South Africa's United Rugby Championship (URC) franchises will be allowed to spend more money on players next season.

According to  https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/sport/rugby/rugbyfranchises-mag-meer-aan-spelers-bestee-20211219" rel="nofollow - Rapport , the salary caps for all domestic teams have been increased, with the four URC teams - the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers - receiving the biggest boost.

The depth of the international franchises will be heavily tested next year due to the URC and Currie Cup overlapping.

Greater spending power may therefore enhance their ability to build stronger squads by holding onto players who would otherwise have headed abroad.

According to the report in the Afrikaans weekly, the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers will be allowed to spend R65.5 million on senior rugby players in 2022. This is more than the R61.0 allowed in 2021 and the figure is set to jump up to R67.2 million in 2023.

In addition, 50 players will be allowed to be contracted to each of the international franchises and be paid a minimum salary of R36 155 per month. On top of this, each of the franchises will be allowed to spend R8 million on development players.

Meanwhile, the domestic franchises - the Cheetahs, Pumas and Griquas - will see their salary caps increased by R1 million to R17 million (R18 million in 2023) and are they'll be able to contract up to 45 players.

The non-franchises may have 40 contracted players next year and spend R7 million each on senior players, with the figure increasing to R7.8 million in 2023.