‘A complete aberration’ – France legend blames South Africa for ‘rubbish’ Champions Cup

The great France wing Philippe Saint-Andre believes that the introduction of the South African sides into the Champions Cup has harmed the competition.

Following their exit from Super Rugby in 2020, South Africa decided to align with the north with four of their franchises joining the PRO14 as it became the United Rugby Championship.

Although they were not initially allowed to qualify for Europe, that changed ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The Bulls, Sharks and Stormers featured in the Champions Cup, while the Lions played in the Challenge Cup.

In addition, the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs, who aren’t currently in the URC, were given permission to compete in the second-tier tournament.

Criticism of the competition structure

There is no doubt that the interest in the Champions Cup has waned over recent years, with the format being particularly criticised.

The organisers initially started to mess around with it following the impact of Covid, which was prior to the South Africans joining, before they altered it once again ahead of this season.

“I’m not excited because for me, this new formula is rubbish. It’s nonsense to have invited South Africa to this competition,” former France head coach Saint-Andre told RMC Sport.

The ex-Montpellier and Sale Sharks boss also feels that Europe is ‘helping’ South Africa on the international stage having seen them win their fourth world title in October.

“We are going to help them to be world champions again, even though they have competed in eight World Cups and won four,” he said.

“The schedule is already very complicated for the Top 14 players and when you go to play in South Africa, the travel is incredible.

“When you play the Bulls in Pretoria, you’re going to play at 1,000 metres above sea level. Normally, you have to arrive a week before to be competitive, but you arrive 48 hours before instead.”

Carbon emissions

Saint-Andre is equally worried about the extra travel, which can have environmental implications and increase the financial burden.

“Then we talk about global warming. For me it’s nonsense to have invited South Africa. We had a very well organised European Cup with magnificent teams,” the 56-year-old added.

“There, we are still trying to help South Africa. We changed the name of the competition and the truth is, when you calculate the travel costs, South Africa don’t add anything to this competition.

“For me, this is a complete aberration!”

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