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It won’t be surprising to see that the Boks have few options, but to opt out of the Rugby Championship, he writes. CRAIG LEWIS.
Will they leave or not? It’s a question that has lingered around the Springboks’ possible defense of their Rugby Championship title for weeks and weeks.
Finally, a response is expected in the next day or two, but it has been a waiting game where taking care of the player’s well-being should be the ultimate winner.
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Test rugby resumed last Sunday after a Covid-imposed hiatus of more than six months, with Australia and New Zealand springing into action with a set of players clearly ready for battle after both countries were able to complete their own competitions. nationals in recent months.
By contrast, when South Africa’s Sanzaar ‘partners’ got caught up in a Bledisloe Cup battle, local competition Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked had just completed a round of action with some understandably rusty performances.
At the end of the day, it would be a massive, and surely unfair, request from nationally considered players to now head to Australia and begin a fifteen-day quarantine that should begin within the next week to be ready to prepare for the Test scheduled for November 7 against Argentina.
The Springboks would have to bring an extended squad to Australia to ensure there is sufficient injury coverage at all positions, which in itself could suddenly and seriously dilute the quality of competition unlocked.
Then there’s the logistics of gathering the foreign players at the camp, and English clubs in particular have been said to be delaying the release of the players.
There are also lingering questions around quarantine protocols and whether all Springboks could take refuge in the same hotel, while there are questions about whether they could train together during quarantine.
In terms of playing time, there are a lot of Springboks that are nowhere near the 400+ minutes of playtime that medical experts suggest is the ideal brand for injury mitigation.
Recently, Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White highlighted how people like Duane Vermeulen and Nizaam Carr had suffered bothersome injuries at the Springbok Showdown, which were part of the course when players started making contact again.
ALSO READ: ‘Not ideal preparation for rugby champions’
It is also already well documented how the Springboks will be left without top World Cup champions like Handre Pollard, RG Snyman and Lood de Jager, who have suffered serious injuries after returning to action overseas.
Beyond the dynamics of physical well-being to consider, there is of course the factor of mental well-being for players who would need to leave their families for two months, while also spending the first fortnight in harsh quarantine before having to isolate themselves again upon return. . House.
Not to mention the fact that the Springboks have suddenly grouped themselves with the rescheduled final match of the Rugby Championship against Argentina on December 12.
Is it too much to ask.
READ: Boks-Pumas to conclude the Rugby Championships
The other side of the coin (if you’ll excuse the pun) is, of course, the financial consequences of not participating in the Rugby Championship, which would render stakeholders unable to ultimately reap all the rewards of seeing the champions of the game. world return to action for the first time since his triumph in Japan.
Particularly in these challenging business times, this has understandably been a considerable factor driving plans for the Springboks to go ahead and get involved.
However, there is talk that due to a new Covid-19 related collective bargaining agreement, SA Rugby would still earn a Rugby Championship broadcast revenue share fee even if the Springboks are unable to play.
One last point would revolve around concerns that the Boks are heading into the 2021 British & Irish Lions series without any test rugby under their belt, but one would hope that SA Rugby will find the means to welcome a touring team. in the first half of next year.
United States head coach Gary Gold has said he already addressed the possibility of playing a couple of games against the Boks before the Lions’ tour.
All in all, surely the well-being and sanity of the player should prevail.
Photo: Steve Haag / Gallo / Getty Images
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