SA Rugby locked in ‘urgent’ talks to resolve Springboks players’ release issue as URC teams’ demands revealed
The Bulls, Lions, Sharks, and Stormers all return to action in the URC the same weekend as the November 29 match at the Principality Stadium, which takes place outside of the official World Rugby Test calendar.
Because of this, the teams are asking SARU for compensation because they will lose some of their best players who will be serving abroad.
SA URC teams’ demands
Rapport claims that the franchises’ demands for R500 000 (about £22,000) per player utilized by the Springboks are the crux of the dispute over compensation, with SA Rugby’s counter offer being “much lower.”
The South African teams are reportedly not too happy that the Springboks have 15 games planned for this season, but these kinds of talks are not exclusive to South Africa; they have happened multiple times with England and France.
In addition to being unavailable to the URC teams while playing for the Boks, players are also required to take an eight-week break, during which the franchises have allegedly claimed that the Japan Test should now be included. “Instead of fighting, we are desperately trying to find a middle ground,” a source told Rapport.
“It’s challenging to solve.” The talks are going well, according to an administrator, and there is no risk that the URC teams will bar Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus from seeing the players. “The Boks from the franchises will not play against Wales, and it’s not a fight,” they stated.
“The Bok management team has already been assured that the players will play against Wales; the issue now is to negotiate a compromise on the amount of money each player will earn for the Test matches.
“The conversations are not new; they have occurred numerous times previously between England and their clubs and with France.”
Erasmus will have access to Springbok players under contract with Japanese clubs for the Test matches against Wales and Japan, even though neither match takes place during the official international window.
The Bok boss has revealed that the clash against the Eddie Jones-coached Brave Blossoms at Wembley Stadium next week will be used to get matchday minutes into the legs of many of the Japan-based players who haven’t played any rugby since the Rugby Championship. It will also provide the opportunity for injured players to make their returns to Test rugby.
Due to their clubs’ refusal to release them, head coach Steve Tandy will be without 12 of his players who play for teams outside of Wales for the match against the Springboks.
The new Wales manager stated that a young team is likely to play South Africa in their final match of the November internationals, ruling out players like Rhys Carre, Archie Griffin, Dafydd Jenkins, Nicky Smith, Freddie Thomas, Jarrod Evans, Louie Hennessey, Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins, and Tomos Williams.
When asked if the Springboks game might offer an opportunity for the uncapped players to receive their chance, he said, “Definitely.” It’s an empty canvas.
No matter your age, the selecting process is completely open to you. “There are older players that you believe might play, but in the end, everyone has an opportunity to leave their stamp on the group’s off-field behavior and training methods.
“There’s an opportunity for a cap.
“There is still a genuine chance to demonstrate their abilities even if they are not capped.” Thomas du Toit, Boan Venter, Jean Kleyn, and RG Snyman will not be available for the Boks’ match against Wales.
