Ex-Bok captain Bob Skinstad on URC impact: 'It's manna from heaven for SA fans and future'

While some Europeans might begrudge South Africa's involvement in northern hemisphere competitions, former Springbok captain Bob Skinstad believes it's "manna from heaven" for the country but could see the United Rugby Championship (URC) being the best place to play rugby.

During a URC media roundtable, Skinstad responded to a question regarding former Wales and British & Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton's comments that the URC "doesn't make sense".

"There's no doubting their ability. Fantastic rugby nation. League just doesn't make sense and looks a random mix and match of clubs," Warburton, who previously criticised the PRO14 for involving South African teams, tweeted this week.

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So @samwarburton_ you asked what value the SA teams add to @URCOfficial @URCOfficial_RSA after 1st month … but you have gone AWOL since. Perhaps @simonrug you can get an answer from Sam

Skinstad, however, saw the URC as possibly setting the standard for blended competitions, predicting that it "will be the best place to play rugby".

"It's manna from heaven for the South African rugby fans and the future of South African rugby," said Skinstad.

"South African rugby went from being incredibly competitive in the Super 8, 10, 12 and 14. As it became a not-so-super multitude of teams, it became long, difficult tours across to games that weren't even played in watchable time zones.

"South African rugby never benefitted nearly as much as the Australian and New Zealand teams for staying in and around their time zones for longer.

"This tournament allows the historically best teams in South Africa to play the historically best teams in places like Wales, Scotland, Ireland