Bismaark Leaving? John Smits pushes SARU to offer long term contracts

Cape Town - Speaking to the EWN’s website, Sharks CEO John Smit has warned that Bismarck du Plessis could leave South Africa if SA Rugby don’t give him a long-term deal. According to recent reports, the Springbok and Sharks hooker has received several lucrative overseas offers from France and has yet to conclude contractual negotiations with the Sharks. SARU currently only offer one-year contracts to players, but are considering offering extended contracts to a core group of Springboks. Short-term Springbok contracts have been blamed for the recent exodus of a spate of key players, including the likes of Morne Steyn, Bryan Habana (both France) and Andries Bekker (Japan), as players seek the financial security foreign clubs offer without the increasing risk of loss of income due to injury. Smit said, "We have an agreement in place, but he wants to wait and see what SA Rugby has planned for him for his future before he commits to anything." "I’ll be lying if I say he has signed, but we have come to an agreement, an agreement we are both happy with." Du Plessis’ brother Jannie recently agreed to extend his contract with the Sharks.

and behind the scenes John Smit is brokering a deal with French clubs to rid the Sharks of the Hooker that replaced him. 

 

I don't really think that he is interested in France, but just looking to get a better deal from the Sharks and SA rugby

.

Cape Town - Sport24 readers say SARU needs to do more to ensure that the Springboks keep their best players in South Africa.

Following revelations by Sharks CEO John Smit that Bismarck du Plessis was waiting to be offered a 'core' Springbok contract by SARU before signing an agreement with the Sharks, readers have criticised the way SARU contracts players.

Short-term Springbok contracts have been blamed for the recent exodus of a spate of key players, including the likes of Juandre Kruger, Morne Steyn, Zane Kirchner, Bryan Habana (al France), Andries Bekker and JP Pietersen(both Japan), as players seek the financial security foreign clubs offer without the increasing risk of loss of income due to injury.

Here is what Sport24 readers had to say on the issue:

"Wake up SARU you okes are the biggest bunch of muppets!" - dono

"Bismarck has proved he is worth his weight in gold and the fact that he is prepared to stay on in spite of Smit keeping him out of the Bok team in 2011 shows he is committed to the cause. He would be the first name on any team sheet anywhere in the world." - D

"What is with all these short term contracts, it seems that HM and co are uncertain about cementing a long term Bok team. Their doubt is creating more damage on provincial level, so HM shouldn't turn around and snub players hopes for being overseas. I don't know who the onus falls on exactly, but whoever is in charge needs to pull up their socks and create a system(a financial one at that) that's going to keep our players at home. I don't think we're functioning at optimal level at times, our rugby could certainly be a consistent threat if this gets hashed out. OUCH!! I couldn't bare losing Bissie, he's a real pillar to the Sharks. We've already lost the Legend Pieterson who would have been a great advantage to the Currie Cup." - Stephen Trenam

"The moment that a player says "Give me a long-term Bok contract, or I leave" is the moment that he should be told to close the door behind him. You have to fight for and earn your the right to wear that green and gold jersey. SARU does not have the financial resources to keep each and every player, who wants to piss off, from leaving. I think a long term Bok contract is nonsense in any case." - Jan Bal

"It has become clear that the door is not shut for an overseas player to play for SA. I honestly don't see the need for long term contracts. One season at the most, to give SARU the right to have a say in player management. I have doubt that it would have any effect though, because SARU has never been able to succeed in forcing the unions/franchises to pay the players properly." - JB

"Die Sharks en saru moet uit hulle pad uit gaan om die ou hier te hou, ons nodig hom elke wedstryd vir die bokke en hy is ook die hakker wanneer die wereld beker kom so hy moet nog 3jaar in SA bly. Daarna kan bissie maar doen wat hy wil!" - Riaan van der Merwe

"So for arguments sake its Bismarck now, and when it affects Lambie, Etzebeth, Le Roux, Strauss then it will become a problem worth looking at. I could add some names to the list but you guessed it, they already gone!" - Iris Grisling

"For the love of God, keep Bismarck in SA, whatever the cost." - Izzy.noodle

Sharkbok One of the reasons why SARu has financial problems is the fact that they have contracts with a number of players that should not be on contract. If I am not wrong those include Kirchner, De Jongh and Rallepele - basically to ensure BEE compliance and not because they will ever make the Springbok team in future. I think the issue has in fact a wider impact. I do not think it unreasonable for players who are near the end o their playing career to leave SA and due to the exchange rate - build up a large enough "pension to keep them in future. The problem is the fact that the duds SARU has on contract will rarely if ever get overseas offers and that remains a problem. I think the answer is to identify early the key players you want to keep in SA and make sure they will be dealt with and make sure they have two - year contracts with renewable options. They can enter into one year contracts then with the fringe and BEE players they are forced to contract. The other issue is that some younger players think they have no chance to play for the Springboks and want to go overseas to play for the countries where they sign contracts with. There is one insurance possibility here - and that is where Meyer plays a key role/ If a player is identified as potentially good enough to play for a foreign country and also later in his career for the Springboks - put him on the bench for the Springboks and give him 5 minutes playing time and his potential to play for other countries are gone forever. That will ensure that some younger players remain in SA an try and get in the Springboks team as well.