Ex-Springboks prop Steven Kitshoff has provided a novel suggestion for the South African franchises following criticism for playing understrength teams.<\/p>\n
The Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers have it tougher than their European counterparts, travelling to and from the continent throughout the campaign.<\/p>\n
That has been exacerbated by their participation in the Investec Champions Cup<\/a> and, as a result of the strain that has put on the players, they have often decided to rotate.<\/p>\n The previously unbeaten Stormers<\/a> did just that when they visited Harlequins and paid the price, shipping 60 points to the Londoners in the round robin clash.<\/p>\n Criticism of SA B teams<\/p>\n It once again initiated the debate over the viability of the South African<\/a> sides in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not the solution or how it needs to happen, but I think there needs to be a better rotation in players across the squad of 50,\u201d Kitshoff said on the GameTime podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Springboks do it exceptionally well, but they\u2019ve got the talent.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Stormers will go A side, who will play against the Bulls. They have a close game and beat them 13-8. The following week we send a completely new side, guys who haven\u2019t played for four months, a guy like Scarra [Ntubeni], who hasn\u2019t played for a year.<\/p>\n \u201cNow you go and try and compete against a Harlequins team that is hurting, that is desperate, that actually needs a win.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Stormers are flying high because they\u2019re this undefeated side but then they lose all their credit, which is sad.<\/p>\n \u201cThey need to plan it out a bit better and Dobbo [John Dobson] needs to go, \u2018these are my stars, these okes can only play 30 games per year\u2019. You can then plot it out and actually have squads that\u2019s lined up for each weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cAt least there\u2019s some planning in rotating players instead of one week going, \u2018boom, full strength against Bulls\u2019, and then next week [going much weaker].\u201d<\/p>\n Stormers boss issues Frans Malherbe update as Springboks prop suffers fresh setback<\/a><\/p>\n