The Bulls' executive of rugby, John Mitchell, says he has empathy for the Cheetahs and Kings after their recent axing from Super Rugby.
The aforementioned teams were two of three franchises who lost their Super Rugby status as part of SANZAAR's restructuring of the tournament and Mitchell was in a similar situation when he was the Lions' head coach in 2012.
That year, the Lions were relegated from Super Rugby – after finishing as the worst South African team in the tournament's standings – and were replaced by the Kings in 2013.
Mitchell parted ways with the Lions on acrimonious terms at the end of 2012 but being relegated with the Johannesburg-based outfit makes him feel for the Cheetahs and Kings.
"To be taken out of the most elite provincial competition in the southern hemisphere… you have empathy for both those sides," he told Sport24.
"We experienced a very similar things at the Lions where, rightly or wrongly, things weren't as transparent as they could have been.
"People looking over their shoulders and not knowing about their future is not easy."
Both the Cheetahs and Kings are expected to join the PRO12, however, and Mitchell feels it's a good move for the two francihses especially since World Rugby are keen to look at future global club competitions.
"Sometimes to go backwards to come forwards is not a bad thing," said Mitchell.
"With World Rugby talking about a global competition, I can't really see the northern hemisphere giving up on their structures. It'll be more about the southern hemisphere fitting into the northern hemisphere, and if that does happen then our time zone is very suitable to northern hemisphere.
"Strategically, it's not a bad move by SA Rugby but I do have empathy for the players."
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