South Africa’s double World Cup-winning stars are understood to be keen to bid for what would be an unprecedented third straight global crown rather than signing for R360.
Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks have lifted the last two William Webb Ellis Cups in 2019 and 2023 and are firm favourites for the 2027 tournament. No country has ever won three consecutive World Cups.
Doing so is a big attraction to South Africa’s best players which is why their leading lights are understood to be reluctant to commit to rugby’s rebel league at this stage.
The same applies for the more junior Springboks like breakthrough sensation Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Last week, South Africa joined England’s RFU and rugby’s other leading unions in confirming players who sign for R360 – which is slated to begin in 2026 – will be banned from representing their countries. That’s despite South Africa’s current selection ruling stating that you can represent the Springboks wherever a player plays their club rugby.
Should players such as iconic captain Siya Kolisi move to R360, they would no longer be able to represent their country.
South Africa stars are not thought to be interested in joining breakaway league R360 and will instead focus on the 2027 World Cup
Securing superstars like Springboks captain Siya Kolisi would have been a goal for the rebels
Given the world-class ability and superstar status of players such as Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe, among others, South Africa’s key men would have been on R360’s radar. R360 has targeted younger players in a bid for its eight new franchise teams to play a fast, entertaining and attacking brand of rugby. Its organisers, led by England 2003 World Cup winner Mike Tindall, have maintained the multi-union statement has not changed their ambitions.
But there is a strong feeling in rugby that the position of the leading unions is a significant blow to the league’s chances of attracting the game’s top stars which has been their stated desire.
England stars Fin Smith and George Ford have signed new deals with their PREM Rugby clubs instead of joining R360.
South Africa’s position is similar to England’s in that they do not want to weaken their domestic sides – who play in the United Rugby Championship – by allowing players to leave for R360. And their country’s rugby board is made up of presidents from teams such as the Stormers and Sharks, so there is full agreement on that view.
Centre Lukhanyo Am, a starter in the 2019 World Cup final win over England and a late call-up in 2023, is one South African player interested in R360.
Vincent Tshituka and Ben Jason Dixon are others, but those three players are exceptions to the general rule.
