SA Rugby CEO Riaan Oberholzer says turning a global rugby calendar into reality will require meaningful compromise from all stakeholders.
Speaking at a Springbok media day in Cape Town on Monday, Oberholzer stressed that alignment of the international and domestic seasons is crucial for player welfare and competitive balance.
“I think everybody understands that we need a global season for various reasons,” he said. “If you look at player welfare and proper rest time for professional players, and to give leagues a fair opportunity to have their players available, it becomes very important.
“It also helps national teams not to worry about Regulation 9 releases or non-Regulation 9 matches. A global season would bring clarity.”
READ: SA happy rugby remains rugby
World Rugby’s Regulation 9 governs the mandatory release of players by clubs to national teams for international matches, training and tournaments within designated international windows.
The stumbling block, however, is finding common ground.
“How we get there is the challenge,” Oberholzer admitted. “We can’t have a global season if nobody is willing to sacrifice something. Everybody will have to give something up in the way they are used to doing things.
“The Six Nations might have to shift. We might have to move the Rugby Championship closer to that window. We all agree in principle – but when it comes to the nitty-gritty of who moves and what we are willing to change, that’s where it becomes difficult.
“The best scenario for us is a calendar with a window for international rugby, then a window for the leagues, and then another international window. The challenge is fitting that into 365 days.”
OBERHOLZER: SA won’t host RWC again
Commercial realities also loom large.
“It’s easy to say, ‘Let’s play the Rugby Championship in the Six Nations window,’ but what will the broadcasters say? There are many factors to consider. You almost have to start with a clean sheet of paper and see if everything can fit.”
A World Rugby working group is exploring options, with clarity hoped for by 2027.
Springbok conditioning coach Andy Edwards added that a global season would naturally assist player management.
“It would enforce a more globalised rest period for the players. If it happens, it would certainly help solve that internally.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post SA Rugby CEO: Global season needs compromise appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
