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According to the supersport.com website, Drotské was speaking of his pride at the number of Cheetah Springboks this year, and said that the union had succeeded in transforming a stigma that Bloemfontein wasn’t the place to be if you had national aspirations.
After the Cheetahs had a superb Super Rugby season, no less than six players were announced in the Springbok squad recently, while there are a number of others that are close to selection and will knock on the selection door over the next few years.
Drotské said the perception of Cheetah rugby had changed and he believed it could only benefit players to ply their trade in Bloemfontein.
"Especially after Super Rugby a lot of younger players realised they can play for the Cheetahs and still become Springboks.
"There was this feeling among rugby players that it is much more difficult for rugby players to become a Springbok if you’re playing in Bloemfontein or Kimberley," he said.
"I think this year at one stage we had eight players in the group when Robert Ebersohn was there.
"Johan Goosen would probably have been there if he wasn’t injured and Raymond Rhule came close.
"We’re really proud of the fact that when the team plays well, we can produce depth for South Africa and also players who can start."
Drotské said that Strauss was destined to become the next Springbok captain, something that would be a proud moment for the Cheetahs.
"I think Adriaan Strauss was brilliant on Saturday, he is a very good leader and is in my opinion one of the guys who will one day lead the Springboks.
"That will be a very proud day to have a Cheetah guy doing that job."
The Cheetahs face the Sharks in their next Currie Cup game this weekend.
