SA Rugby hit back at Bulls: Flights cost R4-million!

SA Rugby hit back at Bulls: Flights cost R4-million!

This past weekend the Bulls secured an emphatic win over French club Lyon to advance to an away quarter-final of the Champions Cup for the first time, outscoring the visitors nine tries to three.

The Bulls have now travelled to Northhampton Saints in England for their top-eight fixture in the prestigious tournament, but before departure, coach Jake White slammed SA Rugby bosses over what he said was a lack of clarity and planning when it came to travel arrangements.

However, SA Rugby have not taken this lying down, responding with a statement highlighting how over R4-million had been spent in an attempt to get the Bulls overseas in the best way possible.

SA Rugby have clapped back at the Bulls

“SA Rugby provided 38 flights for the Bulls’ Champions Cup quarter-final squad – 33 in business class and five in economy class. The playing squad will arrive in London before 08h00 local time on Wednesday having travelled overnight in business class on two airlines: British Airways (24 players and management) and Lufthansa (4 players and management),” a statement from SA Rugby read.

“The coach and CEO also flew directly to London overnight on Virgin in business class. The balance of eight of the tour squad (four management and four players) travelled via Zurich, Doha, and Dubai.

“Media will appreciate that the high demand for business class seats in and out of South Africa, allied to the reduced number of flights into the country and the late confirmation of the required seats (Sunday evening) made it well-known to all parties that securing business class seats on a single flight would be impossible.

“Pre-booking seats was discounted as an option in view of the potential risk of loss of 100% of the flight cost for a group booking, should it not be required as it was unknown until 48 hours before departure whether the Vodacom Bulls would qualify, or be playing home or away (in the event of qualification).

“SA Rugby believes that the flights sourced by SA Rugby for the Vodacom Bulls (at a cost to SA Rugby of R4 108 449.00) represent the very best outcome it was possible to achieve in the circumstances.”

What was the feeling from Jake White?

Earlier this week, the Bulls coach had doubled down on his post-match comments, and again fireed shots at SA Rugby over the problematic travel logistics.

“There aren’t a lot of teams that leave on eight different airlines on a Tuesday evening to play a Saturday night game,” he was quoted as saying. “For whatever reason, I’m sure the powers that be will sort it out. It isn’t what was expected. We were sold that it’s an overnight flight to Europe to go play there in the beginning.

“Instead, it recently took 28 hours and 27 hours to and back from Leinster and whether we like it or not, it comes at a cost. Our [Bulls] board have paid for business-class flights for our starting teams previously, and it’s a massive privilege and fantastic gesture on their behalf.”

“But no sporting team today as I speak flies out with eight different aeroplanes, some to Birmingham, some to London. Some land at nine. Some land at two,” he added.

“You’re talking about a competition where you want to be the best in the world. It doesn’t add up. I’m not going to stop saying that. If we want to be the best, you have to get it right. I’m not going to stop saying that.

“In an ideal world I would love to have left on Wednesday night and landed on Thursday. That would’ve meant we pre-prepped here Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.”