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Shocking advice from Ollie
13/05/2008 22:06 - (SA)
Stephen Nell , Die Burger
Cape Town - South Africa's top rugby players will be foolish if they do not accept lucrative offers to play in the northern hemisphere, says Ollie le Roux.
"You'd be dumb to stay in South Africa once you have made a name for yourself," the former Springbok prop forward said after training with the Stormers in Durbanville.
"The people over there (in the northern hemisphere) regard you as a hero, there is not so much pressure and the money is unbelievable.
"We have so many good players in South Africa. I foresee that many of them will go abroad. That's certainly the road to take," Le Roux said.
He revealed that Leinster had been interested in retaining his services to assist the Irish regional team with coaching.
"I'll remain registered (as player) over there and if they need me they only have to call," he said.
"The money I was paid was more than any Springbok contract I ever had. The people over there also appreciate experience. The news media look up to you and don't try to see when they can retire you."
Asked what could be done to keep players in South Africa, Le Roux said, "Clermont (a French club) have a budget of 22 million euro (about R260m). You can't compete with that.
"The big thing is to try to retain what we have and to provide the players with a future."
Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus said on Tuesday Le Roux was not part of his planning for the Super 14 match against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
However, in addition to the expected changes in the front row, Erasmus may also move Luke Watson back to No 8 and start the match with Pieter Myburgh on the flank.
This means Robbie Diack could be among the substitutes.
"Pieter may be on the flank, It's between him and Robbie," Erasmus said. "We have not decided".
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