SA Rugby deny Springboks rebel league links, World Rugby snag revealed

It has been claimed that SA Rugby are unaware of any current Springboks signing a contract with the rebel league fronted by ex-England captain Mike Tindall.

It was reported by The Telegraph on Thursday that four ‘highest-profile’ Boks have agreed a deal with R360 – a competition which is looking to shake up the sport – although Cheslin Kolbe is not thought to be one of them.

The league is scheduled to start in September next year and it is being suggested that 160 players have already signed up.

A quartet of leading Springboks were thought to be among them but, according to Rapport, that is being denied by SA Rugby.

Barred from Test rugby

The governing body believes that any South African internationals who have committed to R360 are either former Test players or those who are prepared to forgo any possible ambitions at the highest level in order to join.

Rapport’s article states: “Boks who want to play in the 2027 Rugby World Cup tournament will therefore not just put pen to paper. All Players are registered with their national governing body, which in turn is affiliated with World Rugby.”

With the breakaway league not yet being sanctioned by World Rugby, it is understood that, as things stand, those who join would have to give up their international hopes to play in it.

Various rugby bigwigs around the world are very much monitoring proceedings closely, should the rebel league pose a major threat, but former Wallaby Simon Poidevin is less concerned.

“As far as I understand, these are non-binding contracts, just like Kerry Packer’s rebel movement in the 1990s – and nothing came of that,” Poidevin told Rapport.

“Unless there’s really big money behind it, I can’t see R360 posing a real threat to rugby.”

‘Highest-profile’ Springboks sign up for rebel league as R360 turn attention to Ardie Savea

Plenty of England stars commit

It is thought that 10 players who have featured for England in the past year have agreed contracts with R360, which means that, unless the competition is sanctioned by World Rugby – unlikely at this stage – then they could not play in Tests.

Louis Rees-Zammit is another who has reportedly signed up after leaving the NFL following 18 months in American football.

No All Blacks have so far decided to make the leap, however, with one player reportedly turning down an eye-watering $12m over three seasons, instead re-signing with New Zealand Rugby.

They have targeted both Antoine Dupont and Ardie Savea, but the latter is contracted with NZR until the end of 2027 and has committed to playing for Kobelco Kobe Steelers as part of his sabbatical next year.

Savea then wants to return to New Zealand and will feature for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific in 2027 before turning his attention to the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

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