Toulouse captain Antoine Dupont said South African participation in the Champions Cup would force teams to field second-tier line-ups due to long travel restrictions.
In the second round of games in December, the Sharks and Stormers sent a weakened side to play in England.
Clubs flying thousands of kilometers in the opposite direction have made similar decisions as they prioritize player welfare and other competitions.
“We know it’s very difficult to travel with your first choice team and play every game,” Dupont told reporters before Saturday’s game against the Sharks.
“It definitely calls into question the logic of competition,” added the Olympic rugby sevens gold medalist.
However, Toulouse coach Ugo Mola defended the South African team’s participation in the competition and the second-tier Challenge Cup.
“It’s an opportunity to play games like this and from a sporting perspective we’re lucky,” he said. “You can debate the relevance of other things, but from a sporting perspective it’s better to play against other teams.”
READ: Sharks prepare to neutralize ‘protected’ Dupont
Champions Cup holders Toulouse sent their main squad, along with the French national team, to Durban to face a Sharks side full of World Cup-winning Springboks.
Scrumhalf Dupont, 28, denied the match could be revenge for the 2023 quarter-final loss to South Africa.
“It will definitely bring back memories,” the former world rugby player of the year said. “With that in mind, I have no intention of seeking revenge. Things are different now, but subconsciously some of us will be thinking about it.
“We know they are tremendous when they are at home with their No. 1 team.”
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