SA Rugby to start charging unions hefty hosting fees for Springbok Tests

According to a Sunday newspaper Rapport, SA Rugby is looking to recover R85 million with the Bulls and Sharks expected to offer around R15 million whilst the Test in Cape Town and Johannesburg will cost the respective unions R20 million each.

R15 million will be made from the remaining two Tests with the Pumas paying R10 million for the Argentina clash and the Cheetahs R5 million for the historic Test against Portugal.

The massive costs have thrown the viability of hosting Springbok Tests into question with some administrators not convinced it produces financial results.

"Due to the high hosting fees, you actually can't host any Test profitably unless you have a good relationship with the local municipality," one administrator was quoted as saying. "Since the Test represents an economic boost for your city and region, one hopes your municipality will contribute financially to the guarantee amount that must be paid so that unions can make money from hosting tests.

"Unfortunately, not all franchises have those relationships with their municipalities. One hopes franchises will be informed earlier about the guarantee amounts for the respective Tests going forward."

SA Rugby maintains that guarantee fees are part of its Test match budget model.

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