Springbok rot starts at the top, says Duane

12 October 2016 - 09:25 By CRAIG RAY

The poor state of Springbok rugby - and South African rugby in general - has left most sideline commentators espousing solutions and calling for heads. But from the people in the game's inner sanctum - coaches, players and administrators - the silence has been deafening since the All Blacks delivered a chilling denouement on the state of rugby in South Africa last Saturday.Bok No8 and talismanic leader Duane Vermeulen can't stand it any longer.Watching the All Blacks run in nine unanswered tries against the Boks on their way to a record 57-15 win had the tough-as-teak back rower torn between despair and anger.Vermeulen, 30, who is available for selection for the Bok squad for their tour to Britain and Italy next month now that he is fully fit, wants to play Test rugby again and add to his 37 caps.But he can't commit to returning to SA because of the way rugby is currently being run.He, though, is also willing to contribute to finding a solution to SA rugby's problems."I want to be part of the Boks but the way things are going now I can't see a positive outcome," Vermeulen said from France."We need an intervention and I can't sit silently on the side and say nothing any more."I feel it's always the coaches that have their say in a team environment and as a player there is no time to focus and to talk about issues in SA rugby. We only focus on the game itself. I feel the need to speak up, for the players."I still want to play, be a part of the best players in the country and represent the Boks with all I have. But at the moment I can't see why players would commit 100%. That's a huge problem. Where did everything go wrong?"It was ugly watching the game on Saturday."We were a powerhouse in world rugby and I feel it is my duty to also make a stand and say something on the record about the situation."I don't know how much respect there is for players any more."I feel for them and it's partially our fault because we stay silent. It also starts at the top and we need clear and decisive leadership."SA Rugby announced yesterday that respected coach Brendan Venter and former Springbok team psychologist Pieter Kruger will facilitate next week's coaching indaba.CEOs and coaching staff of all six Superrugby franchises have been invited to attend the two-day event in conjunction with Springbok coaching staff, members of the rugby department of SA Rugby, former Springbok coaches and players and a representative of MyPlayers, the players' organisation.Vermeulen backs the idea of the coaches' indaba, but believes it has to be taken seriously."In the end we have to reach a common goal about how we want to play the game."If coaches don't adhere to the agreement and principles that are set out then they should either be fined or sacked."It all starts at the top. And that is chaos at the moment."By the top, I also mean the Sports Ministry."Meanwhile, versatile back Johan Goosen was named by his peers as the best player in the Top 14 for the 2015-2016 season. - TMG Digital..

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