The current broadcast deal expires at the end of the season, but the Sanzaar partners have agreed an extension to 2025.
The Sunwolves will fall away at the end of this campaign which should see Super Rugby take on a leaner and meaner format next season. But while the competition may then actually prove more competitive, outside influences may shape where SA play their Test and franchise rugby beyond 2025.
Through its Draft Sport Broadcasting Services Regulations, government intends being more prescriptive to sports federations about how broadcast rights are divvied up but a bigger change agent will be the investment made in the sport. CVC Capital Partners's dramatic entry as stakeholder in Europe looks to be a game changer.
They are major disruptors to the world order, having already taken a stake in Premiership rugby; and they are also involved in an exclusive period of negotiation for a piece of the Six Nations pie. They are also set to acquire a 27% stake in Pro 14 where the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings are competing. Moreover, SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux has been rubbing shoulders with those movers and shakers.
Sanzaar nations are going south
While NZ Rugby and Sky are now more closely aligned after the former took a 5% stake in the broadcaster, some ex-players have called on NZ Rugby to align themselves with rugby territories closer to home in the Pacific, including Japan.
SA players won't complain if the country's alliance lines are redrawn beyond 2025. The effects of long-distance travel, so long the nemesis of SA teams, will be drastically reduced should teams compete in similar time zones in which the farthest destinations are connected by an overnight flight.
"The travel and accommodation has definitely been to our benefit.
"You're not flying east-west, which fatigues players," said Cheetahs CEO Harold Verster.
Verster believes commercial considerations will weigh heavily on the Sanzaar nations over the next few years. "Australia is under huge pressure, Argentina hasn't really developed their market and even New Zealand are now feeling the pinch. I think commercially the picture will change dramatically over the next few years. Players are being paid huge salaries and somehow we need to meet that," said Verster.
He admits playing in the Pro 14 is tougher than they anticipated. "But we are adapting. There is no doubt the exposure we are getting has been to our benefit. Northern hemisphere exposure has also helped the Springboks, especially if you look at how our players based in Europe performed in the World Cup. Those players were so sharp."
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