Roux: Super Rugby axe needs to be swift

Despite initial indications that the decision will only be made and ratified by the SARU General Council by June following a consultation process, Roux feels it is unfair to stall the process.

 He did, however, emphasize that the final decision lies solely with the General Council of the country's rugby governing body.

 "Based on what the stakeholders were saying to us, the message was very clear -- the competition is confusing. It lacks integrity with not everyone playing each other and it is not a compelling product," explained Roux.

 "The ultimate competition was definitely Super 12 and to be honest, we should never have moved from it. Sadly some of the decisions to expand were revenue-driven, others political, but it has ended up being a competition that if we don't change it, we could have some serious issues."

 While admitting that it is difficult to steer too far clear of political issues, Roux said the emotion will prove to be the toughest to manage.

 "We are now at a time where the economic rugby reality of this country says we just simply cannot sustain six franchises. Say what you want, look at the results, we can't," he added.

 'It's simply making sure that from a financial reality point of view, we are all aligned.

 "The bottom line is that the process needs to be concluded swiftly by removing all political and emotional strings and not jumping through too many hoops, so that we are not accused of stalling," he concluded.