Bok fans deserve 'the best'
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:08
A penny for your thoughts, Div? (c) Gallo
The Springbok supporters deserve to see the best players on the field. That is what they pay 'top dollar' for.
This is the view of South Africa's head coach, Peter de Villiers, who indicated that he won't rest any of his heavyweights for Saturday's final Tri-Nations Test against Australia in Bloemfontein.
Speaking to the media as the Boks started their build-up to the Test, De Villiers said supporters are amongst the "most important role players" in the game.
"You have to weight up all the issues, to find the perfect balance," De Villiers said, when asked if it was not perhaps a good opportunity to rest some of the many senior players who - by his own admission - have been overplayed this year.
"[you have to ask] what do the people want?," De Villiers told the media gathering.
"What do the people pay for on Saturday?
"They want to see their heroes and they deserve to see their heroes on the field."
The Bok coach said this is likely to be the Bloemfontein supporters' last chance to see the team in action in their home town, before the World Cup next year.
He added that he has to consider all the various issues surrounding the team before he makes any changes.
"I also have to ask: 'What can I do this week to freshen them [the players] up?'.
"Can I ensure they can play for at least 60 minutes, and then make replacements?
"It is not just about selecting a side that can go out there and do the job.
"The fans in this country are the role players I value the most, because they support you."
It has now become more likely that De Villiers will rest some senior players for the year-end tour, where the Boks will play all four Home Unions 0- England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland - as well as the Barbarians.
Some media reports have suggested that Free State Cheetahs star Juan Smith could captain the Springboks in November, in the possible absence of regular captain John Smit and his vice-captain Victor Matfield.
However, De Villiers made it clear that no decision has been taken on which, if any, players will be rested from the year-end trip.