Lucky Vince Pienaar
The announcement of the Springbok team heading to Argentina contains few surprises.
Rassie Erasmus often says he wants 50 players who can all compete at the 2027 World Cup. He is well on his way to achieving that, which is why there are always unexpected names on the list – but no nasty surprises.
One of the main factors giving the Springboks a massive advantage is where the players play their rugby when they are not with the Boks.
Eight of the 28 players going to Argentina play their club rugby in other countries, and that’s not counting Siya Kolisi, who is back playing for the Sharks.
The South African Rugby Union’s decision to allow South Africans to play wherever is best for them (including financially) was taken when Jacques Nienaber was still part of the coaching setup.
It was his task to manage and coordinate players from all over the world. He often spoke about the challenge of getting the best out of those players, but never about whether they should be eligible for selection.
The deal was done well before the 2019 World Cup.
Almost all other rugby unions worldwide are still debating what to do. It is ridiculous that they’re twisting and turning to devise a plan and never getting any further.
It is not too far-fetched to say that the All Blacks’ two losses to the Springboks can be traced back to New Zealand Rugby, which forces players (some of them the best in the world) to decide between the All Blacks and making a living.
NZR boss Mark Robinson, as recently as early September, made it clear again that they will not change their policy. Is he happy that Richie Mo’Unga is playing in Japan? Is Richie happy playing for Toshiba Brave Lupus?
Poor New Zealand coach Scott Robertson has said: “We believe the current eligibility rules we have work for us and are really important to our success.” Yeah, right, Razor. Good on you, mate!
There are 460 professional New Zealand rugby players playing overseas – more than the number of professional players in the country.
Check the players below and their club teams – and thank the rugby gods that South Africa has a management team with common sense.
Forwards: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Ox Nche (Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls).
Backs: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Sharks), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls).
Pictured above: The Springboks.
Source: Springboks/X
