The future of rugby players that are contracted by Unions at a young age can be dumped into uncertainty quite easily because of their lack of higher education.

That is why the South African Rugby Players’ Association did some research among 97 professional players, including Springboks, at the end of last year.

SARPA chief executive Piet Heymans said that South Africa and New Zealand each have around 600 professional players compared to the 150 of Australia.

The countries’ socio-economic circumstances differ, but only 18.8% of South African players have degrees, while the Aussies boasted 79% by 2008.

Furthermore, 58.3% of the country’s professional players have matric as a highest qualification.

In the light of this fact, SARPA have launched a wealth management course of five weeks among willing players at Boland.

“You get a basic qualification that will give you a foot in the door at any institution that resides under the Financial Services Board,” said Heymans.

“We want more successful guys like Bismarck du Plessis in South Africa. When he has finished training with the Sharks, he puts on a suit to see clients,” said Heymans.

However, Heymans believes South Africa’s SANZAR partners are far ahead of them.

“Australia already received funds (from their government and the Australian Rugby Union) 10 years ago to prepare players for life after rugby. By 2008, 79% of Australia’s former players were in the career of their choice and 85% happy with life after rugby.”

New Zealand appointed a “professional development manager” at every franchise in 2001 to ensure that players study successfully while playing rugby.

The fact that only about a fifth of South Africa’s professional players are currently receiving tertiary education gives rise to just under half of them knowing what they want to do after their careers.

Danré Gerber, a Boland backline player and son of former Springbok Danie, is following SARPA’s course and told Sport24: “I’m still going to do a degree course, but for now am finding this interesting. While it’s aimed at life after rugby, it also helps you as player to manage your finances better.”

About the life after rugby course, Danie Gerber said: “Rugby is a short and uncertain career. I will advise guys at smaller unions to find another job or gain a qualification.

“But it’s the big unions that really worry me. They contract hordes of young players, but only a handful ultimately play professional rugby successfully. The rest then end up sitting without a qualification. That is why you always need something to fall back on.”

In America bleacherreport.com reported an interesting incident that occurred last month.

America’s top football league, the NFL, pulls in players annually from the country’s top university teams.

Myron Rolle of Florida State University was at the top of the list last year, but declined it due to a Rhodes bursary to study at Oxford University.

He wants to become a brain surgeon when he finishes as a player. However, the interest in his services declined due to his “commitment to the game” being questioned.

Heymans said that some South African rugby bosses had a similar attitude when it came to the academic upliftment of players.