The likes of Springbok No 8 Jasper Wiese and master SA strategist Franco Smith are brilliantly showcasing the country’s sparkling talent abroad, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Wiese was recently crowned the Premiership Players’ Player of the Year at the Rugby Players Association awards, after his blockbuster performances for the Leicester Tigers.
Moreover, Smith has achieved remarkable success in his first stint with the Glasgow Warriors, demonstrating South African coaches’ prowess on an international level.
The domestic game, too, is thriving, evident from the sold-out Vodacom URC final, and in his TimesLIVE column, Keohane suggests that SA rugby has never been healthier.
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“Wiese isn’t the only South African doing wonders in the Premiership. Sale Sharks have for the past few years leaned heavily on the South African influence and on occasion there have been as many as 10 South Africans in the match 23,” he writes.
“South African players are sought after in France, England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and especially Japan. It is the work ethic, aligned to the playing skills and raw power of our South African players that is such a seduction to overseas club owners and when watching a final, be it the Champions Cup, Challenge Cup, Top 14, Premiership and League One, know there will be South African players excelling.
“Many of them are in the current Springboks setup but some of the biggest performances overseas have come from players not yet capped internationally or capped, but not regulars in the Erasmus/Nienaber era. SA coaches are also thriving overseas.
“At a time when there is so much darkness in South Africa, given the load shedding, it is rugby and South African rugby players that have brought the light to our weekends.”
Photo: @LeicesterTigers/Twitter