Why Scotland will never have the same depth as South Africa
The quality and depth of players coming through the South African schools system will always give their franchises an advantage over their Scottish rivals.
Edinburgh’s South African tour ended on a frustrating note this past weekend, as they lost 14-33 to the Stormers in Cape Town.
The team from the Scottish capital was more resilient than they had been in their humbling 17-54 loss to the Lions a week earlier.
However, the outcome of the game in Cape Town was the same as it had been in Johannesburg: a defeat devoid of even the minuscule consolation of a losing bonus point or two.
Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt admitted the quality and depth in certain positions were again shown up in the South African safari.
That depth and quality deficit was on full display in Cape Town.
Edinburgh started with veteran Scottish prop Pierre Schoeman, who was replaced after 49 minutes by Springbok Boan Venter at loosehead prop. At tighthead, Paul Hill started and lasted 69 minutes before Angus Williams came on. Hooker Ewan Ashman played 75 minutes, with Jerry Blyth-Lafferty getting a cameo at the end.
The Stormers started with Ntuthuko Mchunu at No.1 and replaced him with Scotland-capped prop Oliver Kebble after 63 minutes. One-cap Springbok Andre-Hugo Venter started at hooker and was replaced after 56 minutes by JJ Kotze. Sazi Sandi played 49 minutes at tighthead before Bok prop Neethling Fouche took to the field.
Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt revealed that he wanted to keep Schoeman, Ashman and Hill on for as long as possible.
“We knew what was coming off the Stormers’ bench,” Everitt said.
However, it did not go according to plan, and the scrum penalties started to mount and it allowed the Stormers to ease clear in the final quarter.
“We knew it was going to be a massive test up front,” the Edinburgh coach said, adding: “Dobbo [Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson] prides himself in what he has in those positions.”
Everitt, a former Sharks coach, said the Stormers have eight quality props across their roster.
“Any one of those [props] can start on any given day.
“Credit to them.”
* (WATCH as Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt explains why Scottish teams so often struggle against their South African rivals.….)
He added that the school system in South Africa, and the Western Cape in particular, and the numbers they have coming through the system, are what give South African teams an edge.
“We [Edinburgh] are never going to build that depth in each position, having four prospective Scotsmen playing a particular position.
“You can’t compare the two systems.
“Our first and second choices will always be competitive and really good.
“We rely on our youngsters to fill up those No.3 and No.4 slots.
“It is a challenge, and you can’t compare South Africa with Scotland.”
It is once you look at the Stormers’ entire front row roster that you realise just how much depth and quality they really have.
They recruited Bok Ntuthuko Mchunu from the Sharks, Hencus van Wyk from the Cheetahs, Kebble from Oyonnax in France and Vernon Paulo from the Cheetahs.
Already on their books were Fouché, injured Bok Frans Malherbe, Zimbabwe international Vernon Matongo, Baby Bok Zachary Porthen, Oliver Reid, Sandi, Ali Vermaak and Corné Weilbach.
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