Would a Springbok team comprised of players based in South Africa be able to conquer a team made up of their overseas-based compatriots?
Jake White believes the Boks need to reverse their policy of picking overseas-based players to shore up and protect the integrity of SA teams in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and Currie Cup.
Jake: No more overseas-based Boks
But Mark Keohane is convinced the Springboks would never be the current world champions without their overseas-based superstars.
“A Springbok team, exclusive to South African-based players, would take regular beatings in Test rugby,” he wrote. “The Springboks leadership are blessed to have the option of picking so many quality overseas-based players.”
KEO: Overseas Saffas are Springbok gold
Keohane illustrated his point by naming two match-day squads on either side of the debate. Who do you think would win if these two hypothetical squads locked horns?
Have your say below!
Overseas XV – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Jesse Kriel, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Subs: 16 Joseph Dweba/Akker van der Merwe, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Ruan Ackermann/Jean-Luc du Preez/Dan du Preez/Ryno Elstadt, 21 Cobus Reinarch, 22 Andre Esterhuizen, 23 Elton Jantjies/Tyrone Greene/Dillyn Leyds.
Local XV – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi, 7 Elrich Louw, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Johann Grobbelaar, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Ox Nche, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Warrick Gelant.
