Packing a tog bag for Perth

Against a backdrop of the Luke Watson saga plus SA Rugby yet again being called to grovel on the carpets of parliament a serious new threat to the Springboks is shaping up in Australia.

Australia’s four Super 14 franchises, the Waratahs, Brumbies, Reds and Western Force, have approached the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) to allow the recruitment of foreign players for next season.

Until now the ARU has had a rule in place that only players eligible to play for the Wallabies could be included in their teams but the formation of the Force, which caused that country’s talent to be spread too thinly, plus the fact that the Reds and the Waratahs finished last, no Aussie side reach the playoffs and a big drop-off in crowds in this year’s Super 14 has forced a change of heart.

The introduction of foreign players, which was tabled at a recent meeting of the chief executives of NSW, Queensland, ACT and Western Australia, could have serious implications for Springbok rugby if carried through because South African players would be prime targets.

South Africa’s depth has long been the envy of Australian coaches and the realities of local rugby plus the inference of political conniving in the selection of Watson could make disaffected South African players ripe for the picking when the Aussie agents come trawling.

There is already concern about the steady stream of South African players heading for Britain (mainly), France and Italy but Australia will be a far more attractive proposition (especially Perth which is a relatively short flight away) to a local player who has doubts about his future.

You can be sure younger players who are not yet country-tied will be approached to take the route of Dan Vickerman and Clyde Rathbone with the promise of an international career with the Wallabies while some top-class Springboks (say Wikus van Heerden or Pedrie Wannenburg) might decide a lucrative, relaxed and safe life away from the inequities and trouble and strife of SA Rugby makes better sense – especially in a country with similar weather and norms.

The proposal to waive the rule has not yet been put before the board of the ARU, but SA Rugby, with the hyenas already circling almost all the senior Springboks and ready to pounce after the World Cup, better be keeping a close watch on developments down under.

Australia’s biggest problem is in the tight forwards so South Africa’s many excellent young props and locks (Jannie du Plessis, Rayno Gerber, Wian du Preez, Heinke van der Merwe, Francois van Schouwenburg, Ross Skeate to name but a few) are certain to be on the “shopping lists”.

It is worth noting that the current “Emerging Boks” tour to Europe will not disqualify a South African player in regard to eligibility to play for Australia so those players who have not played in a full international will be exactly the kind of long-term investment Australian sides will be looking for.

In fact, with Jake White having established the precedent of bringing the like of Percy Montgomery, Jaco van der Westhuyzen and Bob Skinstad back from the erstwhile wilderness of overseas rugby, it might well be that younger players (i.e. those who could make the next World Cup in 2011) might find Australia an attractive proposition and take their chances on continued Springbok selection.