Why players are leaving SA

Dave I think this is the soccer model....rugby is coalescing where the money flows. Yes South Africa is uniquely vulnerable because of the currency and the dreadful politics....leaving young men thinking about lives abroad. But Oz and NZ are also increasingly vulnerable.

In 10 years Super Rugby will be a an entry level competition...and European club rugby will be where it’s at. But if we are smart and still select overseas players to the National team....the RC will still be the highest quality international tournament, regardless of what the Pom commentators say. These teams dominate the WC.

The question for South Africa is whether to switch to the European leagues....which isn’t very clear yet.

South Africa is still a great place...if you've got money, but it's getting exceedingly difficult to do business and make a living in South Africa. The ANC is destroying the middle class.

Rugby players at top level have the best of both worlds without the fear of losing their assets...what a pleasure to make good money overseas and get paid in foreign currency (itself is a big gain on the fast diminishing rand) and invest it in the global market. They can then come over and play for the national side or franchises if good enough in opposite seasons between north and south.

If eventually when the inevitable will happen they are still financially secure and can still visit on holidays later on if they so wish...what a pleasure.