It is understood that French-based players in the Springbok squad are unlikely to be available to play Scotland in next week’s Test in Port Elizabeth.
This means the likes of Morne Steyn, Gurthro Steenkamp, Bakkies Botha and Bryan Habana will all have to report back to their clubs.
It’s understood the clubs will invoke International Rugby Board (IRB) Regulation Nine, which governs the release of players for the June test window.
The regulation stipulates that releases are required for the second, third and fourth weekends of June, or for three matches.
EWN Sport
As a result of all of these players being in the squad that played against the World XV and not an official test, the Boks could field a depleted side against Scotland next week.
Habana is currently not with the squad due to the birth of his first child but will re-join them on Friday ahead of Saturday’s second Test against Wales.
It’s unclear as to whether Toulon would grant him further leave to be with his family and still play for the Springboks in Port Elizabeth.
Wynand Olivier, who plays for French club Montpellier, is on the replacements bench for Saturday’s game against Wales and played for the World XV against the Springboks on the opening weekend of June.
It’s unclear as to whether Francois Louw (Bath), Schalk Brits (Saracens) or Ruan Pienaar (Ulster) will also possibly return to their clubs for the same reason.
Meanwhile, Victor Matfield will become the most-capped Test player in the history of South African rugby on Saturday when he leads the Springboks against Wales in his 112th Test match at the Mbombela Stadium.
The record-breaking feat caps a remarkable return to rugby for the veteran lock, who retired after the Rugby World Cup in 2011, before making a highly successful return to the game earlier this year.
The 37-year-old made his Test debut on 30 June 2001 against Italy in Port Elizabeth.
Great thanks, at last there is an answer to a question have had for a long time now. Wasn’t sure what the position was with the French based players but thought that the likes of Francois Louw and Schalk Brits would not be available as the English Premiership don’t allow their clubs to chose to make their players available outside the IRB window – they went as far as fining Northampton Saints for allowing George North to play for Wales outside the window, think it was during last year’s Autumn Internataionals. A crazy situation so even if Bok management had a good working relationship with the player’s clubs it wouldn’t help them much to get players released as the clubs would then face fines.
The PRO12 league doesn’t have the same policy as Premiership Rugby (England) as far as know so if they can negotiate with Ulster Pienaar could/should well be available.
They should know by now for sure, should have known a while ago actually so that proper planning could have been for the test so why don’t we just email SA Rugby and ask them what is the case for the Scotland test.
The question that needs to be asked is this. Who asked for the game (a non-test) against the World 15 in the 1st weekend of the test window period?
The coach? SARU? A independent sports/rugby promoter who stood to gain a lot of money?
4 @ Nama:
Even more important is WHO APPROVED the schedule?
SARU = Shabby Amateur Rugby Untermench!
@ Nama:
Thats a good question, I remember the whole idea started with the City of Cape Town I think that wanted a game to be played at greenpoint stadium to make up some costs… in die end the concept was high jacked and played at newlands.
Now, I dont know who made the money from this, but im sure any coach would like an extra game with his team.
I think the question goes a bit deeper, why did south african teams start a week earlier, creating this gap and moving one of the springbok tests outside the test window? Thus an extra week was created for south African players compared to the anzancs.
http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/world-xv-clash-a-boost-for-boks
” The pros of a proposed game at the Cape Town Stadium on 7 June far outweigh the cons, writes JON CARDINELLI.
It has been reported that Saru and the WPRFU are looking to host a match between the Springboks and a World XV at the Cape Town Stadium just a week before the Test season commences. If this event were to be staged as planned, it would be a massive occasion and hopefully the first of many high-profile rugby clashes played at what is a magnificent sporting venue.”
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springboks/Boks-v-World-XV-in-Cape-Town-20140129
Reading that article again, I think it is safe to say that WP has no thoughts of even moving away from newlands.
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