It may be for the money or lack of oppertunities, but South Africa is loosing not only young rugby players, but experienced veterens of the game at the speed of light.
Fourie du Preez is a great example of a talented, well rounded rugby player who represented his country and provincial sides with distinction. He has won everything from numerous Currie cup's, Super 14 titles, Tri-Nations and not to mention the World Cup.
Suddenly after our not so succesul 2011 World Cup campaign, he decides to take up a lucrative offer to play in Japan knowing that his career would soon come to an end.
Did his descision impact the Springbok side hugely?
YES, I believe it did!!! No one has really grabbed the oppertunity to establish himself as the best no. 9 in the country and maybe the world, because I believe du Preez was/is the best scrum half SA has ever had with Joost coming in a close second.
Nothing against Francois Hougaard, Ruan Pienaar, Dewaldt Duvenhage or whoever you prescribe to don the bok jersey, because they are awesome rugby players themselves, but lately we lack direction on attack which du Preez was central to aswell as comunication on defense.
Fourie is not the only player leaving a gaping hole for I can mention the names of Jaque Fourie, Francios Louw, Joe van Niekerk just to name a few and fringe players like Schalk Brits and Ernts Joubert. There are hundreds of young SA players plying their trade abroad because of the lack of oppertunities in this country and it is really sad.
I really hope Hougie has a huge game on Saturday against the Argies and starts to put his signature on the 9 jersey for the future.
An I truly hope SARU derives some system in keeping our talent at home!!!!
Awesome first article mate.
ReplyDeleteAlthough i am not the biggest of rugby fans i do feel that we are loosing to many players to great deals overseas and it is going to create a huge problem in a year or say at the rate that players are leaving.
Looking forward to the next one!
Great article bud. This is a touchy subject with me because I am also upset by the number of players we are losing. I think it is more than just money. I believe it is also due to political reasons. But let's not go there right now....
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