An SARugbymag.co.za poll has confirmed that fans want to see their teams cut loose from the current salary cap restricting the country’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship franchises.

Three years ago, SA Rugby confirmed the implementation of a new professional contracting model which included a salary cap of R60 million at eight major unions with a maximum of 45 contracted players allowed.

In 2021, it was increased to R65.5m. However, the cap has caused much debate in the rugby fraternity, with many believing the imposed restrictions are counter-productive for teams whose budgets exceed the cap, such as the Vodacom Bulls who are 74% owned by Johann Rupert and Patrice Motsepe.

A poll run by SARugbymag.co.zaconfirmed that fans want SA Rugby to scrap the cap.

Over 90% of readers voted in favour of ending the salary cap, while only just over 9% voted to keep it in place.

“Money is one thing rugby in this country could use in far more abundance and, at a time when unions are finally taking their first steps into privatisation, the salary cap has effectively handcuffed the very benefactors on whose shoulders the sustainability of the game in SA rests,” Zelím Nel wrote in his column.

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