Ox: SA must adapt or die

THE South African rugby teams' sukkels in Europe were again laid bare over the weekend, with the country's franchises enduring a bruising round in the Champions and Challenge Cups.

- BY JOHN GOLIATH

HOPEFUL: Sharks and Springbok prop Ox Nche

The Sharks were among the teams left frustrated as the SA teams struggled to match their European counterparts, a pattern that has sparked debate around player fatigue, squad depth and the relentless demands of the modern rugby calendar.

With local sides now balancing the United Rugby Championship alongside two gruelling European competitions, teams have preferred to target home matches with their first-choice players, while sending second-string teams abroad.