South African franchises in the Investec Champions Cup, particularly the Sharks and Stormers, have expressed concerns over the demanding schedule and travel arrangements after suffering heavy defeats to English teams Leicester Tigers and Harlequins, respectively. Both sides fielded understrength teams due to a busy fixture calendar, which led to bruising losses: the Sharks were thrashed 56-17, and the Stormers lost 53-16. This has sparked a call for changes in the tournament format, with some suggesting that South African teams should play back-to-back games in the same hemisphere to reduce the impact of long-haul travel.
Sharks head coach John Plumtree and Stormers coach John Dobson both criticized the current structure, arguing that it puts undue strain on players and compromises performance. Plumtree highlighted the harsh travel schedule and the resulting toll on player welfare, stating that the players are being treated like “robots.” Dobson, while appreciative of the opportunity to compete, emphasized that the current model might jeopardize the long-term success of South African rugby.
Dobson also raised concerns that, unless changes are made, South African teams might struggle to remain competitive in the Champions Cup, which has been beneficial for the country’s rugby development, particularly in the lead-up to World Cup successes. The coaches called for better squad management and a more balanced approach to competition, stressing that recruitment and squad size need improvement for South African teams to compete at the highest level.
Both coaches expressed a sense of urgency to address these issues, warning that the future of South African rugby could be negatively impacted if the situation is not managed effectively. They also pointed out that the Champions Cup has been crucial in enhancing the skills and competitiveness of South African teams, which could be lost if the country were to leave the competition.