Rugby Competition was designed the physical impact on the players were not known and now after the first competition season this impact appears enormous," says Piet Heymans, CEO of SARPA.
"It is clear that Super Rugby teams would not be able to compete at a high level going forward if they do not increase their squad sizes and especially from a South African context the local derbies have taken a huge toll out of the players and this is something that needs to be addressed going forward," continues Heymans.
"Medical evidence and opinion indicates that the work load placed on the players is of such a nature that top players cannot continue playing at a top level after 12-13 Super Rugby matches without breaking down and evidence of this has now been confirmed. The long term impact on the player's careers and welfare should be a serious consideration going forward and SANZAR should do a full report of all the injuries during the 2011 Super Rugby season," says Heymans.
"We are of the opinion that this needs to be discussed and debated in great detail within SANZAR to consider increasing the official Super Rugby squad sizes from 30 to at least 38-40 players," concludes Heymans.