Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio has argued that the current structure of the Champions Cup only benefits South African teams.
The DHL Stormers’ victory over defending champions La Rochelle in Cape Town marked a 10th-straight home win for a South African team in the Champions Cup.
Europe’s top-flight tournament has had its teething problems since the South Africans were allowed to qualify through the Vodacom URC.
The local franchises have had to cope with long-haul flights in economy class for away games in the northern hemisphere, contributing to a poor record in Europe.
The Sharks’ win in Bordeaux and the Stormers’ victory against the now-defunct London Irish were South Africa’s only away wins in nine Champions Cup games last season.
However, ex-England captain Lawrence Dallaglio still feels that South Africa’s participation in the Champions Cup only benefits the world champions and that the travel factor actually puts the often richer European teams at a disadvantage.
“The South African concept is not one that sits that comfortably with me at the moment,” the Wasps legend said, on the Evening Standard Rugby Podcast this week.
“Some people would argue differently. Maybe the players would. I don’t know, I’d love to hear what the teams themselves think about traveling to South Africa, playing at altitude and in the heat, having been there for five days and then having a quick turnaround and having to then play another game the following week.
“I think that the South Africans are very good at rugby. We know that they’ve just won the Rugby World Cup again for the fourth time, they don’t need any more help.
“So I don’t like the fact that we give them more help by introducing them to European Champions Cup Rugby. I think the only team that it benefits are the South Africans really.
“I think that it’s probably a move that’s irreversible, particularly given that (new sponsors) Investec have now invested significant amounts of money and Investec have a big South African presence. South Africa will probably win the next two or three World Cups without any more help from us.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo