Steve Lancaster, the CEO of NZ Rugby, has not closed the door on South African clubs rejoining Super Rugby, despite the apparent success of their transition to the United Rugby Championship (URC) post-2020. The major South African teams, including the Bulls, Lions, Sharks, and Stormers, have found solid footing in the URC, building strong reputations since their shift.
In a recent interview on DSPN with Martin Devlin, Lancaster conveyed a mixed sentiment about the return of the South African squads to Super Rugby. Although no immediate plans are being discussed, the door remains ajar for future possibilities. “They’re committed for a period of time. I’m not sure exactly what that time frame is, but that’s not a conversation that we’re having. Certainly not at the moment,” he stated.
The context of Lancaster's remarks is a broader consideration by NZ Rugby to revamp its domestic and professional competition structures. As changes loom, maintaining a strong relationship with South African rugby remains a priority. Lancaster emphasized the need to keep an open mind about future competition formats and the inclusion of South African teams.
“Again, never say never in terms of what the future shape of competitions could look like, but South Africa are pretty bullish about how things have played out for them, and the evidence would say it’s all working pretty well,” Lancaster noted.
As global rugby dynamics evolve, the integration or reintegration of teams into different leagues remains a topic of strategic importance. The potential for South African teams to return to Super Rugby underscores ongoing discussions in the rugby world about the best structures for competitive and financial success.
While no immediate changes are expected, the relationship and results from the current arrangements will likely influence decisions in the coming years. The success of South African teams in the URC may serve as a benchmark for how cross-regional competitions could evolve, potentially setting the stage for more integrated global rugby competitions in the future.
