Former Springbok lock Alistair Hargreaves believes the departure of more South African teams from Super Rugby to Europe is forthcoming - describing the competition as a 'joke'
South Africa will have four teams competing in 2018 after the Cheetahs an Southern Kings were scrapped and have since joined Europe's PRO14 which features teams from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Italy.
Australian franchise, the Western Force, have also been cut, reducing the number of teams competing from 18 to 15.
Force backer Andrew Forrest is still fighting to keep the Western Australian club in Super Rugby, but has indicated plans to set up a six-team rugby competition in the Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking to South African website Sport24, Hargreaves said Super Rugby used to be the best competition in the world, but it has gone downhill over the last few years.
"For many years, Super Rugby was known both far and wide as the best tournament on earth, but the format is now a joke in itself," said Hargreaves.
"The reality is that the Super Rugby executives got greedy and always wanted more without thinking about what was best for the players and the game as whole.
"The men in suits are starting to realise their mistakes - by reducing the number of Super Rugby teams from 2018 - but what has happened to the Western Force is an absolute tragedy.
"Their players were sold a dream and then suddenly the wheels fell off. I believe the current state Super Rugby finds itself in comes down to very poor leadership from the top.
Hargreaves added, "When the SANZAAR TV deal expires in 2020, I would be very surprised if a few of the bigger unions in South Africa don’t put their hands up to have a dip in the northern hemisphere.
"The reality is there are too many local derbies in Super Rugby and the competition has become watered down."
Despite the Cheetahs and Kings struggling in the opening two rounds of the PRO14, the 31-year-old is confident this is way of the future for South African teams.
"The new-look PRO14 competition is a fantastic concept and one that we are all watching very closely to see if that is going to be the future route for other South African teams.
"Edward Griffiths started championing the cause for South Africa to play North-South instead of East-West rugby when he was still Saracens CEO, and I think he’s absolutely correct.
"The game has grown in the north and the quality of rugby is outstanding. It’s exciting that the Cheetahs and Kings have joined the PRO14 competition.
"As we have already seen from the first two fixtures, it will be a very challenging introduction for the South African teams, but it’s a fresh initiative and signals the start of a new adventure for rugby in South Africa."
Hargreaves, who played four Tests for the Springboks between 2010 and 2011, recently retired from rugby due to concussion.
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