JOHANNESBURG – Springbok coach Allister Coetzee should not pick South African players based overseas. That was the advice from Jake White, who had Coetzee as his Bok assistant coach for four years.
Speaking to Ballz Radio this week, former World Cup-winning coach White believes that local players should be rewarded for staying in South Africa and that New Zealand’s example should be followed, where the All Blacks don’t pick players from overseas.
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“I’ve never changed my view – I don’t think you should ever pick foreign-based players. Foreign-based players have the luxury of earning whatever they are earning miles away. They can’t have their cake and eat it, I think that’s unfair,” White said.
“And secondly, Leicester City have proved something. It is about what your common goal is, how you endure hardships together. I don’t believe in boys flying in and out, then going back to their team and earning money. Then the guys toiling away in the domestic competition don’t get picked.
“That’s the sacrifice you have to make. Now that I’m in Europe, I’ve seen Nick Evans and Carl Hayman playing well for their clubs, but they don’t get picked by the All Blacks.
“If I was the national coach, I would bring that feeling back of wanting to play for South Africa. If you are allowed to do both, then why would encourage players to stay and earn Rands instead of Euros?”
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