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Peter de Villiers: Let my players go!
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has said he will travel to Europe after the Tri-Nations to iron out player-release problems with his players' clubs.
Racing Metro back Frans Steyn has rejoined the Springbok squad and took full part in Monday's practice session ahead of the Tri-Nations clash with Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Steyn was called up to a Springbok training camp two weeks ago but was not released by his club Racing Metro after being injured in a warm-up game. On-going liaison between SARU and Racing Metro as well as the French Rugby Federation has now enabled Steyn to be released for International duty.
De Villiers said he was glad to have Steyn back in the squad and added that the perceived "saga" around the player was "all a matter of miscommunication".
De Villiers has made it clear that he wants to take action to avoid problems in future with the release of overseas-based players.
"After the Tri-Nations, myself and Andy (Marinos) will travel to Europe to sit down with Racing Metro and Frans and discuss the way forward," he said at a press conference on Monday.
"We also plan to meet with Butch James' club (Bath) and BJ Botha's club (Ulster) to make sure that all parties are on the same page when it comes to the release of players for international duty.
"We have to get our ducks in a row to avoid causing disruptions to both the team and the players".
Steyn turned out for his club last Friday and showed no effects of injury during the Pretoria session on Monday morning. De Villiers would not speculate on what Steyn's role might be in the match against the Wallabies.
"It is great to have Frans here and he is a great addition to our squad but we have a player in the position who did not do badly last weekend," said the coach.
"We will sit and look at what will be best for the team this weekend and make it known when we confirm our team on Tuesday".
Steyn, meanwhile, slotted in well with his team-mates and looked in good shape. He struck the ball well during the kicking session too.
"It's great to be back in the squad," he said.
Comments
abrad says...
'myself and Andy (Marinos) will travel to Europe to sit down with Racing Metro and Frans and discuss the way forward@
more like..'myself and Andy will travel to Europe to sit down with Racing Metro to be told what contractual procedures we must follow.
Posted 14:30 24th August 2010
apuula says...
So much for not picking NH based players because they are not up to scratch.
Posted 05:09 24th August 2010