Overview

• South African teams suffered heavy losses in the Champions Cup, with the Stormers losing 53-16 to Harlequins and the Sharks falling 56-17 to Leicester Tigers, both fielding understrength squads.
• Coaches John Dobson of the Stormers and John Plumtree of the Sharks criticized the demanding travel schedules and player workloads, citing the need to better manage their squads' Springboks players.
• Dobson emphasized the importance of South African participation in the Champions Cup for the development of their rugby, warning that exclusion would harm the sport in the country.
• Suggestions for improvement include restructuring fixtures to allow for multi-game tours, enabling teams to bring stronger squads and maintain competitiveness.
• Critics argue that South African teams must improve performances to justify their inclusion, while others call for tournament organizers to address logistical challenges to ensure fair competition.