NZ Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster has confirmed there are no active discussions about South African franchises returning to Super Rugby Pacific, describing SA Rugby as 'pretty bullish' about their current structure and committed to the URC for the foreseeable future.
Speaking on DSPN, Lancaster said his time in South Africa for the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series gave him direct insight into the state of the game there. 'They've got a pretty good structure: Springboks, United Rugby Championship, Currie Cup, they've got the Varsity Cup which is different to what we have, and they've got absolutely burgeoning participation numbers in South Africa as well,' he said, adding that the health of the game there was 'eye-opening' to witness first-hand.
Lancaster did not close the door permanently on a Super Rugby return but was clear it is not imminent. 'Never say never in terms of what the future could shape of competitions could look like, but that's not a conversation that we're having. Certainly not at the moment.'
His comments follow Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley's blunt dismissal of the idea last year, with Mesley citing ratings and attendance data to argue the competition performs better in its current format than it did when the SA franchises were involved.
On the broader bilateral relationship, Lancaster was emphatic. Following the recently concluded Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, he described the two unions as 'really tight' and said discussions are already underway about extending the agreement beyond its current 2030 endpoint. The Springboks are scheduled to tour New Zealand in 2030 under the existing deal, but the corresponding All Blacks tour to South Africa in 2034 is yet to be confirmed. Lancaster indicated both unions are focused on securing that return fixture and shaping what the rivalry looks like beyond it.