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Cape Town - As reported ahead of Vodacom Super 14 semi-finals last weekend, a letter from the Crusaders Academy has been circulated to schools in SA containing detailed information about a “nationwide talent identification programme”, with the first step in this process being “an all-expenses-paid training camp” for 60 under-16 players in Pretoria from July 5-10.
Players for the camp are expected to be recruited from Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban, with Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder and several former Crusaders Test players expected to attend the invitation-only camp.
Players would be enticed with long-term scholarship opportunities, whereafter they would graduate into the Crusaders wider training squad, with an eye on representing the New Zealand franchise in the Super 14 and ultimately the All Blacks after that.
Chief executive Hamish Riach has hotly denied allegations the Crusaders are attempting to poach South Africa's rising rugby stars, but Sport24 was sent a copy of the exact letter that was sent out to schools and academies, and it would seem impossible to describe it as anything but a poaching mission.
CLICK HERE to download the letter.
The South African Rugby Union has taken enormous umbrage, and confirmed that it has approached the New Zealand Rugby Union on an official level to complain about the “horrifying” Crusaders conduct in trying to bolster their youth ranks with South African talent.
SARU said they would also inform the Minister of Sport, Makhenkesi Stofile and the chairman of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Butana Khompela about the situation and hoped to resolve it amicably. If not, SARU would formally ask SANZAR to intervene.
Worth noting, though, is that in the comments posted on the Sport24 story last week, it became apparent that not all South Africans were against the concept, many wanting to give South Africans the choice to do with their lives, and rugby careers, what they want.
And when asked to vote on the subject on a current Sport24 vote, which has seen more than 2 100 votes cast, the results are currently as follows:
Players for the camp are expected to be recruited from Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban, with Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder and several former Crusaders Test players expected to attend the invitation-only camp.
Players would be enticed with long-term scholarship opportunities, whereafter they would graduate into the Crusaders wider training squad, with an eye on representing the New Zealand franchise in the Super 14 and ultimately the All Blacks after that.
Chief executive Hamish Riach has hotly denied allegations the Crusaders are attempting to poach South Africa's rising rugby stars, but Sport24 was sent a copy of the exact letter that was sent out to schools and academies, and it would seem impossible to describe it as anything but a poaching mission.
CLICK HERE to download the letter.
The South African Rugby Union has taken enormous umbrage, and confirmed that it has approached the New Zealand Rugby Union on an official level to complain about the “horrifying” Crusaders conduct in trying to bolster their youth ranks with South African talent.
SARU said they would also inform the Minister of Sport, Makhenkesi Stofile and the chairman of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Butana Khompela about the situation and hoped to resolve it amicably. If not, SARU would formally ask SANZAR to intervene.
Worth noting, though, is that in the comments posted on the Sport24 story last week, it became apparent that not all South Africans were against the concept, many wanting to give South Africans the choice to do with their lives, and rugby careers, what they want.
And when asked to vote on the subject on a current Sport24 vote, which has seen more than 2 100 votes cast, the results are currently as follows:
- 20 % were dead against it. At 16 it's too early to know for sure a player wouldn't make it to the top in SA
- 27 % thought it to be a tough call. First prize would be to represent the Boks, but if opportunity knocks, it should be investigated further
- 53 % said politics plays far too big a role in SA sport. I'd encourage any player in any sport to explore overseas option
