VIDEO: The troubling phone calls fielded by SA franchises
Getting a global season over the line will be ‘massive’ for South African franchises hoping to sit at Europe’s top table more regularly.
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson, speaking ahead of the resumption of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup campaigns, said getting everyone on the same page is “essential”.
The Stormers host Sale Sharks in Cape Town on Saturday (January 11) and then have a challenging trip to Paris where they will face Racing 92 at the La Defense Arena on January 18.
Then the Stormers face runaway leaders Leinster in Dublin in the United Rugby Championship, before returning to Cape Town to host the Bulls in a rescheduled Round One encounter.
Currently stuck at the bottom of Pool Four, the Stormers remain point-less after two tricky opening rounds – against Toulon (a 14-24 loss) and Harlequins (a 16-53 loss).
They go into their Sale Sharks and Racing 92 group-closing ties with their objectives firmly set on claiming as many points as possible and staying alive in the play-off race.
However, it will require some astute player management – both in the short term and for the rest of the season.
(WATCH as Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson talks about the toughest challenges faced by South African franchises….)
It is unclear if Springbok star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be available this week, after he left the field in the 37th minute of the 24-20 URC win over the Sharks last month – his third of the season.
Having come back from knee surgery and a concussion setback since September, he suffered a clavicular dislocation.
They may opt to rest him and not take him on tour.
Hooker Joseph Dweba, who missed the win over the Sharks with a hamstring injury, is also awaiting a fitness test.
However, Evan Roos, Sti Sithole and Leolin Zas are all expected to return from injury this week.
While the length of the season will not change, the one dilemma for South African teams – especially the home-based internationals – is how to build depth in the face of the financial constraints they face.
“We have to be better with our [player] management in the off-season – the Currie Cup period,” Dobson said.
“I have probably dragged our season into a never-ending one with some players.
“We are not quite there in terms of dept yet, if we want to win these competitions,” he said – pointing to teams like Leinster and Toulouse, who have upwards of 20 internationals and can comfortably rotate their squads.
“We need a strong enough team that can win a URC game at home, no matter who it is.
“We are trying to achieve that organically, but we are not there yet in terms of the dept.
“We are exposing youngsters.
“However, as soon as one player comes through, the phone starts ringing.
“It is remarkable and exhausting.
“As soon as a player comes onto the stage you get a phone call from an agent that says they want him, no matter what the price is.
“That is the tough part for South African franchises.”
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