SARU takes a stand with issuing new Springbok contracts.

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) today announced that 15 players, including exciting youngsters such as Eben Etzebeth, Marcell Coetzee, Juan de Jongh and Pat Lambie and world stars such as Jean de Villiers, Tendai Mtawarira and Bismarck du Plessis, have been awarded Springbok contracts for 2013.

The group – whose average age is just over 26 years – includes the core of the Springboks Test players from 2012, while players who are based overseas or who have signed contracts with overseas clubs, were not awarded national contracts.

“We’ve kept as many of our top players in South Africa as we could by awarding them national contracts, despite the powerful lure of the pound, euro and yen,” said SARU CEO Jurie Roux.

“We worked hard with the Springbok Management and Sarpa to ensure the best possible deal is placed on the table for the players. A further five contracts are still available and will be finalised in due course.

“Last year provided Heyneke Meyer with an ideal opportunity to see what is needed in the Test arena, and by contracting this group of players, we have secured a core group for 2013. The average age of the contracted group is not very high for Test rugby, which bodes well for the future.”

The following players, who represented the Springboks last year but will be leaving South Africa to play abroad in the next couple of months, were not awarded contracts: Andries Bekker, Juandré Kruger, Morné Steyn, Bryan Habana, JP Pietersen and Zane Kirchner.

“All six of these players were going to receive contracts, but the fact that they have indicated that they have signed with overseas clubs or are planning to do so, has ruled them out of the reckoning,” said Roux.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said: “I’m very excited about the contract group. Most of these players showed last year they have what it takes to play for the Springboks and they can only get more experienced and improve further.

“Losing experienced players to overseas teams is not ideal, but it’s their right to further their careers abroad.”

The Springbok contract group is:
Name Province Test caps
Willem Alberts The Sharks 20
Marcell Coetzee The Sharks 12
Juan de Jongh DHL Western Province 14
Jean de Villiers DHL Western Province 84
Bismarck du Plessis The Sharks 46
Jannie du Plessis The Sharks 42
Eben Etzebeth DHL Western Province 11
Francois Hougaard Vodacom Blue Bulls 27
Pat Lambie The Sharks 20
Tendai Mtawarira The Sharks 41
Pierre Spies Vodacom Blue Bulls 50
Frans Steyn The Sharks 53
Adriaan Strauss Toyota Free State Cheetahs 21
Flip van der Merwe Vodacom Blue Bulls 23
Duane Vermeulen DHL Western Province 7

Biltong wrote:Goosen is out for the year and Schalk hasn't played rugby since the RWC.

Remember Goosen only played half a game for the Boks, that being said apparantly there are more players that will get contracts later.

Taylorman wrote:So does not having a contract mean theyre not eligible for the RC etc this year, or does it mean 'We won't gve you a contract now but when we select the side we'll just take care of the paperwork then" kind of thing.

Biltong wrote:No, well it never did, the Super XV does gt halted though for the June test window.

Biltong wrote:We have a mini tournament lined up for June, Scotland, Samoa and Italy, so it will be an interesting month.