OMEN
09-08-2010, 11:31 PM
Johannesburg - In another apparent shambles in Springbok rugby the reported unity between the Springbok management and players during the difficult Tri-Nations competition is now under strain following accusations of a breach of an undertaking to the players earlier in the year.
The players have united against the South African Rugby Union's (SARU) decision to withdraw all the contracted Springboks from the Absa Currie Cup competition - and the SA Rugby Players Association (SARPA) claim promises made to players "were not honoured" and intimated that the SARU decision was political, suiting provinces and not necessarily the national team.
They will only be allowed to return on the weekend of October 6, and will play the semifinals and final on October 14 and 30 respectively.
The players, through their various unions, have objected to the so-called "conditioning programme" they have to follow individually - and SARPA have called on SARU to reconsider the decision they made on Tuesday.
"No Springbok player, nor SARPA, were consulted or asked for input regarding this decision," said SARPA chief executive Piet Heymans.
"We have received complaints from our members, who are unhappy because they were told at the beginning of the year their conditioning and rest programmes would be monitored on an individual basis.
"They were promised that those needing rest would be afforded such time and those needing game time would be given the opportunity. This has not happened and the opposite could now be true."
The result is that some players who are in need of game time - like Bakkies Botha, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira, JP Pietersen, Adi Jacobs, Wynand Olivier and Ricky Januarie - are now rested and have to train on their own.
Non-contracted players who are in need of rest, like Gurthro Steenkamp who has played virtually non-stop in the Super 14 and 10 Tests this year, are now free to play and could be forced by their provinces to play against their will.
"To have a number of top Springboks who are either returning from injury or suspension to be banned from finding their form again on the rugby field is certainly not in the best interests of South African rugby as a whole," Heymans said.
"We are calling on SARU and the provinces to honour the undertaking made to the players and use scientific data and research, rather than emotion, to ensure the Springbok players are all on the best individual conditioning, rest and playing programmes that will benefit the national team leading up to the Rugby World Cup next year."
SAPA
The players have united against the South African Rugby Union's (SARU) decision to withdraw all the contracted Springboks from the Absa Currie Cup competition - and the SA Rugby Players Association (SARPA) claim promises made to players "were not honoured" and intimated that the SARU decision was political, suiting provinces and not necessarily the national team.
They will only be allowed to return on the weekend of October 6, and will play the semifinals and final on October 14 and 30 respectively.
The players, through their various unions, have objected to the so-called "conditioning programme" they have to follow individually - and SARPA have called on SARU to reconsider the decision they made on Tuesday.
"No Springbok player, nor SARPA, were consulted or asked for input regarding this decision," said SARPA chief executive Piet Heymans.
"We have received complaints from our members, who are unhappy because they were told at the beginning of the year their conditioning and rest programmes would be monitored on an individual basis.
"They were promised that those needing rest would be afforded such time and those needing game time would be given the opportunity. This has not happened and the opposite could now be true."
The result is that some players who are in need of game time - like Bakkies Botha, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira, JP Pietersen, Adi Jacobs, Wynand Olivier and Ricky Januarie - are now rested and have to train on their own.
Non-contracted players who are in need of rest, like Gurthro Steenkamp who has played virtually non-stop in the Super 14 and 10 Tests this year, are now free to play and could be forced by their provinces to play against their will.
"To have a number of top Springboks who are either returning from injury or suspension to be banned from finding their form again on the rugby field is certainly not in the best interests of South African rugby as a whole," Heymans said.
"We are calling on SARU and the provinces to honour the undertaking made to the players and use scientific data and research, rather than emotion, to ensure the Springbok players are all on the best individual conditioning, rest and playing programmes that will benefit the national team leading up to the Rugby World Cup next year."
SAPA