The South African Rugby Union (SARU) should consider changes to its competition structures to ensure that promising black players, in particular, do not “disappear” between under-21 and senior level.
That was the view on Monday from South African Rugby Players Association (SARPA) chief executive Piet Heymans.
“The players’ position is that they want equal opportunities. If they are good enough, they want to play. No player wants to be viewed as a quota player and everybody wants to be there on merit. Black players are not in favour of quotas. Their plea is for equal playing opportunities and game time,” said Heymans.
“SARU should be creative with the competition structures and see if there is a way of making the transition from junior to senior level easier. The bigger provinces should also be more willing to loan players they aren’t using to smaller provinces. It is happening already, but the system can be utilised even better.”
Sport24 understands that the Vodacom Cup will still be played as usual next year, but that an age limit may be applied from 2012 onwards.
One possibility is to make it an under-23 competition, while there is also a school of thought that it should make way for a super club competition.
“It does not help for SARU to criticise the provinces. As governing body of rugby, SARU have the ability to do something about the (transformation) issue. The question is just whether the leadership is strong enough to really do something about it,” said Heymans.
He also believes that it’s important to manage the expectations of players.
“Players have high expectations and don’t necessarily want to wait a year or two for their opportunities. They want it immediately,” said Heymans.
“In that case a loan option should be looked at, or a player should play club rugby with the understanding that he will definitely be in the future plans.
“Communication and honesty is very important in the management of a player’s expectations. If a player knows where he fits into future plans and knows what he has to do to get there, it will contribute a lot to players not becoming disillusioned and then stopping playing rugby.”
“He also believes that it’s important to manage the expectations of players”
If one looks realistic to the size of the cake or pie, there is only a small percentage of rugby players that appear on our screens. The Bulls as example have about 100 players playing in its various competitions. S14, CC, Vodacom Cup, u/19 and u/21 and then maybe another 60 we see in the Varsity Cup teams.
There must be thousands of players playing rugby in the Blue Bull feeder unions and Pretoria. How are they spotted, where do they get any exposure? The Union must have scouts or selectors doing their rounds amongst the clubs, but how do you get a late bloomer back into the main structures? Will the talent seeker be able to invite a player to a Bulls training camp or session to give him exposure? Take a player like Earl Rose , what is the chance that he will get back into the Lions training structures.
superBul wrote:
He is waiting for Frans Ludeke to give him the call. Rose doesn’t want to play for the Lions, they don’t appreciate his “talent” as much as Frans.
Changing the Vodacom Cup into an under 23 competition isn’t a bad idea, if it is marketed well, and gets plenty of television coverage you will be able to accommodate quite a number of players who will get seen. It will be a good platform for Provinces to feed from.
@ biltongbek:
2
I am taking my Bulls life in my own hands with what i am going to say now.
I always said that if we can let Earl lose in a structured team like the Bulls he will come through. He was playing in a rubble heap at the Lions. There was nothing going on there, even Morne Steyn would have disappeared there.
superBul wrote:
that is the problem for a number of Lions players over the years.
Think of Jano Vermaak, even Doppies le Grange may have had a look in if he was playing elsewher.
It does concern me that our Springboks mainly come from 3 provinces, and if you look at this year, mainly two. We need 6 strong provinces that are all well represented in our bok team.
But Lions rugby even with John Mitchell turning the tide has more problems than we know about.
Look at the Cheetahs, they need money.
Currently there are really only three provinces/franchises who can sustain and build strong teams.
@ biltongbek:
SARU must be stricter with the size of the Super Rugby squads. if they increase it from 30 to 35 , well that is what you are allowed to have on contract.
I know i would cry if we lose 2 players in a position but bloody hell out of 35 players you must be able to put a team on the field.
That will ensure that players and their agents go and negotiate at other teams too. At tis stage everyone looks first at the 3 BIG money spinners.
@ superBul:
Ja, sadly it is all about da money!
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