Peter de Villiers said on Monday that the Emerging Springboks’ participation in the IRB Nations Cup in Romania may be in jeopardy.
The Springbok coach said he had become aware of objections by Currie Cup unions that they stand to lose players to the Emerging Springboks who will be playing in Romania from June 11-20, according to News24.
Many unions have already been hit hard by call-ups to the Springboks during the Currie Cup season.
The Springboks training camp will be releasing a number of players after Wednesday’s announcement of the first Test squad. Some of these players will be taken up into the Emerging Springbok squad, and the rest will return to their unions for Currie Cup duty.
“I am just waiting to see what’s going to happen with the Emerging Boks, if it is still going to happen or not,” said De Villiers.
Unions want Currie Cup players
“I want the succession plan to work, and that’s why I would like to see some players going to the Emerging Boks. At this camp the players have learnt how the Boks work, and now it will be good for them to get the feeling of competition with the Emerging Boks.”
De Villiers said a few unions did not want to release players because they were needed for Currie Cup duty. The Emerging Springbok squad are expected to start training soon after Wednesday’s announcement that would mean players will miss out on a Currie Cup pre-season build-up and warm-up matches.
“We don’t want to send a mediocre team out to the IRB competition,” said De Villiers. “We (South Africa) are a proud nation, proud of what we are doing. Rugby is our religion.
Just an hour after De Villiers’ expressed his fears about the Emerging Boks, SA Rugby’s communications department sent out of reminder that the Emerging Boks squad will be announced on Wednesday at Somerset West, possibly as a reaction to De Villiers’ comments earlier in the day.
The Emerging Boks are the reigning IRB Nations Cup champions.
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I’m not all that surprised at this development. They should have made sure that this thing didn’t overlap with the Currie Cup
Even so, the players only stand to miss one Currie Cup game. SARU should not allow themselves to be bullied by the unions. Especially as I’ve already booked my flights to Bucharest.
@Flashman (Comment 2) : Where do you live, Flashy?
@robdylan (Comment 3) : I’m living in Spain at the moment – it’s an odd country, and not very sunny at the moment.
@Flashman (Comment 4) : Muy bien! What on Earth are you doing there? And what part?
@robdylan (Comment 5) : Si, bien y Sevilla es muy bonito, which is where I’ve been based the past few months, doing research at the university. Then it’s back to England for a year or so. Andalucia’s an interesting place, have you been?
What about you? I’m guessing Durban North, Westville or London.
@Flashman (Comment 6) : I’ve only been to madrid. Would love to see more of Spain. I’m in sevenoaks. South east of London, in Kent
@robdylan (Comment 7) : Ah Kent, I know it well. Many a pleasant afternoon I spent wandering through the pantiles.
There are more places to avoid in Spain than not, but the good places are great. Madrid’s definitely one of them, Seville’s not bad either.
It always amazes me that the Unions think like this.
Screw the unions…send the boys to Romania.
@blackshark (Comment 10) :
Well said! 😉
I’m in two minds about this but lean heavily toward the Emerging Boks having the final say.
i will say THIS though: Anyone who thinks the unions will be able to stop this tour must get their heads read.
Last year with the WC – the Sharks (and the Bulls) played with about 12 front line players missing – they all coped. And some went with the Emerging Boks. All the teams will have the same problem (some more than others again) but it gives the youngsters a chance to step up to the plate.
I am sure players like Craig, Patric and Steven are looking forward to the challenge and it gives guys like Keegan a chance to start more often.
Although I agree that the unions shouldnt be able to dictate matters regarding the Boks, I feel that sending what is effectively the Bok B team serves no purpose at all to their rugby development. The only purpose it can serve is to give Chesters coaching CV some badly needed credibility.
@Salmonoid (Comment 14) :
I think with the amount of talent available at the moment – so many really good players haven’t even made the Bok squad and think even though it may be a “B” team – it would still be a very strong team.
@Salmonoid (Comment 14) :
Salmo – any international competition does wonders for development…si it’s not a waste of time… plus we’ll also help the other participants to improve their standards. It’s a win- win situation…
@blackshark (Comment 16) :
Although the result could be called somewhat rigged if we send a Bok “A” team. What chance do these guys have of beating us.
They should make a ruling of no player with more than 3 bok caps may play for the Emerging boks.
I know this example won’t be popular, but let’s say Adi gets an emerging Bok spot. that would be grossly unfair IMO. The guy is 28 year old with 10 caps. IMO he is anything BUT Emerging.
the real solution here is to delay the start of the Currie Cup. Remember, the Unions stand to lose financially if their teams do not perform in the Currie Cup.
@robdylan (Comment 18) :
And it would only have to be delayed by ONE week.
Will suit my holiday schedule better as well 😉
@Nessa (Comment 15) :
Indeed, way too strong for the likes of Italy A, Russia, Georgia, Romania and Uruguay. Its overkill – it was last year and it will be again this year.
@blackshark (Comment 16) :
This will resemble more of a Bok A (ie those that are next in line for the Boks) team than a development team – if it was a developmental team – lets say selected purely from the Vodacom Cup then I’d be fine with that.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) :
Agree…we had similar concerns last year with some players being labelled as “Emerging”…whereas they’ve been there and done that…
The squad should be made of guys who haven’t been called up to the senior Bok squad but are well on their way there…
@robdylan (Comment 18) :
1st game of the CC … I think people will be itching for some rugby…
@robdylan (Comment 18) : I agree.
@blackshark (Comment 21) :
Another classic example would be Peter Grant. He may only have two Bok caps but if he doesn’t make the cut (which would be a travesty) then he shouldn’t be included for the Emerging Boks.
I just think that it’s bollcoks that we should be playing a crunch game against WP in the Currie Cup where each team is likely to be missing up to ten first choice players. All that it does is turn the Currie Cup into a joke.
Italy A, Russia, Emerging South Africa, Georgia, Uruguay & Romania.
Why exactly are we taking part in this? What’s in it for SA?
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 26) : Maybe when we win this trophy, SARU can lend it to the Sharks…
@robdylan (Comment 27) :
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 26) :
A vehicle for window dressing… Dollie, Rose etc would get murdered should they play in the NZ Maori, Junior AB’s, Aus ‘A’ and PI XV comp…
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 26) :
And we only play Itlay, Romania and Georgia.
We might as well play Kenya, Zim, Nigeria etc.
just be glad we AREN’T playinmg in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2008
That comp runs from June 7 – July 6, 2008
See the schedule here
Would be fantastic to play our ‘real’ next best in the comp… should be a corker and invaluable for the team’s competing…
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 33) :
if you are refering to the Pacific nations Cup then YES.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) : Probably. But I feel that if we were really serious with this emerging bokkies malarkey, that is exactly where we should be playing. Or be playing in a tournament of that standard. Even the Churchill Cup would be better.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 34) :
And i wouldn’t mind losing players to the squad for that
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 35) :
yes, but not as an Emerging side rather as a SA “A” side then though
bryce
So what you are saying is that black players with potential should not be playing for the Emerging Boks but guys like Mostert, Ludik can play???
Stop being a bigot mate.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 37) : True.
@wpw (YNWA) (Comment 38) :
WPW
If you are refering to Bryce’s Comment #33 then i think you have misread it or I have then misread it. I read it as a “real” SA “A” as opposed to the Emerging Bok side that is being used in Bucharest.
We are of the opinion that the Emerging side should not be a SA “A” side as it will be slaughter in Bucharest, but rather a up and coming side.
@wpw (YNWA) (Comment 38) :
Pull your head in mate… certain selections cannot be painted any other way and the Emerging Boks tour is exactly that…
I agree KSA.
What’s in a name though???
Last year the Emerging Boks had guys like Grant, Chavangha and a few others who could possibly have made a difference to Jake’s test squad (TGHMEA not included)
Answer my question Bryce.
What’s the difference between Ludik and Rose?
Mostert and Lobberts???
I’ve stated a million times there is no point in not having our ‘proper’ A team competing with our peers under the Bok structures… the EB’s should be an U25’s team consising of ‘up-n-comers’… quite frankly your screams of ‘bigot’ our downright disappointing… but you get that!
@wpw (YNWA) (Comment 42) :
I tend to disagree a little.
Yes we slaughtered all opponents last year but Grant and the likes were nowhere near Bok selection (other than in the CT media 😉 ) and we performed the slaughter inspite of that.
In my mind a competition for a “real” 😉 SA “A” side as opposed to an Emerging / U/23 / “no player with more than 3 bok caps” Bok side would be more beneficial to SA.
It MIGHT even be a good idea to play in all three, so that you have a Bok side, a Bok A side and the Emerging /.. /.. (pick a name) Bok side all playing at the same time.
That will probably bury the CC but let’s face it, the hole has already been dug since the S14 started.
Ludik and Mostert would never be in my 2nd XV… but they are first choice selections in their S14 teams… so move along mate…
I seriously do not believe this a tournament befitting a Bok “B” or emerging side such as the calibre of player that took part last year.
Surely we can find/create a tournament more worthy and testing of those aspiring to Bok honours?
I wonder if the Blue Bulls’ flyhalf Burton Francis will get a call for the emerging Boks?
I bloody HOPE so, he played well against the Cheetahs in the VC Final (Only game i have seen him play) and BELIEVE he had a great season.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 48) :
He did
guys, let’s cutout the labeling and name-calling, please.
@PJLD (Comment 49) :
Yeah that’s what I heard. As i said a few days ago when someone asked, If he carries on in this vain he will be great.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 51) : I wish we could buy him
@Dive Pass (Comment 47) : How about the Super 14? 😉
Keep an eye on him ,looks to be the real deal, tall murrafunka too if i remember correctly
I have just learnt something OR the Bulls site has it wrong. they have him listed as Francis being his First name not his surname.
But he is still pretty tall.
Francis Burton
Position Flyhalf
Height 1.84m
Weight 85kg
Date of Birth 2/1/1987
Place of Birth Paarl
SARU have it the way I thought it was.
Full Name Burton Kenvin
Surname Francis
Height 184cm
Weight 85kg
Birth Date 2 January 1987
Birth City Paarl
Marital Status Single
Favourite Film The Longest Yard
Favourite Music R&B
Favourite Food Pasta,Braai Chicken
Primary School Paulus Joubert
Secondary School Klein Nederburg Secondary
I will take it as Burton IS his first name then.
1.84 is only tall if you’re a midget 😉
ou guys seen Keo’s story on gay rugby players? Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel. Makes me think they know of someone who’s gay and can’t wait to accidentally out him.
@robdylan (Comment 57) :
Hey that is more than 6 foot. You could almost make two Dollie’s out of him 😉
Exact same size as butch but shorter than Grant 😯
@robdylan (Comment 57) : Well i aint going to make many basketball teams
@robdylan (Comment 58) :
No didn’t see it. will go look now though. Wonder if Racheltjie has read it yet 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 61) : I have.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 61) : But won’t comment. No point.
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 63) :
😆
@robdylan (Comment 53) :
The Aussie and NZ have the Super 14 plus the PI competition….
@robdylan (Comment 58) : So far that threads seems a bit of a non event. Would have thought all hell would’ve broken loose by now. You can drag politics, religion, sexuality etc all into one thread. What tabloid dreams are made of. Maybe Pretoria internet is down. 👿
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 66) : I didn’t even read the comments… was too scared to 😉
@Dive Pass (Comment 65) :
In addition it would appear the Bok coach doesn’t see all the players he wants to see in the Super 14, so this is an opportunity to see if the Super 14 coaches didn’t perhaps miss a talent or 3….
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 66) :
Simon did warn everyone before hand though. 😉 I must say what is the use of putting such an article out there and then not allowing the “fight”
I DID like the Naas Botha Joke though. 😆 Naas would never be gay, when he sees balls he kicks them. 🙂
@Dive Pass (Comment 68) : did you miss the smiley? 😉
@robdylan (Comment 70) :
Many an attempted true word, attempted to be said in jest 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 69) : 😆
If I remember correctly it is the Sharks webbie’s birthday today. Happy Birthday Michael.
It is also Nita’s birthday today. Happy Birthday Nita!
Ireland v Barbarians. Tonight 19h45 (UK Time) 😎
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 74) :
Check the new thread. How’s THAT for timing 😀
@KSA Shark © (Comment 75) : I must be psychic. 😉
😀
@Nessa (Comment 73) : it IS Mike’s birthday. Thanks for reminding me
@robdylan (Comment 78) :
It’s a pleasure.