Where there is smoke, there is usually fire, and there increasingly seems to be more signs that a new R360 global rugby ‘rebel’ league is gaining traction – and even tempting Springbok stars.
The 12-franchise tournament – fuelled by England World Cup winner Mike Tindall, former Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper and the lawyer behind IPL cricket and LIV Golf – is in the pipelines, and could dramatically shake up the rugby calendar from 2026.
According to Telegraph Sport, R360 has already secured around 160 men on legally binding pre-contracts, and four high-profile Springboks are reported to have already committed.
Now, while it’s unlikely that Springbok players in their prime would be lured to such a breakaway league, there is every chance that some veterans could be tempted by a significant payday as they perhaps heads towards a retirement age.
When considering the success of T20 cricket leagues around the world, as well as how disruptive LIV Golf has been, the possibility of a rugby ‘rebel league’ should not be discounted.
Think of a player like 33-year-old Faf de Klerk, who has begun to fall by the Springbok wayside, or even Willie le Roux (who turns 36 years old this month), and is probably in his final season with the national side.
Would Springboks and other players in this ‘quality bracket’ be tempted by the rebel league?
Backed by private investors, some of whom are reportedly from Saudi Arabia, the league – set to launch in September 2026 – aims to challenge the current professional rugby landscape by offering significantly higher salaries to attract the world’s top players.
The R360 league is still in the developmental phase, but it has generated significant discussion and concern within the rugby world, with many seeing it as a serious challenge to the sport’s established structures.
R360 is said to be targeting the top 300 male and female players in the world, with reports of signing bonuses and salaries exceeding £1 million (R23.8m) per season for elite players.
The league has reportedly secured “legally binding pre-contracts” with around 160 men’s players, including a number of high-profile international stars and some players from rival codes like rugby league.
The league is also apparently well-capitalised for its initial years, with funding from sources in the US, UK, and Saudi Arabia.
What are your thoughts on such a prospect?
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