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Jake White: Ban overseas players from playing for the Boks
The Bulls boss says getting just 50% of the foreign-based players back in the country would strengthen all of the teams in SA.
Duane Vermeulen, formerly of the Bulls and now of Ulster. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
Ban all overseas-based South Africans from playing for the Springboks!
That’s the only way South Africa’s top rugby franchises will be able to compete against the European powerhouses, according to Bulls director of rugby Jake White.
South Africa’s top teams, the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers, have all been bundled out of the Europe-based Champions Cup before the semi-finals stage, while the Lions and Cheetahs also failed to advance to the last four of the second-tier Challenge Cup.
‘Need the best in SA’
Former Bok coach and 2007 World Cup winner White says there is only one way for the South African teams to compete on an even footing with the likes of Toulouse, Saracens, La Rochelle, Leicester, Leinster and the like and that’s to get all of South Africa’s best players back in South Africa.
“We can only compete if we’re able to keep our best players in South Africa,” said White on Thursday.
“It’s the only way. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, anyone who plays abroad should not be eligible to play for the Springboks.”
White said up to 300 South Africans are currently plying their trade outside of South Africa.
“(What’s happened in the European Cup competitions) proves we need these players back in the country.
“If you have a desire to play for the Springboks and play international rugby then money shouldn’t come into it.”
Strengthen all local sides
White quoted the example of 2019 World Cup winner and former Stormers and Bulls No 8 Duane Vermeulen playing in Ireland for Ulster.
“It’s bizarre,” said White.
“Of course you won’t be able to keep every player in South Africa, but if we could get 50% of them back and put them into our franchises, our URC teams would better, the Currie Cup teams would be stronger, and we’d compete better in Europe. There would be no watered-down teams.”
White added it was eye-opening to see how easily the top European teams got the better of the Bulls, Sharks, Lions and Stormers in recent weeks.
“Watching the action in recent weeks it looked like we were left behind,” said White. “That’s what happens when the big guns come out.”
White’s Bulls need to win their remaining two URC game to qualify for the playoffs. They are up against Zebre this weekend and face Leinster next Saturday. Both matches are on the highveld.
“They are must-win games. Our destiny is in our own hands,” said White.
