In a surprising twist that could rattle the foundations of Major League Rugby, Pote Human has expressed his concerns over the league's viability after the folding of three teams, including his own Houston SaberCats. The abrupt closure came just as Human was preparing for another season in the US, leaving him to reroute his coaching career back to South Africa.
Human, the tactical mind behind the SaberCats' impressive run to the 2024 MLR final, was blindsided by the news. "It was a big shock when I found out the SaberCats were closing," he revealed in a candid chat. The team had just come off a narrow 28-22 loss in the finals against the New England Free Jacks, a testament to their competitive spirit and potential. Despite this, they became the third casualty of the league's off-season, joining the likes of Nola Gold and Miami Sharks in the great rugby fold-up.
"I called each of them personally to let them know, wished them well and said if there was anything I could do to help them find another club, I’d be happy to help."
This upheaval has not only left players scrambling for new homes but also cast a long shadow over the league's structure, now reduced to a mere seven teams. The shakeup included the amalgamation of San Diego Legion and RFC Los Angeles into what is now known as the California Legion. The reduction has affected around 20 South African players, including notable names like Johan Momsen, Marno Redelinghuys, Justin Basson, and André Warner.
Human, a seasoned coach who has seen his fair share of rugby dramas, is now set to return full-time to Boland, where he will work alongside Hawies Fourie. Before his unexpected return, he served as a consultant helping Boland reach the Currie Cup semi-finals. Despite his commitment to Boland, the sting of the SaberCats' closure lingers, compounded by the financial strains cited by the team's owners, who reportedly hemorrhaged about $5 million annually to keep the club afloat. "I don’t blame ours," Human concluded, understanding yet disillusioned with the economic realities facing rugby stateside.
The remaining teams in the league are the California Legion, Austin Gilgronis, Seattle Seawolves, Toronto Arrows, Utah Warriors, Rugby ATL, and Old Glory DC, each battling in a slimmed-down competition that begs the question of sustainability and future growth.
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In a surprising twist that could rattle the foundations of Major League Rugby, Pote Human has expressed his concerns over the league's viability after the folding of three teams, including his own Houston SaberCats. The abrupt closure came just as Human was preparing for another season in the US, leaving him to reroute his coaching career back to South Africa.
Human, the tactical mind behind the SaberCats' impressive run to the 2024 MLR final, was blindsided by the news. "It was a big shock when I found out the SaberCats were closing," he revealed in a candid chat. The team had just come off a narrow 28-22 loss in the finals against the New England Free Jacks, a testament to their competitive spirit and potential. Despite this, they became the third casualty of the league's off-season, joining the likes of Nola Gold and Miami Sharks in the great rugby fold-up.
"I called each of them personally to let them know, wished them well and said if there was anything I could do to help them find another club, I’d be happy to help."
This upheaval has not only left players scrambling for new homes but also cast a long shadow over the league's structure, now reduced to a mere seven teams. The shakeup included the amalgamation of San Diego Legion and RFC Los Angeles into what is now known as the California Legion. The reduction has affected around 20 South African players, including notable names like Johan Momsen, Marno Redelinghuys, Justin Basson, and André Warner.
Human, a seasoned coach who has seen his fair share of rugby dramas, is now set to return full-time to Boland, where he will work alongside Hawies Fourie. Before his unexpected return, he served as a consultant helping Boland reach the Currie Cup semi-finals. Despite his commitment to Boland, the sting of the SaberCats' closure lingers, compounded by the financial strains cited by the team's owners, who reportedly hemorrhaged about $5 million annually to keep the club afloat. "I don’t blame ours," Human concluded, understanding yet disillusioned with the economic realities facing rugby stateside.
The remaining teams in the league are the California Legion, Austin Gilgronis, Seattle Seawolves, Toronto Arrows, Utah Warriors, Rugby ATL, and Old Glory DC, each battling in a slimmed-down competition that begs the question of sustainability and future growth.