'I don't think it's healthy': Warning as 44th South African set to join Premiership
Former Springbok assistant coach Alan Solomons believes the arrival of yet more South African players in the Gallagher Premiership should sound warning bells for the health of the reigning world champion’s domestic rugby product.
When 6ft 10ins Cheetahs lock JP du Preez arrives at Sale Sharks he will be the Manchester club’s eleventh South African player and the 44th from that country currently on the books of Premiership clubs.
So vast is the number of South African players currently in Europe that the Springboks management are now relying heavily on Dublin-based Felix Jones, one of the Boks assistant coaches, to keep in touch with squad players who will be vying for inclusion in the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions next year.
Solomons, the veteran Worcester Warriors director of rugby, has seven South African players in his own squad – the second highest contingent in the Premiership. That is headed by Francois Hougaard and Francois Venter, while No8 Cornell du Preez is now a Scotland player having been born in Port Elizabeth.
Leicester and Harlequins have six South Africans each, with Newcastle having four following their recent promotion to the top flight.
"We have had four family deaths over the last six weeks for various reasons and none of them thankfully Covid. It puts in perspective kicking a ball around"
– It's been a trying few weeks off the field for Sale #GallagherPrem
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 25, 2020
The dramatic impact of South African players on Leicester’s squad was seen in last weekend’s opening round 38-15 victory over Gloucester, with No8 Jasper Wiese putting in a man of the match performance alongside Cyle Brink, Jaco Taute, Kobus van Wyk and Hanro Liebenberg.
Solomons said: “I don’t think it is healthy for a country to be losing that number of players. When players do leave it certainly does affect your domestic competition and South Africa is a breeding ground for good rugby players, but what is important is to have a blend between youth and experience.
“That helps the development of young talent along with playing in strong competitions. Domestically, when there is such an outflow of players, then it affects the game.”
Solomons added there were some plusses as well for South African rugby, as highlighted by the return to Springboks colours of Faf de Klerk whose game markedly improved from operating in the English Premiership.
The Worcester boss was also adamant that importing South African players didn’t mean stifling local talent if a club’s academy system is operating properly – Worcester have produced current England players Ted Hill and Ollie Lawrence.
Sale, meanwhile, counter the claims that they are merely an overseas version of a South African Super Rugby franchise by highlighting the number of home-grown players in the first-team squad, talent that includes Tom and Ben Curry, Luke and Sam James while there are a number of English-qualified players pushing for recognition from their current academy crop.
Solomons added: “It is about getting the balance right and for us it is about having a core Worcester identity and the core come from our academy, which is fantastic. You also have that blend with players from outside, be it South Africa or New Zealand, because that diversity enriches the mix and makes you stronger. We have a good balance with players coming from outside.
“From a (South African) international perspective those players (outside the country) are playing at a high level, like Faf de Klerk and the three du Preez brothers at Sale. With that good level of competition, we have seen how they were able to adjust and we saw that step up at the World Cup in Japan.”
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This is brewing up nicely #AutumnNationsCup #WALvENGhttps://t.co/R81BTgh7pB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 25, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
I reckon it may be Jordan at 10 and Nohamba at 9, both players have played together alot and both have been on the Radar for a long time. After Pollard got injured in 2022 with Elton sidelined on a path of self destruction Erasmus and Nienaber indicated that the other options in the country at the time were thin but that Jordan and Manie were the 2 they were looking at. In the end Frans steyn played flyhalf, Willemse slotted in there on the end of year with Libbok as back up. Jordan was right there in the thinking back then so expect him to take the Jersey either as the starter.
1 Go to commentsHaha did he also* say it in a sarcastic teacher sort of manor or was it the petulant English snob sort of wail?
44 Go to commentsWell said Mils. It is a big boost at last having Fergus Burke back at 10 for the Crusaders. Had a great season last year as the article says. Mils is also right about captain Codie Taylor’s performance in his return to the Crusaders last week. He was all class.
4 Go to commentsLet’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
123 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
4 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
6 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
123 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
44 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
6 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
123 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
44 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to comments