Jake White: ‘Bafana Bafana lesson’ for Springboks

Jake White, director of rugby for the Vodacom Bulls, is sceptical that an equity deal with Ackerley Sports Group (ASG) will automatically draw overseas-based South African rugby stars back to the country.

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While acknowledging the potential benefits of an injection of capital, Jake White stresses that changes in national team selection policy are crucial to bolstering the Springboks.

Jake White: Overseas Stars Need Policy Incentive

SA Rugby recently outlined the status of negotiations with ASG, but Jake White insists that financial improvements alone won’t bring top players like Handre Pollard and Cheslin Kolbe back to South Africa.

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“From your lips to God’s ears, I’m not sure that, even if we have all the money in the world, it’s going to mean the top players come back in droves,” said White.

Jake White Calls for National Team Policy Change

To strengthen domestic rugby, Jake White believes Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus must introduce a policy limiting the number of overseas-based players eligible for the national team. This move, he argues, is vital for the Springboks to regain their dominance.

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“It has to be a policy,” White insists. “Money [locally] isn’t going to change that.”

Lessons from Bafana Bafana

White highlights the experience of South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, who often face players from top European leagues in international matches.

This underscores the competitive advantage enjoyed by countries who have their star athletes playing domestically.

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Though Jake White sees some benefit from the potential ASG deal: “If we get this massive equity deal, hopefully it means that someone will make a decision that, given there’s no longer need to moan about money anymore, we can bring our best players back to SA.”

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