The Rugby Union's Bigger Problem Than Just Scheduling Whispers of South African teams withdrawing from European competitions have sent shockwaves through the rugby world, but these rumors are a symptom of a far deeper issue: the unsustainable burden placed on professional players.
The 12 month season is a ticking time bomb for many South African athletes, who are forced to navigate the United Rugby Championship between September and June, followed by international competition in July and August.
Saru has cited "the need to find a competitions schedule that does not compromise the health of players or the performance of teams" as the driving force behind its review.