Why South African sides can’t host Champions Cup semi-finals

South African Champions Cup clubs will not host a semi-final in this season’s competition, according to Bulls boss Jake White.

The Stormers and Bulls appear to be on track to advance to the tournament’s last 16, but if they make it to the last four, they will be unable to host a semi-final, regardless of seeding.

WHY SOUTH AFRICAN SIDES CAN’T HOST SEMI-FINALS

Following the Bulls’ 31-17 victory over the Bristol Bears on Saturday, White confirmed as much.

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After that win at Ashton Gate, White revealed that the Bulls had selected the Bristol ground as their venue of choice should they end up as seeds for the last four.

“I’m not sure if you guys are aware, but the South African sides can’t host a semi-final,” White told reporters.

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“So we chose Ashton Gate as our home ground, so it’s quite ironic that we win here and if we win at Loftus (against Bordeaux), and we win the next two home games at Loftus (last 16 and quarter-final), the next game would be back at Ashton Gate, who knows maybe the stars are aligned.”

When asked why South African sides are unable to host a semi-final match a week before the Finals weekend at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, White explained that it is due to South African Rugby not yet being shareholders in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and EPCR.

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“We are not shareholders of the EPCR yet, and we are not shareholders of the URC; that still takes some time, but as non-shareholders, the semi-finals have got to be based in Europe, I think,” he said.

CHAMPIONS CUP THE PINNACLE

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White added that he feels the Champions Cup is the pinnacle of franchise or club level rugby right now.

“I have been around for a long time, so I was with Super Rugby as well, and I probably prefer this (URC and Champions Cup),” he said.

“It’s different to Super Rugby, and I say this with respect to the competition because I was part of it from the right in the beginning when I was with the Lions – Transvaal in those days – in 1996 went like Super eight and Super 10 and 12, and to be fair I think once it got to conferences and you didn’t play each other, it lost a lot of the spark.

“So this is new; we get a chance to play in the Champions Cup, and to me, it is the best club tournament in the world.

“It’s like football; if your club doesn’t get into the Champions League, players are going to want to leave, and I think rugby is going to become the same.”