Springboks’ Wales Test reignites club vs country row as SA franchises push back

The club-versus-country debate in rugby has been thrust to the fore once more, with the Springboks’ clash against Wales in Cardiff on November 29 coinciding with key United Rugby Championship (URC) fixtures for the four South African franchises on the same day.

Talks over player compensation are ongoing, as the Test falls outside the official international window.

The Bulls and Lions are set to meet at Loftus Versfeld on November 29, while the Stormers and Sharks will both be in Ireland for matches against Munster and Connacht, respectively.

According to reports, SA Rugby has offered R250 000 per player for the fixture, but the franchises argue that the proposed fee is insufficient. Negotiations are said to have begun with the franchises requesting around R500 000 per player, although they apparently have no intention of withholding their players from Springbok selection.

Springbok call-ups have often stripped the Sharks of the core of their squad, and the Durban franchise has also struggled at times to reintegrate their returning internationals at the end of Test campaigns. However, they have not been as heavily affected during this particular window.

There are currently four Sharks backs and two forwards in the main touring squad (following the injury to prop Ox Nché), while a further four Sharks players are part of the standby group.

Head coach John Plumtree had expressed hope that he would be able to use some of the Springboks not involved in the final Test of the Outbound Tour.

“We’ll be playing Connacht next, and obviously the Boks will still be in Ireland, so we can use players there,” Plumtree said after their 31–17 win over the Scarlets at Kings Park on October 25 — their first of a stuttering URC season.

“There are going to be some challenges when we finish our November break. I’ll use Springboks if they are allowed to rest. They are up north for a long time, and this period is difficult — it’s windy, cold, wet, and there’s a lot of hotel time. So we just have to see how each individual copes with the time away from home.”