{"id":193663,"date":"2025-10-11T21:57:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T21:57:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/193663\/"},"modified":"2025-10-11T21:57:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T21:57:15","slug":"south-africa-rugby-stars-snub-breakaway-rebel-league-as-they-eye-third-straight-world-cup-trophy-instead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/193663\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa rugby stars SNUB breakaway rebel league – as they eye third straight World Cup trophy instead"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ALEX BYWATER, RUGBY WRITER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 11:56 EDT, 11 October 2025 | Updated: 11:56 EDT, 11 October 2025 <\/p>\n

South Africa\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Rassie Erasmus<\/a>\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

Doing so is a big attraction to South Africa\u2019s best players which is why their leading lights are understood to be reluctant to commit to rugby\u2019s rebel league at this stage.<\/p>\n

The same applies for the more junior Springboks like breakthrough sensation Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.<\/p>\n

Last week, South Africa joined England\u2019s RFU and rugby\u2019s other leading unions in confirming players who sign for R360 \u2013 which is slated to begin in 2026 \u2013 will be banned from representing their countries. That\u2019s despite South Africa\u2019s current selection ruling stating that you can represent the Springboks wherever a player plays their club rugby.<\/p>\n

Should players such as iconic captain Siya Kolisi move to R360, they would no longer be able to represent their country.<\/p>\n

\"South <\/p>\n

South Africa stars are not thought to be interested in joining breakaway league R360 and will instead focus on the 2027 World Cup<\/p>\n

\"Securing <\/p>\n

Securing superstars like Springboks captain Siya Kolisi would have been a goal for the rebels<\/p>\n

Given the world-class ability and superstar status of players such as Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe, among others, South Africa\u2019s key men would have been on R360\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

But there is a strong feeling in rugby that the position of the leading unions is a significant blow to the league\u2019s chances of attracting the game\u2019s top stars which has been their stated desire.<\/p>\n

England stars Fin Smith and George Ford have signed new deals with their PREM Rugby clubs<\/a> instead of joining R360.<\/p>\n

South Africa\u2019s position is similar to England\u2019s in that they do not want to weaken their domestic sides \u2013 who play in the United Rugby Championship \u2013 by allowing players to leave for R360. And their country\u2019s rugby board is made up of presidents from teams such as the Stormers and Sharks, so there is full agreement on that view.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Vincent Tshituka and Ben Jason Dixon are others, but those three players are exceptions to the general rule.<\/p>\n

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