Sunwolves coach Tony Brown says the decision to drop the franchise from Vodacom Super Rugby was influenced by South Africa seeking revenge for losing the 2023 World Cup hosting rights.

Japan voted for France, instead of South Africa, to host the 10th edition of the global tournament.

‘Nothing’s easy for the Sunwolves and obviously the devastating news that we were going to be out of the competition in 2021 is very disappointing,’ Brown told Fox Sports when asked about Sanzaar’s decision to axe the franchise after the 2020 season, with Super Rugby returning to a 14-team league format.

‘It wasn’t a big surprise, we were probably just hoping there was a slim chance we could survive and build something sustainable for years to come.

‘There were so many things that went on and the South Africans were just dead against having the Sunwolves involved.

‘There’s a bit of resentment from what happened at the World Cup vote a few years ago, and it’s a relationship that’s been pretty rough ever since the Sunwolves joined Super Rugby.

‘So many things were against the Sunwolves, and it wasn’t really surprising that Sanzaar has decided not to have them involved.’