South African clubs could withdraw from European competitions

A major review into the schedule of South African rugby union is to be held by the country's governing body, which could have wide-reaching ramifications for the domestic and international calendar.

South African Rugby Union (Saru) will undertake a "strategic planning session" before the end of July and, while it insists any predictions are "premature", one live possibility is the withdrawal of South African teams from the European Champions and Challenge Cups.

As it stands, many South African players are in action 12 months a year - given they play domestically in Europe in the United Rugby Championship (URC) between September and June, and then in international competition in July and August.

Saru says the review is in response to the "need to find a competitions schedule that does not compromise the health of players or the performance of teams".

The statement added: "The views of all internal stakeholders will be canvassed and workshopped on the domestic and international playing calendar for South African players."

The South African professional teams were involved in the southern hemisphere domestic competition, Super Rugby, since its inception in 1996.

However, Saru administrators had long favoured a move north to Europe, given the similar time zone, and four South African sides - Stormers, Bulls, Sharks and Lions - joined the URC in 2020.

European Professional Club Rugby then welcomed South African teams into the Champions and Challenge Cups from 2022 onwards.

The South African sides made an immediate mark in the URC, with Stormers winning the title in their first full season and Bulls making three of the past four finals, and are now locked into the league as permanent shareholders.

"There is no doubt about the hugely positive impact South African rugby has had on our league, and confirmation of their addition as a shareholder was always part of the roadmap," URC chief executive Martin Anayi said in 2025.

But, while the transition to the URC has been considered a success by administrators, South African involvement in the Champions Cup has been ridden with difficulties on and off the pitch.

While the Sharks won the Challenge Cup in 2024, no South African team has progressed past the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup, while there have been constant challenges regarding logistics and travel.

Meanwhile, despite playing club rugby north of the equator, the Springboks have continued to play in the Rugby Championship, the southern hemisphere competition featuring South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia.

A handful of Springboks players manage a light workload because they play club rugby in Japan, but those who play for a club side in the URC, Prem or Top 14 are faced with the prospect of a 12-month season.

The Saru review comes as rugby bosses are also considering a major revamp to the Champions Cup, with one option to reduce the tournament to about 16 teams and play it in one block at the back end of the season.