Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos believes the possibility of any South African franchises ever rejoining Vodacom Super Rugby is slim to none.
SA Rugby withdrew it’s four remaining franchises from Super Rugby last year in favour of joining an extended PRO Rugby competition.
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Marinos, who headed up Sanzaar at the time of SA Rugby’s withdrawal, but has since been appointed RA’s CEO, says relations between South Africa and its Sanzaar partners will not be repaired in the near future.
‘I don’t think South Africa will return to Super Rugby in the foreseeable future,’ Marinos said on Friday. ‘The decision that has been taken has certainly created a distance between the old, traditional rivalries.
‘South Africa has gone off now and will be playing in the Pro16. That will also give us an opportunity to settle into a structure in the Australasian region. And see how that grows over time.
‘You can’t discount the challenges in the old Super Rugby construct. The tyranny of distance, of flying to another geography and getting yourself up mentally and physically. That was really tough. Younger guys take time to adapt to that. Where we are now is really good for Super Rugby to reboot itself.’
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