VIDEO: 'Steven Kitshoff will go with our blessings'
An apoplectic Stormers coach John Dobson has hit out at cash-flush European teams that continue to raid South African franchises, that focus on developing their own talent.
Fronting up to the media on Thursday – ahead of their United Rugby Championship Round Five encounter with Ospreys in Swansea on Friday – Dobson was bombarded with questions about approaches to his top players.
World Cup-winning Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff has been linked to a move to the Irish province Ulster, who has not denied they are courting the 62-times capped front row forward.
“Negotiations are at an advanced phase with a player that is a proven winner on the biggest stage,” Ulster said in a recent statement – without naming Kitshoff, but made it clear he will join on a three-year deal following the World Cup in France.
Dobson said it is ‘pretty exhausting’ to hear rumours every day about Stormers players being courted by cash-flush European teams – despite the financial meltdown a major competition like the Premiership is experiencing.
“We try and look after our own and bring through our own,” he said about European teams treating South Africa as a ‘free-for-all’ recruitment source because of the Republic’s weak currency.
“It seems we are on the back foot a lot of the time fending off [offers], especially if you do well.
“We focus wholly on developing our players, but once we do that successfully, we have to deal with approaches from elsewhere. It is tiring.”
Dobson said he will have a chat with Kitshoff after the game against Ospreys on Friday, but confirmed the veteran prop is ‘off-contract’ after the World Cup in France next year.
“He has more than earned his spurs in this union to go where he wants to and do what is right for him and his family,” the Stormers coach said.
“If it is the case that he is going to Ulster, it will absolutely be with our blessing.
“He has respected his contract here [in Cape Town] and has put in so much on-and-off the field.
“Who knows, with Kitsy – a couple of years in Ulster and he will be back with us. He is that kind of bloke.
“I can’t confirm if he is going or not, yet.
“If he wants to go, it will be with our blessing.”
Kitshoff is not the only high-profile Stormers star that has attracted attention abroad.
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Recent reports suggested 20-year-old Sacha Mngomezulu, the Junior Springbok captain, is on England coach Eddie Jones’ radar.
The Baby Bok skipper qualifies to play for England through his father, radio personality Nick Feinberg.
Both Dobson, on Thursday, and Mngomezulu in a recent interview, have played down those reports.
“As far as I know he [Mngomezulu] has an English passport, he certainly didn’t queue as long as us at Heathrow [airport],” the Stormers coach quipped.
“He is under contract with Western Province till 2025,” Dobson said on a more serious note.
“I can’t see [moving to England] being a realistic possibility for him.
“[Backline coach] Dawie [Snyman] had a chat to him about the rumours, but I think Sacha is staying put.”
The 20-year-old admitted in a recent interview that English clubs approached him after school.
“I had the opportunity to go abroad straight after school, from several clubs,” he was quoted as saying.
“That would have meant me going into the England Under-20 set-up, which is what I didn’t want.
“We know there is more money overseas, but I’m fully focused on South Africa.”
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