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Stephen Nell
Cape Town – Black rugby players should be brought into teams systematically and not be rushed.
That is the view of former Springbok wing Breyton Paulse, whose 26 tries in 64 Tests still places him as the fourth leading Test try-scorer in the history of South African rugby.
“It’s not good when things are forced. Quotas are out as far as I’m concerned. We have progressed well beyond that point. Coaches should create opportunities for players that show potential,” said Paulse.
“As a player of colour you already have to deal with a lot of pressure. I had the experience at Western Province in 1996 when I suddenly had to play against a Transvaal side full of World Cup Springboks. Guys like Pieter Hendriks and Japie Mulder ran circles around me.”
Paulse was chatting to Sport24 in a discussion about some of the promising players of colour that had put up their hands on the wing over the past season.
He praised the likes of Lwazi Mvovo, Bjorn Basson and Gio Aplon, saying that they had all marked themselves as contenders to tour Britain and Ireland with the Springboks in November.
“Many of the players of colour, especially those that come from the country areas, come with an inferiority complex. That is already not a good start. They should take the initiative and use their chances,” he said.
Paulse lauded the talent across racial lines and believes Blue Bulls wing Gerhard van den Heever should also be a tour contender.
While the decision is yet to be confirmed, the expectation is that a number of senior players will be rested for the tour at the end of the year.
This could give the Bok selectors the chance to give the likes of Basson, Aplon and Mvovo regular game time.
Cape Town – Black rugby players should be brought into teams systematically and not be rushed.
That is the view of former Springbok wing Breyton Paulse, whose 26 tries in 64 Tests still places him as the fourth leading Test try-scorer in the history of South African rugby.
“It’s not good when things are forced. Quotas are out as far as I’m concerned. We have progressed well beyond that point. Coaches should create opportunities for players that show potential,” said Paulse.
“As a player of colour you already have to deal with a lot of pressure. I had the experience at Western Province in 1996 when I suddenly had to play against a Transvaal side full of World Cup Springboks. Guys like Pieter Hendriks and Japie Mulder ran circles around me.”
Paulse was chatting to Sport24 in a discussion about some of the promising players of colour that had put up their hands on the wing over the past season.
He praised the likes of Lwazi Mvovo, Bjorn Basson and Gio Aplon, saying that they had all marked themselves as contenders to tour Britain and Ireland with the Springboks in November.
“Many of the players of colour, especially those that come from the country areas, come with an inferiority complex. That is already not a good start. They should take the initiative and use their chances,” he said.
Paulse lauded the talent across racial lines and believes Blue Bulls wing Gerhard van den Heever should also be a tour contender.
While the decision is yet to be confirmed, the expectation is that a number of senior players will be rested for the tour at the end of the year.
This could give the Bok selectors the chance to give the likes of Basson, Aplon and Mvovo regular game time.
