SPRINGBOK COACH HEYNEKE Meyer admitted ‘obvious concern’ yesterday over the recent trend of young South African players being snapped up by Irish provinces.
The latest influx from the south has brought Quinn Roux to Leinster, CJ Stander to Munster and Danie Poolman to Connacht.
All three are on apparent ‘development contracts’ with a view to possibly following Richardt Strauss’ lead and become eligible to play for Ireland in three years.
“Yes, obviously concerned.” Meyer said when asked about the matter. “You want the best guys in South Africa and obviously with a lot of guys leaving we don’t have the depth that we had.”
The former Leicester Tigers coach added: “Sitting in my hotel room last night I just went through the players that are playing overseas and you could actually pick an unbelievably strong South African Springbok side just from the players that are overseas. Every single position there is a great player that is playing overseas.”
Unlike New Zealand and Australia, the Springboks still view overseas players as eligible for the national team, but Meyer did admit that his preference is to pick from those still plying their trade in the Super XV. Ulster’s Ruan Pienaar being a notable northern hemisphere star who will don the Protea on Saturday.
Of the three players potentially lost, Meyer singled out Munster’s new recruit for praise, but was soon rowing back over his ‘depth’ complaint:
“I’ve coached CJ (Stander), he’s a brilliant open-side, a brilliant loose forward and he can definitely go on to play for Ireland, he’s good enough. But again, South Africa have so many good loose forwards, if a guy plays international rugby you’re happy for him.
“Obviously I want to keep them all in South Africa, but at this stage you can’t. It’s a professional game; they have to look after their families and their future. Hopefully he’ll come back but I understand in an ideal world (for him and Irish Rugby) if he gets the opportunity he’ll probably be good enough to play for Ireland.
“So, that’s probably part of the modern game where guys find opportunities to play for other countries aswell.”
Of course, Meyer’s words also had relevance to Strauss; who (if he starts) will not only be facing the nation of his birth, but also going literally head to head with his first cousin, Springbok hooker Adriaan Strauss.
Meyer insisted he has no ill will towards the Leinster hooker, but intriguingly began by saying: “Although I’m a professional coach, I still believe in the ethos of the game and the ethics of the game,” but in the same sentence added that he was happy for Strauss, a sentiment he would repeat.
“Being a rugby man, it’s just great to see him play. He played really well in South Africa and I’m really happy for him.
“Obviously, there won’t be any favours and he will probably understand Afrikaans and know all our calls. He’s a great individual as well as a human being and I’m really happy for him. I hope he gets the opportunity to play for Ireland.
“Obviously I would like all the players to be available for South Africa, but that’s the modern game. In the end, it’s all about building relationships and enjoying what you do. So, I’m really happy for him and I’m looking forward to seeing him play.”
