SA Rugby statement: Bulls' R4.1m travel arrangements
South African rugby officials have clarified the situation regarding this week’s travel plans to get the Bulls to England for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup quarter-final versus Northampton.
The Pretoria franchise defeated Lyon last Saturday in their round-of-16 tie at home at Loftus, but they didn’t know until the following day whether they would have to travel to the northern hemisphere for their next match or else host Irish side Munster this weekend.
In the end, Northampton won 24-14, giving the Bulls an away last-eight match that has resulted in Jake White criticising the travel logistics involved in the tournament.
The Bulls' issues with getting to England in time to prepare for their match are reminiscent of what happened last year when the Stormers defeated Harlequins in Cape Town in the round of 16 and then had to get to Exeter the following weekend for a quarter-final.
An SA Rugby statement on the travel concerns raised this week by Bulls boss White read: “Media are advised that SA Rugby provided 38 flights for the Vodacom Bulls Investec Champions Cup quarter-final squad – 33 in business class and five in economy class.
“The playing squad will arrive in London before 08h00 local time on Wednesday having travelled overnight in business class on two airlines: British Airways (24 players and management) and Lufthansa (four players and management).
“The coach and CEO also flew directly to London overnight on Virgin in business class. The balance of eight of the tour squad (four management and four players) travelled via Zurich, Doha, and Dubai.
“Media will appreciate that the high demand for business class seats in and out of South Africa, allied to the reduced number of flights into the country and the late confirmation of the required seats (Sunday evening) made it well-known to all parties that securing business class seats on a single flight would be impossible.
“Pre-booking seats was discounted as an option in view of the potential risk of loss of 100 per cent of the flight cost for a group booking, should it not be required as it was unknown until 48 hours before departure whether the Vodacom Bulls would qualify, or be playing home or away (in the event of qualification).
“SA Rugby believes that the flights sourced by SA Rugby for the Vodacom Bulls (at a cost to SA Rugby of R4 108 449.00) represent the very best outcome it was possible to achieve in the circumstances.”
- The R4.1million forked out by SA Rugby equates to circa £175k sterling.
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Nick, I think your article brings up a couple of issues. Do we stick with a lighter 7 ie M.Hooper V2 or a bigger 7. If Schmidt goes with McRight then I would suggest he should also make him captain, from my observations he does most of the captains job, apart from talking to the ref and he was an outstanding captain in U20’s. The big problem for the Wallabies is the tight 5 and McRight would fit perfectly IF we had a competitive and mobile tight 5. The other point is who are the6 & 8? If he goes with Cale at 8 and Valitini at 6 then that is a very mobile backrow but how good will they be at the breakdown. If he keeps BobbyV at 8 and say Leota at 6 then he might be looking for a stronger pack and McRight may not fit in. It is always a tricky call for smaller forwards with great skills.
Go to comments> And to be frank, those are the only four teams that deserve to be in the playoffs. They are the only teams that hold winning records in Super Rugby Pacific 2024. So you agree with the final 8 format then Ben? As of course its purpose is to generate activity towards the end of the season, and as you say, there wouldn’t be any if it was just a final 4 playoff format.
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