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London - Saracens’ director of coaching Brendan Venter was asked to leave Springbok practice at Old Albanians training ground on Monday in an incident that raised tensions before Tuesday's match against the English club side.
The Springboks meet Saracens at Wembley on Tuesday night where they are desperate for a win after losing to Leicester and France so far on tour.
The Bok coaching staff were rightly upset that Venter was at the side of the field, despite the close working relationship between the club and tourists.
On Sunday night Springbok and Saracens players enjoyed a meal and drinks together but on Monday it was business as usual and the sight of Venter worried the team management.
Media manager Anthony Mackaiser was dispatched to ask Venter to leave, which lead to a terse exchange between the two.
Venter argued that the he was at his home ground, at his place of work and that the Boks weren’t “running any moves anyway and that it was the Test team and not the dirt-trackers.”
Perhaps they weren’t, but possibly they were holding back because of his presence.
Venter described the match between the sides as: “purely a marketing exercise but it’s good for the club because it recognises another need we need to fulfil.
“It’s not 100 per cent ideal to play during the week but it is a chance to introduce ourselves to the South African rugby market in London.”
Venter confirmed that nine South Africans would start against the Springboks.
Hooker Etienne Reynecke, lock Mauritz Botha, flanks Justin Melck and Wikus van Heerden (captain) and No 8 Ernst Joubert are among the forwards.
In the backline there are four SA players: scrumhalf Neil de Kock, flyhalf Derick Hougaard, centre Brad Barrit and fullback Michael Horak. Hooker Schalk Brits will be on the bench.
The Springboks meet Saracens at Wembley on Tuesday night where they are desperate for a win after losing to Leicester and France so far on tour.
The Bok coaching staff were rightly upset that Venter was at the side of the field, despite the close working relationship between the club and tourists.
On Sunday night Springbok and Saracens players enjoyed a meal and drinks together but on Monday it was business as usual and the sight of Venter worried the team management.
Media manager Anthony Mackaiser was dispatched to ask Venter to leave, which lead to a terse exchange between the two.
Venter argued that the he was at his home ground, at his place of work and that the Boks weren’t “running any moves anyway and that it was the Test team and not the dirt-trackers.”
Perhaps they weren’t, but possibly they were holding back because of his presence.
Venter described the match between the sides as: “purely a marketing exercise but it’s good for the club because it recognises another need we need to fulfil.
“It’s not 100 per cent ideal to play during the week but it is a chance to introduce ourselves to the South African rugby market in London.”
Venter confirmed that nine South Africans would start against the Springboks.
Hooker Etienne Reynecke, lock Mauritz Botha, flanks Justin Melck and Wikus van Heerden (captain) and No 8 Ernst Joubert are among the forwards.
In the backline there are four SA players: scrumhalf Neil de Kock, flyhalf Derick Hougaard, centre Brad Barrit and fullback Michael Horak. Hooker Schalk Brits will be on the bench.
