SANZAAR is set to drop three teams for next years’ Super Rugby to reduce the competition to 15 teams.

New Zealand and Australia have made no secret about wanting two South African franchises to be cut from the competition and at this stage the Port Elizabeth based Southern Kings and the Bloemfontein-based Toyota Cheetahs are in the crosshairs.

Recent reports suggest that should the Cheetahs get the boot, they will receive financial compensation for the next two-years because they are under contract and will still be a Super Rugby entity.

However in the bigger scheme of things that is all academic.

In 11 seasons as a standalone franchise the Cheetahs have reached the play-offs only once - in 2013.

That season they won 10 out of 16 matches, they have not won more than five games a season in any other year.

Since 2006 Cheetahs have played 165 games, won 52, lost 110 and drawn three - a winning ratio of 31.7%. The Lions are have won 31.2% of their games, the Bulls 49.2%, the Stormers 54%, the Sharks 51.9% and Southern Kings just 17.6%

Following their 38-30 loss to the Sharks over the weekend the Cheetahs coach Franco Smith conceded that the looming axe has put unnecessary pressure on the team, however they do merit to stay in the competition.

“We can only control the controllables, it’s easy to say that but it is about actions.

“I believe we merit to stay in this competition. The whole of the central part of South Africa merits a stay in this competition.

“We must just put that behind us this week and just focus on what we can control. We are a good side, we are a good team and we are better than we were tonight.

“I feel outside influences did influence some of our decision-making. It is tough but it is something we have to deal with and hopefully a decision will be made soon.”

Colonel Peet Kleynhans, who coached the Free State and Cats back in the day and has been a major player in Free State rugby for many years, shares Smith’s sentiments and believes that a cut will just add fuel to the already growing problem of a player exodus to overseas clubs.

“It’s all about you work situation.

“Now you’re a sportsman and it gives you an opportunity to earn an income. Now the opportunities are a lot less for these young players.

“As a consequence they players will be heading overseas because it’s a lot more lucrative and the opportunities are more”.

Having first-hand experience of coaching a regional team, Kleynhans agrees that the old systems doesn’t work.

Kleynhans he suggested that a possible solution to the problem would be to have the top four teams in the Currie Cup earn their place in the Super Rugby for the following season.

“Take the top four teams in South Africa, the way it ends in the Currie Cup and let them go and play”.

I’m an ideal world this would be a perfect solution but it has pros and cons.

A major pro would mean a much more competitive Currie Cup, something South African rugby fans have been wanting for a long time.

On the flip side of the coin it will influence sponsorship deals with teams and players will only be able to be contracted for a year.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport