SA’s stars ‘want out’ after the Lions visit

● The most important point to emerge from the contractual dispute between PieterSteph du Toit and Western Province is the inevitable rush to the exit by SA’s top players after next year’s Test series against the British & Irish Lions.

Du Toit and Western Province eventually smoothed things over but the point was stressed that he will be contracted only until the completion of that series.

The question for him and other South Africans eyeing a potential move after the Lions series is what shape the global game will be in once there is a semblance of normality after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Though players in France’s Top 14 may also be exposed to a pay cut, Toulouse-based Damian Dussault from DA Agent, a company that represents players from 10 countries, believes the league will right itself.

“The countries that were struggling financially will continue to struggle. I can foresee a lot of South Africans coming in a year,” said Dussault.

He too pointed to the series against the Lions as a bucket-list tick for players who have already scaled the game’s highest peak. Dussault stressed that the Rugby World Cupwinning Springboks were in high demand and that players like Du Toit and captain Siya Kolisi would be targets.

SA Rugby, which was tight for cash before the pandemic, will not have the means to keep its top earners in the R7m-plus bracket in SA. In fact, its Bok selection policy is tailored for the inclusion of players who play abroad. There is tacit acceptance that they have been priced out of the market.

“You will lose the cream of the crop but the other good players will have reason to leave as well,” said Dussault.

He said there would be a focus on the top players because overtures from northern hemisphere clubs were likely to be based on the players’ reputations.

While the Top 14 and the English Premiership are considering lowering their salary cap for clubs, pay cuts are also on the horizon. It might persuade some top southern hemisphere players to stay put.

All Blacks hooker Dane Coles said New Zealand’s top players might think twice about heading north. “We’ve heard some pretty sad stories of some guys playing in France. They’re still in lockdown and their contracts have taken a massive, massive hit.

“I think it will definitely have an effect on people looking overseas in that UK-France kind of market. New Zealand’s not a bad place to finish up your career.”

Dussault said clubs had a salary cap of €11.5m (about R222m). The gross average salary in the Top 14 is about €300,000.

We’ve heard some sad stories of guys playing in France Dane Coles

All Blacks hooker