Stormers coach Allister Coetzee wants SANZAR to change their regulations so that Super Rugby teams can field their strongest teams in the play offs.
rugbyweek
SANZAR regulations say that a player must have been registered before April the 1st and have played in four games to be eligible to participate in the playoffs.
Super Rugby teams are also only permitted to register 35 players at the start of the season.
The ruling means that the Stormers will not be able to select new Canadian recruit, Jebb Sinclair if they reach the playoffs.
The Stormers physical game has been catching up with them as the injuries especially to loose forward have forced the Stormers to bring in Sinclair.
SANZAR regulations were tightened after the Stormers brought in Saracens hooker Schalk Brits and played him at flank in last year’s play offs even though he had not played for them in years.
Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen and Nick Koster have all suffered knee injuries and are not expected back until July and this week eighth man Nizaam Carr was ruled out for the rest of the season.
“I think more players should be made available than the 35 allowed, especially if you take into consideration that there’s a Test break in between as well,” Coetzee told Die Burger.
“We don’t know in what condition the players will return if they were picked by the Boks.”
“I believe teams should be allowed to register 40 or 45 players,” added Coetzee.
The Stormers play the Waratahs at Newlands on Saturday and Coetzee is expected to select either Nick Fenton-Wells or Don Armand from Western Province’s Vodacom Cup side to provide loose forward cover.