Why would the Stormers or Argentina give two hoots about Perth and play a game at Lunchtime in Cape Town and Breakfast time in Buenos Aries?
And I'm saying that as someone in Perth.
it is an arbitrary example. it could be bulls v sharks. the point is that with the force in the SA conference, one game a week could be timed to be televised in or near prime time in perth. with force in this conference, suddenly it has more meaning and draws more interest. instead of a midnight (perth time) game drawing 30k in aus, it's prime time in perth and watchable on the east coast - viewership is up for these SA based games.
i don't understand how it affects player development at all. the force are still in australia, still recruit from WA and the rest of australia and elsewhere and still have their games televised throughout australia and still play against the top teams in SA, Arg, and NZ/AUS. they are still playing super rugby, they just play more games against south african opposition than Australian opposition.
for instance, it could be in the agreement that all force games in SA are played no later than 2pm kick off so they can be televised in Aus.
if SA based games, or more of them, are scheduled for prime time in perth and a watchable time in sydney etc, then Fox sports is getting better viewership which means they are able to pay more.
i think the answer is two of paytens points - force in SA conference and more SA day games.