The current Currie Cup Premier Division qualification process will be reviewed later this month.
According to Rapport, presidents, CEOs and coaches of the country’s 14 provincial unions are set to meet at a workshop in Joburg on 29 July to consider South Africa’s domestic competition structures.
Under the existing system, the top four teams in the SA Cup qualify for the Currie Cup Premier Division alongside the Vodacom Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers.
Missing out can have major consequences, with Premier Division teams reportedly receiving R6.3-million more from SA Rugby than those in the First Division, while also benefiting from greater broadcast exposure and sponsorship opportunities.
Ettienne de Lange, chairman of the South African Rugby Employers’ Organisation, told Rapport that several alternatives would be considered.
“One of them is, and this is something we have discussed earlier this year, to have a Currie Cup qualifying round with 14 teams and then perhaps divide it into eight and six teams,” he said.
“The second round then has a top eight [Premier Division] and bottom six [First Division].”
STONEHOUSE: Not right that SWD not in Currie Cup
De Lange stressed that any change would depend on commercial and logistical considerations.
“The first question is whether there is appetite among the sponsors and the broadcasters,” he said. “The second question is how do we fit it into the rugby calendar.
“And then whether there are enough players to be able to participate in it, especially for your four leading franchise teams, because they play in so many competitions.”
Photo: SWD Eagles/Facebook
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The current Currie Cup Premier Division qualification process will be reviewed later this month.
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