SA Rugby Head Urges Club World Cup to Spotlight SA Franchises

SA Rugby chief executive Rian Oberholzer has expressed hope that the newly confirmed Club World Cup will elevate the importance of the Champions Cup for local teams. He believes the global nature of the new tournament could push franchises from the country to treat European competition with the seriousness it deserves.

Oberholzer was reacting to the official announcement made this past Saturday, confirming a groundbreaking new tournament set to kick off in 2028. The Club World Cup will feature 16 of the top teams from both hemispheres. This tournament finally delivers on long-standing calls for a global showdown between northern and southern powerhouses.

Franchises to Face Off on a Global Stage

The competition will include eight clubs from the Champions Cup, seven from Super Rugby, and one representative from Japan. Scheduled to take place every four years, it will serve as a replacement for the Champions Cup’s knockout rounds in Europe. This offers a fresh international spectacle that promises high-stakes drama.

Oberholzer voiced his strong support for the initiative, stating that world rugby has been missing a tournament that truly brings together elite teams from the north and south. According to him, the Club World Cup fills that void by offering a platform that can unite rugby’s top franchises under one global banner.

A Wake-Up Call for Local Rugby

Highlighting the underwhelming performances of our franchises in the Champions Cup, Oberholzer said the Club World Cup could serve as a much-needed motivator. “It should encourage our sides to approach the Champions Cup with greater intensity,” he said. Noting that only by excelling in that tournament will they earn a chance to compete on the world stage.

The SA Rugby boss believes that this global competition will naturally incentivise franchises to improve their continental performances. It adds prestige and urgency to every Champions Cup fixture.

Plenty Still to Resolve

Despite the excitement surrounding the announcement, Oberholzer admitted that several critical elements remain unresolved. From the financial model to scheduling logistics, much work lies ahead before the Club World Cup can fully take shape.

He acknowledged that no concrete broadcasting deals or sponsorships have been secured yet. “Financially, there are still only forecasts. If they hold true, the competition could bring in significant revenue—but that remains to be seen,” he told Rapport.

Oberholzer also stressed that the structures necessary to run the tournament successfully have yet to be established. With no formal agreements in place, stakeholders are still deep in discussions over how to implement the competition.

Cautious Optimism Despite Early Announcement

While the announcement has been met with excitement in the global rugby community, Oberholzer struck a note of caution, pointing out that the news might have come prematurely. “There’s still a lot of detail missing, and we don’t have all the answers yet,” he said.

However, his overall stance remains optimistic. He views the Club World Cup as a step forward for the global game—one that will not only bring commercial rewards. It will also raise the performance levels of local teams aiming to prove themselves among rugby’s elite.

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