South African involvement in Champions Cup isn't working

It's just not working. South African sides' involvement in the Champions Cup has proven to be a disaster.

The four SA franchises along with invitational side the Cheetahs were brought into EPCR competitions to bolster the tournaments' commercial value.

Having the Bulls, Lions, Stormers and Sharks featured in the United Rugby Championship has given the previously known Pro 14 a much-needed commercial boost and given that every URC final since 2021 has featured at least one South African outfit, their involvement is justified.

However, the same can't be said in European competition. The ridiculous travelling, competing on two fronts across hemispheres has meant most sides' hands have been tied, having to operate with second or third string teams when playing away from home. The proof is in the pudding that SA's priority is the URC and that’s shown in the amount of empty seats.

No representation in the Champions Cup knockout stages

To have zero teams in the last 16 in arguably the most prestigious tournament in world rugby shows they aren't adding any value to the tournament.

The Bulls and Stormers finished runners-up in their pools last season, but the latter were narrowly beaten 22-21 at La Rochelle in the last eight. Jake White's Bulls thrashed Lyon and headed into the quarter-finals, only to field a team of fringe players and were subsequently thumped away at Northampton in an ugly look for the tournament.

This year the Stormers finished bottom of Pool 4, and the Bulls could only muster fifth in Pool 3.

Challenge Cup success

There is an argument to suggest that South African teams should purely participate in the second tier Challenge Cup, given the tournament's need to grow commercially.

The Sharks won last season's title to become the first SA champion in Europe, while the Cheetahs and Lions could only muster a round of 16 place.

The Sharks, Lions and Bulls have reached the last 16 of this year's tournament, and time will tell if they can replicate the nation's success of last year, but the jury remains out on South Africa sides competing in Europe.