Hoskins admits Test problems

SARU president says fixture is "not in their best interest"

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 1st March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hoskins admits Test problems

Hoskins: Admits Test problems

We acknowledge that the clash is untimely given the tough Bok schedule in the build-up to the World Cup.

Oregan Hoskins
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South Africa's rugby chief Oregan Hoskins admits playing Wales at the start of the southern hemisphere international season will be "untimely".

The Springboks are facing an increasingly demanding season, with the Millennium Stadium clash on June 5, which will mark the 10-year anniversary of the venue's opening, taking their total of Tests this year to 14.

The South Africa Rugby Union (SARU) are due to confirm the Cardiff fixture in the coming days, with the announcement certain to face heavy criticism given the already hostile reception to three Tests against France and Italy ahead of Boks' Tri-Nations defence.

Begged

But Hoskins insists the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) "begged" the organisation to play the game, leaving them with no choice.

"We acknowledge that the clash is untimely given the tough Bok schedule in the build-up to the World Cup," Hoskins told Business Day.

"But the Welsh Rugby Union begged us in honour of the Test 10 years ago in which the Boks opened up the Millennium Stadium.

"It means a lot to them and we didn't want to let them down, even though we admit it is not in our best interests.

"They also mentioned the possibility of royalty being present, which shows how significant the occasion is for them."

Hoskins also insists that SARU should not take the blame, as they made the decision on the basis that the French Test on June 12 would be staged in France.

This was due to conflicting scheduling with the football World Cup, but a compromise has now been reached with FIFA allowing the fixture to go ahead in Cape Town.

"When discussions about the matter started we were expecting to play the following Test in France," he added.

"So the Test made sense. Only two weeks ago Danny Jordaan (the local World Cup CEO) gave us the go-ahead to play the French Test in Cape Town."

Complications

Hoskins acknowledged the Wales game could cause complications for Boks coach Peter de Villiers, particularly since the Super 14 competition concludes just one week before and could leave some players exhausted.

"The decision on whether we will select an expanded Bok squad for the midyear Tests ultimately lies with Peter," said Hoskins.

"We have formed a big national squad over the years if one considers the past Tri-Nations squads, the squad selected for last year's year-end tour and the Bok players based in Europe. So we will have to look at our resources and work something out."