Bob Skinstad has criticized rugby’s failure to implement a global calendar and responded to ongoing criticism regarding South Africa’s involvement in Europe’s premier club competition, the Investec Champions Cup. South Africa’s top franchises—Sharks, Stormers, and Bulls—are competing in the European tournament for the third consecutive year, despite being based in a different hemisphere. While some initially opposed South Africa’s inclusion in the tournament, Skinstad insists their participation enhances the competition.
Skinstad, a former Springbok captain and current co-owner of French second-division club Beziers, argued that South African teams consistently perform well despite challenges like fewer players and tougher travel logistics compared to their European counterparts. He pointed to the success of South African teams in the United Rugby Championship and the Sharks’ victory in the Challenge Cup as evidence of their quality.
The debate over South Africa’s involvement in Europe’s rugby scene is partly about resistance to change and the sport’s attachment to tradition. Skinstad acknowledged the natural human instinct to be wary of newcomers, but he emphasized that rugby must adapt to survive, especially in light of the sport’s financial struggles. Leading clubs are facing financial difficulties, and national unions are increasingly cash-strapped.
Skinstad also voiced frustration with the long-awaited global rugby calendar overhaul, which won’t take effect until 2026 at the earliest. He criticized the lack of consensus among rugby leaders and likened the situation to a family arguing over where to have a Christmas meal but never settling on a location. Skinstad believes that a global calendar would allow the best players to consistently compete in the best teams, benefiting the sport as a whole.
He speculated that had the global calendar been implemented sooner, the sport might be in a better financial state, and clubs like Wasps, Worcester, London Irish, Jersey Reds, and Melbourne Rebels might still be operational. He also suggested that South Africa’s move away from Super Rugby has been detrimental to the competition, noting that when South Africa was part of Super Rugby, the competition had more variety and excitement. Without South African teams, New Zealand and Australia are now facing challenges, as their competitions have become more predictable and less engaging.
Skinstad reflected on conversations with former players who regretted the absence of South African teams in Super Rugby, which, according to them, diminished the overall challenge in the competition. South African teams are now contributing that sharp competition to the northern hemisphere, where teams will soon experience the intense physicality and high standard they bring to the game.