Vodacom Super 14
Venter: I'm not poaching Boks
2009-03-02 08:32
Email | Print
London - New Saracens Director of Rugby Brendan Venter has broken his silence and has denied he is trying to poach South African players to join him at the English club, claiming rather that he wants to “create a rugby home for South Africans” at the club.
Venter told Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag this week that he didn’t want to get into a mudfight over players in the media.
The former Springbok centre was accused of poaching players after it was reported that he was to cull up to 15 players from the club and replace them with South Africans.
“I only took the work, as Director of Rugby because I see it as a challenge to create a team that will be supported by South Africans abroad. There is so much young South African rugby talent in England at the moment and I believe we can create a team which they can identify with and I hope to make Saracens that team,” Venter told Sondag in an exclusive interview.
Venter wouldn’t elaborate about Saracens problems but said the team needs a winning mentality right now.
“To do well you need a winning mentality and I think South Africans have that mentality,” Venter added, “It won't be right for me to say what is wrong at Saracens. They are currently eighth in the league and have no trophies in their cabinet. I first want to get there and make my own decisions on which way to go.”
Venter also ruled out any South Africans getting preferential treatment at the club.
“Each player will be chosen on his talents and not because he is a South African,” Venter added.
According to the newspaper, Springboks Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers and Schalk Brits have been approached. De Villiers and Burger turned down the advances.
Other players to have been approached include Lions hooker Ethienne Reynecke and lock Anton van Zyl as well as Lions captain Ernst Joubert. Sharks player Frik Venter has apparently already accepted an offer to turn out for the club.