Jake White’s call for SA’s overseas-based players to be lured back to the country, has been ruled out by SA Rugby’s CEO.
Following the drubbing in last week’s Vodacom URC final at the hands of Leinster, White said the Bulls needed more experienced players to compete with the number of internationals Leinster have.
This despite the Bulls boss fielding 12 Springboks in the final.
SA Rugby CEO, Rian Oberholzer, says White’s call is not feasible because having Springboks playing overseas actually reduces the wage bill of the franchises, and is good for the players who can take advantage of the weaker currency.
”One of our strengths is that we, as South Africa, allow our players who are internationals to play overseas. You need to look at the salary saving that we have with our players who are playing in Japan, France and England”, Oberholzer told News24.
”We still have the total talent pool available to us, and we will not change that because it’s a huge strength of ours that we can pick players who don’t play here.”
READ: Hooper: URC ‘not the best thing ever’ for SA
Springbok enforcer, Eben Etzebeth, echoed Oberholzer’s sentiments when quizzed on White’s comments.
”It would be unbelievable if everyone could come back. Our rugby would be unbelievably strong, but unfortunately that’s not how life works.
:A guy’s career is only so long, so financially you’ve got to make the best choices for the short time that you’re playing rugby.”
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
