Springboks players likely to be involved in the World Cup, will be exempt from playing Currie Cup rugby for the next two years.
This was confirmed on Tuesday by SA Rugby manager of national teams Andy Marinos at a media briefing in Johannesburg.
Players who will be in Springbok coach Jake White’s squad will only be the property of their unions or Super 14 franchises for the duration of the Super 14 in 2007.
”We have agreed with the various unions that the players will be their responsibility for the entire Super 14 campaign. After the Super 14 the players’ contracts with SA Rugby become effective, meaning that they will be our responsibility from there on,” Marinos said.
This year Springbok players will only be able to join their provinces for the Currie Cup at the beginning of October, leaving their respective unions with only three matches before the Currie Cup final is played.
Marinos reiterated that certain players would not be available for their provinces completely, as White would probably request they be rested.
”In essence this means that the players will be with the Springboks for the incoming tours and Tri-Nations and certain players will have to be rested afterwards. Not all the players will be rested but some especially those that the coach feels need time off,” said Marinos. – Sapa