South African rugby fans know this story all too well—our teams dominate the URC, but when it comes to the Champions Cup, the same intensity just isn’t there.
Now, there’s talk of a new competition that might just change that.
It’s called the Club World Cup, and if it gets off the ground, it might finally give the Champions Cup the urgency South African teams have been missing.
At least, that’s what SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer believes.
Champions Cup Takes a Backseat for SA Teams
Let’s be honest—whether it’s the Sharks, the Bulls, or the Stormers, they’ve all been accused of using the Champions Cup as a second-tier competition.
While they field full-strength sides in the United Rugby Championship (URC), they often rest big names during European match weeks.
The results speak for themselves.
All three teams bowed out early, with just five points each, and none of them made it past the Champions Cup group stages.
On the flip side, they’ve all marched into the URC quarter-finals—finishing fifth, third, and second on the log.
A Club World Cup Could Change the Game
That’s why Oberholzer sees huge potential in the idea of a Club World Cup.
He believes it’s not just about creating another tournament—it’s about building a real bridge between clubs from the northern and southern hemispheres.
Still, as exciting as the concept sounds, there’s plenty that still needs to be ironed out.
Big Plans, But No Guarantees Yet
While Oberholzer is optimistic, he’s also realistic. The tournament isn’t locked in just yet.
“The financial aspect is something that still needs to be figured out,” he said.
Right now, everything is based on projections—no firm broadcasting deals, no signed sponsorships.
In other words, there’s potential for a financial windfall, but we’re not there yet.
“The announcement is somewhat premature,” Oberholzer admitted, “and we don’t have all the answers yet.”
Champions Cup Boss Shares the Vision
Dominic McKay, chairman of the Champions Cup, echoed similar excitement.
Over the weekend, he revealed that talks about a Club World Cup have been ongoing for a couple of years within the EPCR (European Professional Club Rugby).
“We’ve had some great meetings with our Board and General Assembly,” McKay shared, noting that everyone—from all three leagues and seven unions—is on board with the idea.
He made it clear: there’s unanimous support for turning the Club World Cup into a reality.
Now, it’s just about pulling all the pieces together.
So, What’s Next?
For now, fans will have to wait and see.
The concept is exciting and has the potential to change the way clubs—especially in South Africa—approach the Champions Cup.
If it gets off the ground, we might start seeing our best players suiting up for all the big games, not just the URC clashes.
But until the financials are solid and the calendar is set, it remains an exciting “what if.”