The Sad Tale of South Africa's Missing Franchise

As the fourteenth edition of Super rugby commences, little do many know about the omitted groups of South African rugby.

When the Super rugby tournament began in 1996, South Africa’s position of allocating their contributing teams was not as clear cut as their fellow SANZAR partners.

New Zealand, with 26 provincial unions, decided to create Super Rugby franchises.  Based around five of their biggest separate unions, the country was divided from North to South through the Auckland Blues, Waikato Chiefs, Wellington Hurricanes, Canterbury Crusaders and Otago Highlanders. 

Each franchise can draw upon players from the central and feeder unions.  They also employ a simple draft system to allow player exchanges.

Australia drew upon their states.  NSW and Queensland provided the first two teams as the traditional rugby powerhouse states, and the ACT Brumbies became the third team (the ACT rugby union was formed in 1938).

South Africa initially took another route.  For the first two years of the competition, they actually had their four semi-finalists from their provincial tournament – the Currie Cup – competed in the Super 12.  In 1998, they created a franchise style system like New Zealand.

But it was there that the similarities ended.

Currently in South Africa there are 14 provinces.  In the Currie Cup, the championship is split into two divisions.  The top eight teams play in the “premier” division, and the next six play in a “first” division. 

Although the format of the competition has changed, essentially the six teams in the first division play for the chance to be promoted and rewarded with entry into the Premier Division.

Of the current fourteen provinces, only eleven are represented.

The Border Bulldogs, the Mighty Elephants and the Eagles have no representation at Super rugby level.  Three clubs representing a massive number of clubs and players that are not getting exposure at the highest stage. 

When the competition expanded from the Super 12, there was much dispute as to what the fifth team’s identity was going to be.  Months of inner sanctum disputes were held between the South Africa’s Minister of Sport, SARU and the countries existing Super rugby franchises.

Two groups, one representing the Free State and Northern Cape, and another representing the Southern and Eastern Cape region; were essentially the two teams bidding for entry.

The Central Cheetahs, indicating the provinces of the Free State cheetahs, the Griffons and the Griquas entered the competition. 

However, the sixth group was guaranteed a place in the Super 14.  This was represented by a team called the Southern Spears.

A promotion/relegation system was to be implemented.

In 2006 the concept was designed that the bottom placed South African franchise would be replaced by the Spears in 2007.  The following year would then see the bottom placed team – but not the Spears—play a “relegation” match with the formerly ejected side to determine the 2008 participant.

The Spears in 2009 would then be subject to this system.

Provisions were made for sustainability of the Spears leading up into their exclusion to the competition, including granting of rights in which SA rugby would financially support the side, provide sponsors and give them a season in the 2006 Currie Cup to prepare for their entry to the competition the following year.

On the 8th of June 2005 a legal binding agreement was signed by the SA Rugby Presidents council.  This was then ratified on 2nd December 2005.

Needless to say, this has not occurred, irrespective on any legal binding contracts.

This ensured a long and almost bloody legal battle, which travelled through to the High court of South Africa.  At the end of it all, the Spears did win the fight, although SARU and SA rugby had planned to contest this decision.  At the end of 2006, all parties reached a settlement.

Won the fight perhaps, but for now, lost the war.

South Africa’s lowest performing Super rugby franchises have consistently propped up the table of the competition, prejudicing the non represented players and rewarded poor performance.

The Spears, irrespective of concerns of competitiveness or any other argument, deserved representation to allow professional rivalry between the local South African teams.  

Over a third of South Africa’s rugby players are not represented at Super rugby, and hence, international rugby level.

On June 16th, a new rugby franchise for the South Eastern Cape will be launched in Port Elizabeth, to coincide with the arrival of the British and Irish Lions. 

This complex chapter in South African rugby continues, and like the controversial quota system, let us hope for rugby and South Africa’s sake; that it does not poison their game any further.