Bulls coach Jake White rallies behind calls for bigger squads

Bulls coach Jake White has made a plea to the South African rugby powers that be to allow the local unions to increase their 45-man squad cap.

SARU recently introduced a salary and squad members cap which has been imposed on the local unions, in a new model that was designed to streamline player contracting as well as the finances in the local game. White, however, is of the opinion that, the increased rigours of competitions the unions are faced with within the modern-day, call for an increased playing personnel if teams are going to be able to cope and still be competitive.

White feels schedule is unrealistic for a 45-man squad

Now the 2007 World Cup-winning coach is convinced that, having a playing squad divided between the Rainbow Cup, PRO16, and Currie Cup and still having to contend with the departure of the Springboks as well as the youngsters being involved in their own competition. White then feels as if, that could leave not only the Bulls, but all the other unions vulnerable going forward.

“I know a request has been made for us to be allowed to make our squads bigger than the player cap of 45, and that’s from all four unions, not just the Bulls,” White said on Friday.

“If we play in the Rainbow Cup final on June 19, we could also have a Currie Cup game and the Boks could be out too. The U20s also have a competition starting. But we’re only allowed 45 players so I’m not sure what we can do, can we choose club players?” he asked.

READ | BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR: JAKE WHITE BACKS ‘WINNER’ MORNE STEYN FOR SHOCK SELECTION

He continued by breaking down potential numbers and options that could be taken away from both him and the Sharks by the Springboks for the British & Irish Lions

“We’re waiting to hear from SA Rugby, but we’re all in the same boat. In fact, the Sharks could have 10-12 players in the Springbok camp, so I’m not sure how they would pick two full teams. But as a coach I want to produce Springboks, I want guys like Cornal Hendricks, Stedman Gans and Elrigh Louw to play for the Boks and the list goes on,” White said while speaking to the Bulls app.