Controversial former Stormers skipper Luke Watson has become the latest high-profile player to question the new Super 15 structure.

Watson, speaking on his return to South Africa from English side Bath, was forthright in his opinion that the conference structure favours Australia. He joins Eastern Province on Monday.

Earlier this week, Stormers coach Allister Coetzee and skipper Schalk Burger lamented the fact that South African and New Zealand derbies are more physical than matches involving Australian teams, and there are more injuries.

The current format makes each team play eight derby matches while the structure doesn't allow for every team to play against all the others at least once.

"Most people will agree that the structure is ridiculous," Watson said. "Some teams don't get the opportunity to play against the weaker sides and therefore lose out on five or 10 log points.

"South Africa have the most physical teams, while Australia's teams could easily pick up points against the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force. I think they should re-visit the structure of Super rugby. There is maybe too much rugby and it's played at pace with high impact.

"You can see in the attendance figures that too much rugby is being played. It has also lost prestige because you play teams [from your country] more than once and there is no longer that feeling of 'I'm going to get you' [between local sides]."

After losing to the Chiefs last week, Stormers captain Burger said: "The local derbies in South African matches are really hectic from a physical perspective and when you win the first one, the return match is like a revenge game.

"South African players seem to have 'fast bowler' syndrome and as a result this competition isn't getting any easier."

Earlier this season, Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis also questioned the format of the competition.