05-09-2005, 09:31 AM
By Jacques van der Westhuyzen
Springbok coach Jake White's wish to have 10 key players sit out the Currie Cup has come true - for how long, though, remains to be seen.
To ensure the core of his Bok squad are fresh for the end of year tour and next year's expanded Super 14 and international season, White earlier this week requested some of his players be exempt from playing in the Currie Cup.
This request was met with mixed feelings by the unions affected - the Blue Bulls, Cheetahs, Western Province and the Sharks. None of the Lions' players - Lawrence Sephaka, Ricky Januarie, André Pretorius and Jaque Fourie - was included in the list.
'The request is unacceptable and unreasonable'
The 10 players are Percy Montgomery, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Joe van Niekerk, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, John Smit and Os du Randt.
The provincial unions, in spite of having plenty to say this week, have allowed all 10 players to sit this weekend out. Whether it is because of White's request or the fact the individual unions themselves feel the players need a break after a gruelling Tri-Nations campaign and long flight back to South Africa, is unknown.
But whether the provinces will be so accommodating next weekend and in the lead up to the semifinals is doubtful. All the unions are paying good money for the players and have a Currie Cup they want to win. And then there are the sponsors, like Absa, and fans who obviously want the top men to be seen in the province's colours.
To complicate matters White and the South African Rugby Union (Saru) have threatened the 10 players with omission from the Bok squad for the end of year tour should they play in the Currie Cup. This move has especially infuriated the provinces. The majority of the players, too, want to at least play some role in their teams' Currie Cup challenge.
Free State Rugby Union president Harold Verster, in spite of getting the green light to use two of his Boks - Michael Claassens and Juan Smith - will not be allowed to call on his first-choice props, Van der Linde and Du Randt.
"I think the request is unacceptable and unreasonable," said Verster. "CJ has played only 12 matches this year, he's still young and wants to play. In the case of Os, I fully understand. He's getting on in years, but I also think we could use him in a few games ... he also needs to stay active and involved."
The Lions, while not affected by White's request, say they will in any case not play their Boks in all the games. "We've got a squad system going here and all the players will be rested at some stage during the season," said Chief Executive Officer Andy Turner. "We've done well up to now without our Boks, so we'll use the guys sparingly."
Coach Frans Ludeke commented: "The Boks in our team are special players, game-breakers, and they can make a difference, but right now they need a break." None has been included in the Lions team for this weekend's clash with Western Province, who've included Eddie Andrews and De Wet Barry and have Hanyani Shimange on the bench.
The Bulls have Pedrie Wannenburg in their line-up, while Gary Botha, Danie Rossouw and Fourie du Preez are on the bench. The Sharks are resting Smit and Montgomery, but have included Albert van den Berg in their team.
White and Andy Marinos, the recently-appointed manager of national teams, met with officials of the WP Rugby Union on Thursday to further discuss the matter of resting key international
players. They will meet with the other three provinces - the Cheetahs, Sharks and Blue Bulls - on Monday.
Springbok coach Jake White's wish to have 10 key players sit out the Currie Cup has come true - for how long, though, remains to be seen.
To ensure the core of his Bok squad are fresh for the end of year tour and next year's expanded Super 14 and international season, White earlier this week requested some of his players be exempt from playing in the Currie Cup.
This request was met with mixed feelings by the unions affected - the Blue Bulls, Cheetahs, Western Province and the Sharks. None of the Lions' players - Lawrence Sephaka, Ricky Januarie, André Pretorius and Jaque Fourie - was included in the list.
'The request is unacceptable and unreasonable'
The 10 players are Percy Montgomery, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Joe van Niekerk, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, John Smit and Os du Randt.
The provincial unions, in spite of having plenty to say this week, have allowed all 10 players to sit this weekend out. Whether it is because of White's request or the fact the individual unions themselves feel the players need a break after a gruelling Tri-Nations campaign and long flight back to South Africa, is unknown.
But whether the provinces will be so accommodating next weekend and in the lead up to the semifinals is doubtful. All the unions are paying good money for the players and have a Currie Cup they want to win. And then there are the sponsors, like Absa, and fans who obviously want the top men to be seen in the province's colours.
To complicate matters White and the South African Rugby Union (Saru) have threatened the 10 players with omission from the Bok squad for the end of year tour should they play in the Currie Cup. This move has especially infuriated the provinces. The majority of the players, too, want to at least play some role in their teams' Currie Cup challenge.
Free State Rugby Union president Harold Verster, in spite of getting the green light to use two of his Boks - Michael Claassens and Juan Smith - will not be allowed to call on his first-choice props, Van der Linde and Du Randt.
"I think the request is unacceptable and unreasonable," said Verster. "CJ has played only 12 matches this year, he's still young and wants to play. In the case of Os, I fully understand. He's getting on in years, but I also think we could use him in a few games ... he also needs to stay active and involved."
The Lions, while not affected by White's request, say they will in any case not play their Boks in all the games. "We've got a squad system going here and all the players will be rested at some stage during the season," said Chief Executive Officer Andy Turner. "We've done well up to now without our Boks, so we'll use the guys sparingly."
Coach Frans Ludeke commented: "The Boks in our team are special players, game-breakers, and they can make a difference, but right now they need a break." None has been included in the Lions team for this weekend's clash with Western Province, who've included Eddie Andrews and De Wet Barry and have Hanyani Shimange on the bench.
The Bulls have Pedrie Wannenburg in their line-up, while Gary Botha, Danie Rossouw and Fourie du Preez are on the bench. The Sharks are resting Smit and Montgomery, but have included Albert van den Berg in their team.
White and Andy Marinos, the recently-appointed manager of national teams, met with officials of the WP Rugby Union on Thursday to further discuss the matter of resting key international
players. They will meet with the other three provinces - the Cheetahs, Sharks and Blue Bulls - on Monday.