Comments on: Bring back the ban on foreign-based rugby players. http://www.sportsleader.co.za/poendevilliers/2008/06/17/bring-back-the-ban-on-foreign-based-rugby-players/ Thu, 17 May 2012 14:02:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Paddy II http://www.sportsleader.co.za/poendevilliers/2008/06/17/bring-back-the-ban-on-foreign-based-rugby-players/#comment-3723 Paddy II Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:09:49 +0000 http://www.sportsleader.co.za/poendevilliers/2008/06/17/bring-back-the-ban-on-foreign-based-rugby-players/#comment-3723 Poen, I think your motivations are admirable and idealistic, and I agree with the sentiment. However, on pragmatic grounds I agree with the two comments above mine: I don't think that bans are a feasible solution. You said: >Isn’t this potentially setting a dangerous precedent that will make it acceptable for other Springboks who also have foreign club obligations to choose their clubs over the national side, even when the Boks are up against stronger opponents? It might be setting that precedent, yes. And if there is an occasion when a Bok is -free to choose- between playing for a club and playing for SA, AND he chooses to play for the club, THEN I think there may be grounds for his exclusion (as in the case of Benni McCarthy of Bafana Bafana and Blackburn Rovers). But this isn't the case with Montgomery and Smit: they are to bound by their club contracts (their clubs relaxed contractual requirements ad hoc for the Wales tests but not for the Italy test) and are not free to choose, so they shouldn't be punished. As always: Go Bokke! Poen, I think your motivations are admirable and idealistic, and I agree with the sentiment. However, on pragmatic grounds I agree with the two comments above mine: I don’t think that bans are a feasible solution.

You said:

>Isn’t this potentially setting a dangerous precedent that will make it acceptable for other Springboks who also have foreign club obligations to choose their clubs over the national side, even when the Boks are up against stronger opponents?

It might be setting that precedent, yes. And if there is an occasion when a Bok is -free to choose- between playing for a club and playing for SA, AND he chooses to play for the club, THEN I think there may be grounds for his exclusion (as in the case of Benni McCarthy of Bafana Bafana and Blackburn Rovers). But this isn’t the case with Montgomery and Smit: they are to bound by their club contracts (their clubs relaxed contractual requirements ad hoc for the Wales tests but not for the Italy test) and are not free to choose, so they shouldn’t be punished.

As always: Go Bokke!

(Report abuse)

]]> By: Slider http://www.sportsleader.co.za/poendevilliers/2008/06/17/bring-back-the-ban-on-foreign-based-rugby-players/#comment-3642 Slider Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:58:05 +0000 http://www.sportsleader.co.za/poendevilliers/2008/06/17/bring-back-the-ban-on-foreign-based-rugby-players/#comment-3642 Butch has not ended his contract at Bath, he has simply completed the season. Incidentally, he is a much better player these days. The current SARU policy is right - The Springboks will select the best South African players, while professional sportsmen will make their own choices about where they wish to play non-international rugby. The exodus of players (it's actually about 300) occurred while there was a ban/limit on overseas Springboks, so clearly that approach doesn't work anyway. Butch has not ended his contract at Bath, he has simply completed the season. Incidentally, he is a much better player these days.

The current SARU policy is right - The Springboks will select the best South African players, while professional sportsmen will make their own choices about where they wish to play non-international rugby.

The exodus of players (it’s actually about 300) occurred while there was a ban/limit on overseas Springboks, so clearly that approach doesn’t work anyway.

(Report abuse)

]]> By: Middles http://www.sportsleader.co.za/poendevilliers/2008/06/17/bring-back-the-ban-on-foreign-based-rugby-players/#comment-3639 Middles Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:42:11 +0000 http://www.sportsleader.co.za/poendevilliers/2008/06/17/bring-back-the-ban-on-foreign-based-rugby-players/#comment-3639 I think you misunderstood. Both Percy and Smit have ended their foreign contracts and are returning to play their rugby in South Africa. Percy for WP and Smit for the Sharks. Victor has also returned for the Bulls and Butch has ended his contract with Bath. It is blatantly clear that Peter De Villiers told these guys that in order to play for the Bokke they would have to play their rugby in SA. These players just had to see out their current foreign contracts. The semi-final's this weekend was a compromise reached between the clubs and SA Rugby wherein Smit and Percy would be released from their remaining club commitments for the two tests against Wales however, should either club qualify for the semi-finals, it was agreed that the players would be available for such. Both clubs qualified. Don't worry, this was just an interim arrangement and is more the exception than the rule. I think you misunderstood.

Both Percy and Smit have ended their foreign contracts and are returning to play their rugby in South Africa. Percy for WP and Smit for the Sharks.

Victor has also returned for the Bulls and Butch has ended his contract with Bath.

It is blatantly clear that Peter De Villiers told these guys that in order to play for the Bokke they would have to play their rugby in SA. These players just had to see out their current foreign contracts.

The semi-final’s this weekend was a compromise reached between the clubs and SA Rugby wherein Smit and Percy would be released from their remaining club commitments for the two tests against Wales however, should either club qualify for the semi-finals, it was agreed that the players would be available for such. Both clubs qualified.

Don’t worry, this was just an interim arrangement and is more the exception than the rule.

(Report abuse)

]]>