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Cape Town - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has admitted that an International Rugby Board (IRB) rule regarding retired players was the main reason which prevented him from picking Victor Matfield for the upcoming England series.
A rule from the IRB states that a retired player announcing his return to the game may not play international rugby for six months after announcing his comeback.
The rule is in place to prevent players who have used banned substances from suddenly retiring to "buy" time to get the substance out of their system and then suddenly announce their return to the playing arena.
And according to Beeld, Meyer admitted that was the main reason why he was unable to pick Matfield for the England series in June.
Meyer earlier this week confirmed to BBC Radio 5 that he'll take on the Springbok task without Matfield as a player.
However, it seems a mere formality that the 35-year-old 110-Test veteran will be appointed as a lineout consultant to the Springboks.
The first Test against England starts in Durban on June 9, followed by Tests in Johannesburg (June 16) and Port Elizabeth (June 23).
A rule from the IRB states that a retired player announcing his return to the game may not play international rugby for six months after announcing his comeback.
The rule is in place to prevent players who have used banned substances from suddenly retiring to "buy" time to get the substance out of their system and then suddenly announce their return to the playing arena.
And according to Beeld, Meyer admitted that was the main reason why he was unable to pick Matfield for the England series in June.
Meyer earlier this week confirmed to BBC Radio 5 that he'll take on the Springbok task without Matfield as a player.
However, it seems a mere formality that the 35-year-old 110-Test veteran will be appointed as a lineout consultant to the Springboks.
The first Test against England starts in Durban on June 9, followed by Tests in Johannesburg (June 16) and Port Elizabeth (June 23).
