Southern Spears Super 14 hopes dashed
http://www.sabcnews.com/sport/rugby/...136052,00.html
The Southern Spears, the South Eastern Cape Super 14 rugby franchise, hopes of taking part in next year's competition seems to have been dashed.
SA Rugby has gained control of rugby in the region by obtaining 50% shares in the commercial companies of the Border, Eastern Province and South Western District rugby unions. SA Rugby is opposed to the Spears playing in the Super 14 next season.
It was all smiles in the corridors of SA Rugby today, following months of court battles and behind the scenes wrangling. The case ended up in the Cape High Court following SA Rugby's decision to withdraw the Spears' participation in next year's Super 14 and Currie Cup competitions. SA Rugby says all three unions are insolvent and do not comply with SANZAR specifications. Koos Basson, the Saru vice president, says they are going to assist them to rebuild their financial structures, player structures and even their club structures to eventually be the strong unions they use to be.
But the take over does not affect the future of the Spears as a franchise. Basson says the Spears won't disappear, it's a matter of preparing them for eventually taking part in the Super 14.
Earlier SA Rugby was granted leave to appeal against a Cape High Court order entitling the Spears to participate in next year's competitions. Rugby bosses now hope to settle the matter before the appeal date on November 23.
