Mass exodus of Springboks after RWC

Writer: Tony O'Hagan.

As expected, many Springbok rugby players have signed contracts with big-spending overseas clubs in Europe and Japan. Winning the World Cup has made ‘our boys’ more attractive targets for these clubs.

Including the two replacements, Thomas du Toit (Nyakane) and Damian Willemse (Kriel) there were 33 members of the Springbok squad at the 2019 RWC. As it stands at the moment, only 13 will continue playing for franchises in South Africa. This number could dwindle even further in the next few months as players are lured by the euro, pound and yen.

Financial wellbeing is the prime motive for the majority of these ‘exports’ as they seek to secure a more stable future. Furthermore, the financial losses suffered by the South African Rugby Union due to COVID-19 necessitated drastic cost-cutting measures.

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