'Overseas trial' for Boks
Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:49
Overseas influx: Springbok captain John Smit
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers could use 2010 as a 'trial' for the legion of South Africans currently plying their trade abroad.
With a record 15 internationals awaiting the Boks this season, player management a year out from the World Cup - in New Zealand in 2011 - has become a heated topic for debate.
And with the addition of a June 5 Test against Wales in Cardiff there was an outcry, with critics questioning the wisdom of the South African Rugby Union - who accepted the lucrative trip to the Millennium Stadium on top of 13 other Tests and a game against the Barbarians.
However, rugby365.com can now reveal that in a break from the stated intention this year will see a host of overseas-based players being used by Bok coach Peter de Villiers and his coaching staff - to help avoid burnout of those players expected to go to the World Cup.
And in an additional spin-off it will be an ideal opportunity for De Villiers to have a look at those players based in Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
It has been revealed that when the Boks kick off their international campaign against Wales in Cardiff the bulk of the team will consist of overseas-based players who have already played for South Africa.
Although key players like captain John Smit and veteran lock Victor Matfield will come into the selection frame, the team will consist mostly of players from abroad.
Players like BJ Botha and CJ van der Linde, who were called up in an emergency measure for the 2009 year-end tour, could join up with the likes of Jean de Villiers, Francois Steyn, Gcobani Bobo, Butch James, Derick Hougaard, Michael Claassens, Neil de Kock, Wikus van Heerden, Marco Wentzel, Daan Human, Faan Rautenbach, Danie Coetzee and Peter Dixon.
And De Villiers will only consider players who already have Springbok colours, meaning the Bok jersey won't be cheapened.
This will apply not just for the Welsh Test, but also other internationals - such as the Boks' year-end tour in which they will attempt a Grand Slam against the four Home Union - England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland - and finish off with the international against the Barbarians in December.
Piet Heymans, the Chief Executive of the South African Rugby Players Association, confirmed that they are "aware" of the planning for the Wales Test and the management of the national team players for the remainder of the year.
"We have been in contact with [Bok coach] Peter de Villiers and his management team since January," Heymans told rugby365.com Thursday.
"There won't be a blanket recovery system, as in the past, for the Bok players," Heymans said, adding: "It will be based on the data obtained on individual players and how much each has played and trained."
Another aspect that will be factored into the selection equation for the Welsh Test is which - if any - South African teams make it into the Super 14 play-offs.
If, for argument's sake, John Smit's Sharks fail to reach the semifinals, Smit will captain the Boks in Cardiff.
If the Bulls do make it into the play-offs, it will rule Matfield and several other Boks out of the equation.
Heymans also revealed that new technology being used in the Super 14 will allow De Villiers and his medical staff to monitor exactly how much time the Boks are spending on the field.
Devices sewn into the jerseys of the players will provide information on distances covered during a game, running speeds, heart rates, intensity of player impacts and energy expended during matches.
By Jan de Koning
* What do you think, should the Bok coach lean on the 'overseas Boks'? Leave your comment below!
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