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It must be concerning for the ARU and NZRU to see that the Springboks have picked six European based players for their one off Test against Wales in June.
One of the profound strengths of southern hemisphere rugby has been that only players playing in the Super competition will be selected in the national sides. It is designed in a way that the mighty euro and pound will not draw away the best southern hemisphere talent, and weaken the competition here like European football has done to, well, pretty much every non-European competition.
However, in recent years the Springboks seem to have thrown out this policy.
Touring parties being hit by injuries seemed to be the excuse, in that it was easier for players just around the corner to front up and play rather than dragging someone on a plane from South Africa.
However, the Wales Test seems to indicate the SARU has made a decision to select European players even without this excuse.
Francois Steyn, Jean de Villiers, Butch James, Joe van Niekerk, BJ Botha and CJ van der Linde all play in Europe and have been selected.
Concerningly, South Africa have left out some of their best players, including Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies, Fourie du Preez, Morne Steyn, Bryan Habana and centre Jaque Fourie.
The Super 14 final being so soon before the Test on June 4th can’t be the reason, as six of the 22 players are playing for the Bulls or Stormers in the final.
So what has caused this change in policy?
I am not one who regularly reads the South African rugby press, but I can’t recall seeing anything about South Africa changing their policy. Or perhaps it’s only an Australian and New Zealand policy?
The SARU may say that they will pick the best players available whether in South Africa or Europe, but there are two issues with that. Fistly, as indicated above, they haven’t picked the best players available, given those who have missed out. Unless of course there is also a motive for resting players with the Tri Nations in mind.
Secondly, this sends a message to other South African players – you can nick off to Europe for the coin and you might still get picked.
Apart from the European limits on the number of players, about the only thing that has kept the southern hemisphere rugby so strong is the threat that if you play in Europe you won’t get picked for the Test team. Many players have chosen to forego the money, at least for part of their short careers, to earn representative honours.
And until now it appears to have mostly worked.
This move suggests that era is about to end, at least for South Africa. And in a few years the local fans may despair when their best players can no longer be seen playing on their shores (or perhaps even in the beloved Springbok jersey, given England’s habit of pinching uncapped South African players in just about any sport).
It must also be causing concern for Australia and New Zealand. While South Africa seems to churn out an endless supply of players, surely those players now in Europe could help make the Lions and Cheetahs more competitive than they have been, and ensure a more even and attractive Super competition with the extra revenue that follows.
While South Africa has always tended to go its own way, I would be interested to be a fly on the wall at the next SANZAR conference when this apparent breaking of solidarity by South Africa comes up.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.