SA Rugby Talks Stall Over Springboks‘ Release as URC Teams’ Demands Revealed
negotiations between SA Rugby and United Rugby Championship (URC) clubs have reportedly stalled regarding the release of Springbok players for upcoming Test matches against Japan and Wales. While Springbok players contracted to Japanese clubs will be available for both fixtures, despite them falling outside the official international window, a significant number of URC-based players face potential unavailability.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber intends to use the match against Japan, at Wembley Stadium next week, to provide playing time for Japan-based players returning from a break since the Rugby Championship and to facilitate the return of injured players to Test rugby.
However, Wales are set to be without 12 players based outside of Wales, as their clubs are not releasing them for the Springboks clash. These include Rhys Carre, Archie Griffin, Dafydd Jenkins, Nicky Smith, Freddie Thomas, jarrod Evans, Louie Hennessey, Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins and Tomos Williams.Wales head coach Steve Tandy indicated the match presents an chance for uncapped players, stating, “It’s a blank canvas. It doesn’t matter what age you are, it’s a blank canvas on selection.”
Conversely, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Boan Venter and Thomas du Toit will be unavailable for the Springboks’ match against wales.