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Nick Mallett: 'What's the point of the Champions Cup if South African teams can't pick their strongest side?'

The article by Nick Mallett discusses the challenges faced by South African rugby teams in the Champions Cup due to the competition's scheduling which clashes with the United Rugby Championship (URC) and the Test season. Mallett points out that the current format does not allow South African teams to field their strongest sides because of player welfare concerns and the need to manage player fatigue, especially with the Springboks' international commitments. He questions the purpose of participating in the Champions Cup if teams cannot compete at their full potential, suggesting that the competition's structure needs reevaluation to accommodate the global rugby calendar better. Mallett also reflects on the broader implications for the sport, including the potential for reduced competitiveness and fan interest if these issues persist.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-za/sports/other/nick-mallett-what-s-the-point-of-the-champions-cup-if-south-african-teams-can-t-pick-their-strongest-side/ar-AA1w9pAN ]