Managing the workload of the top Springboks at the Stormers will be a “tough one”, says Allister Coetzee, but he is still awaiting greater clarity from Saru on the situation despite having drawn up plans already.
The South African Rugby Union announced yesterday that an agreement had been reached between the organisation and the five Super Rugby franchises with regards to ensuring that the Boks are not overused during the tournament so that they can still be in good physical shape for the Rugby World Cup in September.
Some of the guidelines include the fact that none of the key Boks, who include Duane Vermeulen and Eben Etzebeth at the Stormers, would play for more than five consecutive weeks. And byes are not included, while players don't need to be rested during the playoffs.
But Coetzee said yesterday that each individual case is different, and that he would seeking assurances from Saru in that regard. A player in such a situation is Eben Etzebeth, who is set to miss the first two Super Rugby games against the Bulls and Blues, and is likely to be back for the third against the Lions.
“If you look at a player like Duane, who plays most of the time, it could be between three or four games (out) for the duration of Super Rugby. Someone like Eben Etzebeth hasn't played a lot, so he could be two or three games, Frans Malherbe may be two or less as he hasn't played at all,” the coach said.
“It's going to be a tough one, but that is where the planning comes in, irrespective of your situation. And I don't know how long they want me to rest Nizaam as well, so I've got to plan around that so we don't sit without three Springboks in a game if we are still in the running.” - Cape Times