Super Rugby’s ruling body Sanzaar have announced that they will revert to a Super 15 Rugby format from the start of the 2018 season.
Super Rugby expanded to 18 teams in 2016 but this has not been popular with the broadcasters and fans so Sanzaar will revert to 15 teams in three conferences.
As a result Australia will lose one Super Rugby team and South Africa will lose two teams. Super Rugby’s newcomers the Jaguares (Argentina) and the Sunwolves (Japan) will retain their places.
It is widely expected that the Cheetahs, Western Force and the Southern Kings will be the teams cut from the tournament.
In the new 15 team Super Rugby structure there will be three conferences. Five teams will be from New Zealand, four from Australia, four from South Africa, one from Japan; and one from Argentina.
This restructuring by SANZAAR represents a crucial step in its strategic planning process that has included a comprehensive assessment of the economic and sporting environment under which its tournaments (Super Rugby and The Rugby Championship) are currently operating.
This assessment highlighted a need to adjust and strengthen Super Rugby in the short-term to ensure a robust and sustainable tournament meets the requirements of all stakeholders in terms of high performance pathways, game development, commercial revenue and fan engagement.
The change sees an overall reduction of three teams from the current 18-team format, two from South Africa and one from Australia. The Sunwolves will move into the Australian Conference. The teams from Australia and South Africa that will compete in Super Rugby will be confirmed in due course by the respective National Unions.
SANZAAR Chairman, Brent Impey stated, “The decision to revert to a 15-team format reflects a consensus view of the mandated SANZAAR Executive Committee that met in London recently. It was not the determination of any one Union or stakeholder and follows a thorough assessment and review of the tournament over the last nine months.
“SANZAAR is delighted that its major broadcast partners have after due consideration agreed to the restructured format within the existing broadcast agreements. Our broadcast partners are an important stakeholder and their vision for Super Rugby moving forward is the same as ours.”
* New Zealand Conference
Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes
* Australian Conference
Four Australian teams (TBC), Sunwolves
* South Africa Conference
Four South Africa teams (TBC), Jaguares
