South African rugby fans are questioning why their franchise teams are struggling in European competitions like the Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship. Despite reaching finals and quarter-finals in previous years, recent performances have been underwhelming, raising concerns about the competitiveness and depth of local squads.
The depth at the Springboks betrays the situation at our franchise teams, where the quality of sides beyond their top 15 or 23 players has been found wanting.
Three of the five South African teams flailed this weekend after talking up their prospects. It was only the Stormers’ very unexpectedand the Cheetahs’ nail-biting 22–18 win over Zebre that were silver linings in an otherwise dismal weekend of rugby. In 2022/23, the Stormers reached the final while Bulls and Sharks reached the quarter-finals. Last season, only the Bulls reached the play-offs but they went as far as the final.
SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY EUROPEAN COMPETITIONS FRANCHISE TEAMS PLAYER DEPTH UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
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