Eddie Jones, the head coach of Japan's national rugby team, has thrown a spotlight on what he perceives as a massive strategic advantage for the Springboks, thanks to their policy of allowing players to compete in foreign leagues. This distinct approach contrasts starkly with the restrictive policies of other rugby nations like New Zealand, England, and Ireland, which only select domestically-based players.
South Africa's rugby scene has seen a significant shift since Rassie Erasmus relaxed the rules on overseas player selection. High-caliber players, including two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit and the most recent award winner, Malcolm Marx, have been showcasing their skills in Japan's Rugby League One. This league, while considered less demanding physically and competitively than Europe's top tournaments and Super Rugby, offers a shorter season, which Jones argues is beneficial.
"They get good training time in, they get enough practice, they get plenty of touches on the ball, which is an advantage,"
Jones explained on the Rugby Unity podcast. He likened Japan's League One to the earlier days of Super Rugby, emphasizing its dynamic play and reduced physicality at the breakdown, making it an ideal playing field for developing skills without the wear and tear.
The success of the Springboks, attributed in part to this overseas policy initiated under Erasmus, has sparked calls for other rugby nations to reconsider their stance on international player selection. This debate has been reignited by Dave Rennie, the new All Blacks coach, especially after witnessing the performance of Brodie Retallick with his Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan.
Jones further highlighted the personal benefits for players in Japan, noting,
"For the best players, they get plenty of touches, practice, they have a good lifestyle – they don’t have to do any media or endorsements – and they get well paid. Their wives are happy, families are happy and come back refreshed,"
which he believes contributes significantly to their performance and well-being.
The debate continues to evolve as more nations watch the Springboks' success and ponder whether a similar model could elevate their own international squads. Meanwhile, players like Malcolm Marx, thriving in foreign leagues, only add weight to the argument for more inclusive national team policies.
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Eddie Jones, the head coach of Japan's national rugby team, has thrown a spotlight on what he perceives as a massive strategic advantage for the Springboks, thanks to their policy of allowing players to compete in foreign leagues. This distinct approach contrasts starkly with the restrictive policies of other rugby nations like New Zealand, England, and Ireland, which only select domestically-based players.
South Africa's rugby scene has seen a significant shift since Rassie Erasmus relaxed the rules on overseas player selection. High-caliber players, including two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit and the most recent award winner, Malcolm Marx, have been showcasing their skills in Japan's Rugby League One. This league, while considered less demanding physically and competitively than Europe's top tournaments and Super Rugby, offers a shorter season, which Jones argues is beneficial.
"They get good training time in, they get enough practice, they get plenty of touches on the ball, which is an advantage,"
Jones explained on the Rugby Unity podcast. He likened Japan's League One to the earlier days of Super Rugby, emphasizing its dynamic play and reduced physicality at the breakdown, making it an ideal playing field for developing skills without the wear and tear.
The success of the Springboks, attributed in part to this overseas policy initiated under Erasmus, has sparked calls for other rugby nations to reconsider their stance on international player selection. This debate has been reignited by Dave Rennie, the new All Blacks coach, especially after witnessing the performance of Brodie Retallick with his Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan.
Jones further highlighted the personal benefits for players in Japan, noting,
"For the best players, they get plenty of touches, practice, they have a good lifestyle – they don’t have to do any media or endorsements – and they get well paid. Their wives are happy, families are happy and come back refreshed,"
which he believes contributes significantly to their performance and well-being.The debate continues to evolve as more nations watch the Springboks' success and ponder whether a similar model could elevate their own international squads. Meanwhile, players like Malcolm Marx, thriving in foreign leagues, only add weight to the argument for more inclusive national team policies.