South African Football Federation (Saf) secretary general David Lekwane has confirmed the football teams will be under review in 2019 after the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the International Rugby Board (IRB) were unable to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement.
The RFU and IRB are not expected to meet until next week but Lekwdane said he is confident the new season will not be interrupted.
“The discussions are still ongoing and we will be meeting with them next week,” Lekwidane said in a statement.
Rugby league players will be able to strike a new deal with the RFUs on January 1 2019 but the governing body has said it would be inappropriate for players to walk away from their clubs for the duration of a World Cup. “
As the negotiations progress, we will give a report on our progress to the RFU at the end the year and we hope to have a new agreement signed by the time we leave the World Cup in 2019.”
Rugby league players will be able to strike a new deal with the RFUs on January 1 2019 but the governing body has said it would be inappropriate for players to walk away from their clubs for the duration of a World Cup.
The South African national rugby league team will not face any disciplinary action from the RFAs and are unlikely to be fined for failing to follow the rules.
“Our players are not looking to walk out of the game,” Rugby League South Africa boss Jurgen Krom said.
“They have every right to do that.”
South Africa have won only two of their 12 World Cup matches.
Rugby league is the sport of the future, said Rugby League International Federation (RFIF) secretary David Lettre.
“Rugby League is the future.
There is no question in my mind that the game is coming to the shores of Australia,” Lettres statement said.
Rugby League has been in crisis mode in recent months as it is plagued by the lack of revenue from its television rights.
The sport is now facing an uncertain future.
The governing body of the sport, Rugby League Australia (RLA), has promised a significant boost to its revenue and is expected to be able pay players more.
It also has promised to invest more in training facilities and infrastructure.
