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Cape Town - The attraction for South African players to go and play their rugby overseas is wearing off.
That is the view of South African Rugby Players’ Association (SARPA) chief executive Piet Heymans.
“It appears as if foreign clubs are also experiencing financial pressure. France are increasingly putting regulations in place to limit the number of overseas players. One of the other factors is the salary cap in England that has not increased significantly. The money available to lure players is getting less,” said Heymans.
“One of the main reasons we believe it’s less attractive (to play overseas) is the new commercial model between SARPA and the South African Rugby Union (SARU). It gives players (Springboks) an additional income when they are used for appearances or in advertisements.
“It is about their collective image rights. In many instances it wipes out the differences between what a player can earn overseas and in South Africa. It is additional income that was not there before.”
Even the Springboks that are less marketable and therefore not used for a significant number of appearances earn money from the agreement.
“The guys that make the most appearances also earn the most, but there is a percentage that goes to the rest of the players because everybody contributes to the team’s success,” said Heymans.
One of South Africa’s leading agents, Chris de Beer, said that the exchange rate also played a role in players’ decisions.
“The strong rand is a factor. The salaries that top unions pay in South Africa now also compares favourably with what clubs offer overseas,” said De Beer.
Heymans said that some that some players would still go overseas for the experience.
Cape Town - The attraction for South African players to go and play their rugby overseas is wearing off.
That is the view of South African Rugby Players’ Association (SARPA) chief executive Piet Heymans.
“It appears as if foreign clubs are also experiencing financial pressure. France are increasingly putting regulations in place to limit the number of overseas players. One of the other factors is the salary cap in England that has not increased significantly. The money available to lure players is getting less,” said Heymans.
“One of the main reasons we believe it’s less attractive (to play overseas) is the new commercial model between SARPA and the South African Rugby Union (SARU). It gives players (Springboks) an additional income when they are used for appearances or in advertisements.
“It is about their collective image rights. In many instances it wipes out the differences between what a player can earn overseas and in South Africa. It is additional income that was not there before.”
Even the Springboks that are less marketable and therefore not used for a significant number of appearances earn money from the agreement.
“The guys that make the most appearances also earn the most, but there is a percentage that goes to the rest of the players because everybody contributes to the team’s success,” said Heymans.
One of South Africa’s leading agents, Chris de Beer, said that the exchange rate also played a role in players’ decisions.
“The strong rand is a factor. The salaries that top unions pay in South Africa now also compares favourably with what clubs offer overseas,” said De Beer.
Heymans said that some that some players would still go overseas for the experience.
