THE word from South Africa is that Super Rugby is dying on its feet. This sends an unequivocal message to the Premiership ring-fencers among the club owners – none of whom have yet stood up to be counted – that closed shop tournaments do not interest Rugby Union supporters.
The clearest sign of all is that South African fans, like their Australian counterparts, are deserting Super Rugby in droves. Stadiums the length and breadth of the once rugby-mad nation have voted with their feet and turnstiles at grounds have stopped clicking. The ‘product’ has lost its appeal...