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Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White says SA Rugby is in a difficult position to decide whether to send the Springboks to the Rugby Championship this year.
SA Rugby confirmed on Saturday that the Springboks’ ability to participate in the Rugby Championship will be finalized early next week. SA Rugby’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, had previously told the media a fortnight ago that he expected a final decision to be made by 10 October at the latest.
The Springboks are set to defend their title in Australia between November 7 and December 12, but several hurdles must first be overcome for the team to participate.
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The South African government lifted the ban on international sports participation a week ago and instructions for managing such participation were published on Wednesday night.
However, this remains a concern for the well-being and management of the players, as South Africa has just returned to competitive action again.
The New Zealanders and Australians, meanwhile, completed their own domestic Super Rugby tournaments and met in their first round of the Bledisloe Cup on Sunday.
Speaking after the Bulls’ initial win over Griquas, former Bok coach White sympathized with the difficult decision facing Erasmus and co.
“From a rugby perspective, as a former coach, I think it’s great that guys want to play test matches,” White said.
“I fully understand that it is not the ideal preparation and probably if I were a coach I would ask SA Rugby to try to find ways in which we do not participate because the situation is a bit unfair.”
Due to current Covid-19 regulations in Australia, Erasmus and Springbok’s coach Jacques Nienaber plan to bring an extended team to Australia, to avoid replacement players having to be quarantined if there is any injury.
However, that would mean relying on foreign players more fit for the match. As White pointed out, getting players released is a logistical challenge in itself.
‘There are guys from the club who will have to get out of their commitments in that sense, [which is difficult when you are expecting] a decision that will be made this week, “White said. ‘Along with that are the local players who have only played two competitive games and now have to go to the Rugby Championship. It is not ideal.
I also fully understand that there are other things that come into play. We are the current holders of the title and there is the question of the television rights that are placed. If you are sitting in the boardroom and doing the sums, you have one perception of what should happen and if you are a coach you have another.
‘It is a difficult decision to make. I am sure that whatever it takes will be.
Photo: Marty Melville / AFP Photo
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