AUDIO: The real cost of South Africa's 'double-dipping'

Player management and the preservation of South Africa’s most prized resources were thrust back into the limelight again as 2024 thundered to a close.

The United Rugby Championship Round Nine encounter between the Stormers and the Sharks in Cape Town – which saw the curtains drawn on the year – resulted in significant injuries.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Aphelele Fassi and Andre Esterhuizen joined a sick bay that already had names like Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth and Lukhanyo Am on the roster.

While Mbonambi, Etzebeth and Am may return to action early in January, Sharks coach John Plumtree cautioned against pushing the more seasoned players at the current rate.

(Continue below …)

He prophesied that some of the ageing Springboks may not survive until the 2027 World Cup as a result of the “12-month season” faced by South African-based players.

“Unless these guys are managed properly, you might not see it straight away, but there will be an accumulation [of injuries] over time,” Plumtree said.

“With the World Cup coming up in three years, there’s a danger of some of our older athletes not being able to make it.

“It is definitely something we have to look at,” the Sharks coach added.

(LISTEN as Sharks coach John Plumtree talks about the vexed issue of South African-based players’ 12-month season and the potential of ‘burnout’….)

He said the accumulative effect is a reality of what South Africa is dealing with by playing in the Southern Hemisphere (Rugby Championship) and Northern Hemisphere (URC, Champions and Challenge Cup) tournaments.

“Until that is sorted out, we’ll see that [mounting injury counts].”

He added that South Africa is in the best position to handle the complicated schedule.

“No other country could,” he said of the heavy load on players.

“We’ve got some really good depth and a lot of good players.”

The other advantage for Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is that he has access to all the players playing abroad – unlike countries like New Zealand and England, who place heavy restrictions on players playing abroad.

“The Japan [club] season isn’t as hectic as the URC season.

“That’s a bit of a saving grace for the Springboks.

“But for the players that play in South Africa and plays for the Springboks need to be managed well.

“And it’s not just about rest and playing, it’s about rest and getting their bodies right by having a proper pre-season window when they can get fitter and stronger.

“That [pre-season] is probably the part that is denied to them at the moment.

“It is my observation – whether it is right or wrong.

“Maybe the scientists in the game can prove me wrong.”

@king365ed
@rugby365com

#⃣INJURY NEWS: @SharksRugby coach John Plumtree gave an update on some of the more serious cases in the camp 🚑#Rugby 🏉#Rugby365 🌐#RugbyUnion🌍
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— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) December 31, 2024