SARrugby.com

SANZAR CEO Greg Peters on Thursday expressed confidence that the Super Rugby series would continue to serve as a stronghold in the southern hemisphere post-2015 despite suggestions in certain quarters in South Africa that a new competition might spark more interest once the existing Super Rugby broadcast deal expires.

Sanzar is the governing body of Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship. Such was Peters’s confidence in the future of the tournament, he said they hoped to agree on the series format from 2016 with the South African, New Zealand and Australian rugby unions by the end of the year.

With the Lions being dropped from Super Rugby to accommodate the Southern Kings this year, the Johannesburg-based union formed its own breakaway series of matches as a substitute for Super Rugby.

This features games against a few international teams, including Samoa and Namibia, as well as clashes against French and American clubs — a concept Golden Lions Rugby Union president Kevin de Klerk and many fans believe could offer a fresh alternative in future to the established southern hemisphere series.

Peters, however, was confident that this would have no influence on the future of Super Rugby and said: "We don’t see the Lions’ matches as being a threat. Obviously the union did well to arrange a series of fixtures for the next few months, but I am sure that was with the view to getting back into Super Rugby.

"They play two promotion-relegation fixtures later this year against the last-placed South African franchise and if they come out on top after those matches, they will be back in Super Rugby next season."

Asked when Sanzar planned to discuss any possible changes to the competition and the new broadcast deal with its member unions, Peters said it had already started the process.

"We have been and will continue to work closely with our members to determine what the future (series) will look like," said Peters. "I have already stated that we will consider including new territories such as the Americas, Asia and Argentina, but hopefully we can agree later in the year on the format of the series, after which we have to sell the concept (to the broadcasters). "

In line with this, Peters was aware South Africa would require six franchises in future to alleviate the problem of trying to squeeze six teams into five spots and to ensure Sanzar’s transformation objectives were met by accommodating the Southern and Eastern Cape franchise on a long-term basis.

"We don’t have a closed mind to another South African franchise," he said.

"We know that it is imperative to South Africa to have six teams and we are giving that consideration."

Do we have the depth to have 6 teams given the exodus of players to the NH?  Also how manysides will there eventually be in the Super Comp? 

Beeno with correct management we have the depth to run 6 teams. It will be a good thing as more young players will get exposure at this level and the boks will have a bigger pool of plyers to choose from.

This however does not say that all 6 teams will do well. It only indicates that we can do it.

I would like to see it happen.

 Short answer is you don't have the depth in SA for a 6th team, especially when you consider a SA team finishes last most years!

Any increase in the number of teams would make the competition shambolic and encroach further on the already congested international season.

Ek we might have the depth but dont use it. Look how the queens have ignored SWD and Border - not one player from those regions.

Look how Griguas get so few players in the Cheetahs Super 15 squad. Then you have the Pumas and Leopards etc. There are some useful players there. Trouble is the franchise holders will only use their own players.  Boland seldom get a player into the Stormers. Talent is definitely overlooked.

Moola I think 4 teams from each country worked well? Two rounds  etc.

Beeno Moola is under a misconception, South Africa defenitely has the depth in player personel to carry it.

The question ins not Players the question is Coaching depth. As i said we should go for the 6th team they will get a knock first 2 years but then settle. Statistically you should expect one or two of the teams to end somewher down at the bottome that is the general trend in a competition, some teams have to lose.

What a joke, the comp should stay at 5 sides per country. They will dilute it they add more sides. Let the Kings have their season, let them get their arses kicked and be done with it. The window dressing should only be endured for one season.

Lets hope Oz, NZ and the sponsors tell SA to shove it with regards to 6 teams next year

 Beeno, there's a first time for everything and for once we're on the same page!

They should never have allowed 5 teams each in the first place as it has clearly diluted the competition. The good teams are obviously ok but the bad teams are pathetic and totally outclassed in most matches.

It's bullshit that the 2 top sides from last year never actually got to play each other in the entire comp and now we have the ridiculous situation of the S15 going into hibernation whilst the RC takes place. It's all about building momentum throughout the comp but it all fell a little flat for me with that break, even though my own team ended up winning it.

Let's take it back to 4 teams per country where we had a full round robin of matches and a true championship.

It's garbage to suggest diluting it even further by allowing 6 teams.