SA Rugby Players Worried over SANZAR Bickering

August 20 - South African rugby players are fearful that the constant bickering between South Africa, the Australian Rugby Union and the New Zealand Rugby Union could threaten global rugby.

The three countries that form SANZAR are at loggerheads, and it is feared that if matters are not resolved soon, South Africa may walk away from the partnership, risking the livelihoods of hundreds of players in all three countries.

If the partnership dissolves, there is a serious risk that the future of the Tri Nations and Super Rugby competitions is up in the air.

These concerns were raised by Piet Heymans, the head of the South African Professional Rugby Players Association.

"The players view Super Rugby and the Tri Nations as the best rugby competitions in the world and also the toughest to participate in," said Heymans. "The players are concerned that emotions are driving the current differences within SANZAR."

Heymans said that should SANZAR dissolve, "it could have serious implications, not just for South African rugby but world rugby as well."

SANZAR helps bring in broadcasting deals for rugby competitions such as the Tri Nations, and any threat to the partnership would mean that many professional rugby players could see their income cut altogether.

"The SANZAR broadcasting agreement is the lifeline of South African rugby and should not be unnecessarily put at risk," said Heymans.

"During the renewal of the SANZAR broadcast deal various alternatives were investigated and the reality is that there are not viable options that can provide the players and the public with exciting world class rugby."

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