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De Villiers not worried by extra Test

Peter de Villiers has taken the news that his South Africa side will have to play an extra Test match during 2010 in his stride, saying it will afford him the opportunity to broaden his player base ahead of next year's World Cup.

Sunday, 07 March 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Peter de Villiers has taken the news that his South Africa side will have to play an extra Test match during 2010 in his stride, saying it will afford him the opportunity to broaden his player base ahead of next year's World Cup.

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) announced earlier this week that it had agreed a deal to face Wales on June 5 to mark the 10th anniversary to the opening of the Millennium Stadium.

The summer clash in Cardiff, which comes only a week after the conclusion of the gruelling southern hemisphere Super 14 season, now takes the Springboks' Test count for the year to 14.

They will face France a week later in Cape Town, before back-to-back Tests against Italy, the Tri Nations and their end-of-year tour to the United Kingdom.

De Villiers' employers have already come in for criticism from some quarters, especially as the latest fixture now increases the workload of the world champion in the build-up to the defence of their title.

But the coach has defended SARU, admitting it had already made a commitment to the Wales Rugby Union (WRU).

He said: "At the time that we agreed to play the Welsh Test we were considering playing our Test against France in the United Kingdom because of a clash with the soccer World Cup in South Africa during the month of June.

"However, after SARU and the FIFA 2010 local organising committee agreed that we could indeed play the French Test in Cape Town we could not go back on our commitment to Wales."

On Friday, the South African Rugby Players' Association (Sarpa) boss, Piet Heymans, revealed his concerns, admitting that several regular Springboks 'won't be considered' for the Test depending on their Super 14 involvement.

However, De Villiers moved quickly to reiterate that Wales will not be playing an under-strength side.

He continued: "In no way will it be considered a weakened or second-string team."

Instead he revealed that South Africans playing overseas will be considered for selection - an unusual move from SARU, which has a strict policy not to pick players plying their trade abroad.

"The situation has, however, created an opportunity for us to look at some South African players who are playing in Europe and could figure in our World Cup plans for next year," he said.

"There are a number of Springboks in the UK, Ireland and France who have been in good form and could have something to offer.

"I have to discuss the matter in detail with the selectors, SARU, senior players, my support staff and other stakeholders but the plan is to select a squad combining a strong core of the current squad with overseas-based Boks who we believe could offer something.

"Whilst I maintain that I will usually pick players playing in South Africa ahead of foreign-based players, I see the Welsh Test as an exceptional circumstance.

"There are experienced Springboks based in Europe who could figure in our 2011 planning and it would be unwise on my part to pass up the opportunity to look at them against strong opposition."

Some of those that could feature include BJ Botha, CJ van der Linde, Wikus van Heerden, Butch James, Jean de Villiers and Frans Steyn.

De Villiers also revealed that he had already discussed a player management policy with the local unions ahead of next year's finals in New Zealand.

He added: "We have obligations to Sanzar and the IRB in terms of our Test programme and we have to balance these responsibilities with effective player management, which is achieved through the collaboration and support of stakeholders, including the provinces, coaches, and sponsors.

"I had a series of very positive meetings with the provinces regarding the issue of player welfare and management.

"The provinces are more than willing to play their part in assisting us. They came up with some good ideas about how to optimise players whilst taking care of their welfare.

"They also agree that the defined period of player conditioning is needed if we are to ensure that players are ready for 2011."

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