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Cape Town - Sport24 readers believe that the Springboks must continue with their policy of picking overseas-based players if they wish to be successful.
The growing exodus of Springbok players leaving for overseas clubs - including JP Pietersen, Bryan Habana, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Morne Steyn, Zane Kirchner, Jano Vermaak, Andries Bekker and Juandre Kruger - and the selection of existing overseas-based players such as Gurthro Steenkamp, Francois Louw Ruan Pienaar and Fourie du Preez, has again raised the question of whether or not players should be picked if they choose to ply their trade abroad.
Most Sport24 readers believe coaches in the professional era should look beyond their borders, much in the way football has evolved over the years.
But there is also a growing concern that "encouraging" Springbok players to leave the country will weaken the development of domestic rugby, which has prompted SARU to consider putting a quota on the number of overseas players allowed in the Springbok team.
This follows after Heyneke Meyer picked 10 overseas players in his 30-man squad for the Boks' home leg in the upcoming Rugby Championship.
Last year, Meyer admitted he was “tentative” at first over the engagement of overseas-based players to bolster his plans, but that the success story of flank Francois Louw had altered his thinking.
In our online poll almost two-thirds of readers agreed with Meyer's decision to pick overseas Boks.
Sport24 asked:
"Should the Springboks consider overseas-based players for selection?"
These were the results:
66% - Yes
34% - No
Of Heyneke Meyer's first 32-man Springbok squad chosen prior to his first Test against England in 2012, 10 will be playing overseas next year, (His first squad had only 1, Ruan Pienaar). (Gallo Images)
Should SARU limit the amount of overseas-based players allowed in the Springbok team? Send your thoughts to Sport24 to get published!
The growing exodus of Springbok players leaving for overseas clubs - including JP Pietersen, Bryan Habana, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Morne Steyn, Zane Kirchner, Jano Vermaak, Andries Bekker and Juandre Kruger - and the selection of existing overseas-based players such as Gurthro Steenkamp, Francois Louw Ruan Pienaar and Fourie du Preez, has again raised the question of whether or not players should be picked if they choose to ply their trade abroad.
Most Sport24 readers believe coaches in the professional era should look beyond their borders, much in the way football has evolved over the years.
But there is also a growing concern that "encouraging" Springbok players to leave the country will weaken the development of domestic rugby, which has prompted SARU to consider putting a quota on the number of overseas players allowed in the Springbok team.
This follows after Heyneke Meyer picked 10 overseas players in his 30-man squad for the Boks' home leg in the upcoming Rugby Championship.
Last year, Meyer admitted he was “tentative” at first over the engagement of overseas-based players to bolster his plans, but that the success story of flank Francois Louw had altered his thinking.
In our online poll almost two-thirds of readers agreed with Meyer's decision to pick overseas Boks.
Sport24 asked:
"Should the Springboks consider overseas-based players for selection?"
These were the results:
66% - Yes
34% - No
Of Heyneke Meyer's first 32-man Springbok squad chosen prior to his first Test against England in 2012, 10 will be playing overseas next year, (His first squad had only 1, Ruan Pienaar). (Gallo Images)
Should SARU limit the amount of overseas-based players allowed in the Springbok team? Send your thoughts to Sport24 to get published!
