DAVID SHAPSHAK, Johannesburg | Monday 6.00pm
FACING several angry provinces’ over the availability of Springboks for the Currie Cup play-offs, 10 players have been released to play for the next two weekends, the South African Rugby Football announced on Monday.
Although hardest hit by plans for a Bok camp prior to the defence of the World Cup, Natal have the most players released: Mark Andrews Adrian Garvey, Ollie le Roux, Chris Rossouw, Stefan Terblanche.
Also released were Breyton Paulse (Western Province), Gaffie du Toit (Griquas), Werner Swanepoel (Golden Lions) Ruben Kruger and Franco Smith (both Blue Bulls).
Springbok Physiotherapist Wayne Diesel said the decision had been made on “purely medical grounds and each case has been looked at on an individual basis” after he consulted team doctor Frans Verster and fitness trainer Kevin Stevenson.
“Some players, such as Brendan Venter, are still troubled with injuries while others such as Andre Venter need rest after the recent run of hard Test matches.”
“Others however such as Werner Swanepoel haven’t had much playing time in recent weeks and can benefit from playing some games.
“We need the players to be at their absolute peak during the World Cup hence it is important to rest some players at this time. It will however be active rest.”
Springbok coach Nick Mallett has been under fire from some unions, most notably Natal, for not allowing players to be released for the Currie Cup semi-finals and finals.
Mallett will announce his 30 player World Cup squad on August 29, and begin a three week training camp the next day — ruling the players out of the playoffs.
“If the proposal is accepted players won’t be available for the Currie Cup semi-finals on September 4 or final on September 11. It was discussed with the union presidents. We have much work still to do – the year will be remembered for who won the World Cup, not the Currie Cup,” the forthright coach has said.
Mallett also wants to play two warm-up matches, against a Southern Cape XV on September 12 and the SA Barbarians on September 19.
“Sarfu has a commitment from Mallett, in writing, that players would be available for the play-offs. But he has changed his mind because of injuries,” Keith Parkinson, chairman of the board of directors of the Natal Rugby Union, told Business Day.
“We are in a hole, If we disagree, our decision will be seen as not in the best interest of SA rugby. We and Free State will be hit hard without our top players. Seven of ours – Stefan Terblanche, Pieter Muller, Henry Honiball, Ollie le Roux, Chris Rossouw, Adrian Garvey and Mark Andrews – could make the World Cup squad.”
Without their Springboks, Natal crashed to 16-22 upset to minnowsEastern Provinceon Sunday, their provincial neigbours who form part of the regional Super 12 block that make up the Sharks.
“What about the rights of our more than 20000 season ticket-holders and suite-owners ? They have spent millions to watch our best players.”
It was not known if the players would be released for more than the games on the weekends of August 20 to 22 and 27 to 29.