Claassen’s French connection pays off
11 Feb 2013
Antonie Claassen, son of former Springbok captain Wynand Claassen, has been picked for France.
Claassen is the ninth foreign-born player to be included in a French international line-up, the last being another South African centre, Brian Liebenberg, in 2003. He currently plays for French club Castre and has been on the fringes of selection for the last few seasons.
He has spent the core of his professional playing career in France and although he has such strong South African links, by way of Wynand having captained the Boks and having been actively involved with the Boks in the guise of national selector, the selection is reward for the investment into his playing talents in France.
Several foreign-based players arrive in France at an early stage of their careers and they should be considered locals in what the game in France has given them by way of development.
Rory Kockott, for example, is different in that his formative professional years were in South Africa at the Sharks and he has made his intention clear that part of playing club rugby in France is with the hope of playing international rugby. Claassen’s French connection goes beyond rugby with his life centred around living in France.
South Africa have representation to every Six Nations squad, although some like Richardt Strauss (Ireland) are currently injured.
18 Comments
11 Feb 2013, 18:06 pm
Pretorius for Wales
Claassen for France
Geldenhuys for Italy
Botha & Barrit for England
Denton is from Zimbabwe… Hardly South African
But yes. Almost a South African in every 6 Nations squad
11 Feb 2013, 18:17 pm
For anyone who wants to begin to understand the facts about the September 11 “attacks”, a worthwhile site is www(dot)septemberclues(dot)info
11 Feb 2013, 18:28 pm
France should have picked Claassen years ago. Actually reading how many caps Spies won, South Africa should have picked Claassen years ago.
11 Feb 2013, 18:43 pm
@Rhys7-1: Denton went to Kingswood in Grahamstown…
#jussayin.
11 Feb 2013, 19:15 pm
http://www.volksblad.com/Sport/Rugby/Juan-laat-sak-gordyn-oor-loopbaan-20130211
11 Feb 2013, 19:27 pm
Thanks Juan for the years you gave us
Was expected to be honest.
11 Feb 2013, 19:30 pm
sad news tuna… but kinda inevitable…
all the best in future juan…!!!
11 Feb 2013, 19:51 pm
@viewer-2:
You’re a fool if you believe that rubbish.
11 Feb 2013, 20:15 pm
This is beyond ridiculous now – soon half the players playing for 6N teams will be born in the southern hemisphere with passports not belonging to any 6N country.
It is time the IRB takes action and put an end to this poaching farce, if not then there must be streey justice. Yes if I were president or dictator I would label these prick traitors and revoke them of their citizenship. I would also introduce some kind of a statues of limitations and strip anyone of their citizenship if they are out of the country for more than 3 years.
That’s right. Watch me have Obama terrorist drones patrol the border and rocket attack anything crossing the border – at airports and harbours anyone looking strange will get a bullet between the eyes.
Either the IRB stops this madness or it is plan B.
11 Feb 2013, 20:18 pm
@Tuna-5: so he is retired – should have taken the retirement package in France instead of trying to please those Cheetahs fools for one last season.
11 Feb 2013, 20:26 pm
@viewer-2: it was inside job for sure and only brainwashed people will eat the spin.
11 Feb 2013, 20:46 pm
Juan Smith = Yster. Sad but the right decision. Respect to one of the greatest 7 flankers ever!
11 Feb 2013, 22:28 pm
“Several foreign-based players arrive in France at an early stage of their careers and they should be considered locals in what the game in France has given them by way of development.”
Strange, I could bet there would have been “poaching” mentioned all day long, if France would be changed for NZ.
12 Feb 2013, 04:33 am
@viewer-2: Have you bought any timeshares in the Okavango swamps?
12 Feb 2013, 05:15 am
@stormer in a teacup-14:
Hehehe I think the owner of that blog is family of pops and Bakkies, he thinks saying the same thing over and over and changing the ‘angle’ slightly people will start believing it to be true.
12 Feb 2013, 07:12 am
Sterkte.
12 Feb 2013, 08:40 am
In what position does he play?
12 Feb 2013, 14:28 pm
@RL-11:
Even if it was an inside-job (not saying it was), how cares? Iraq, Syria, Iran they all had/have it coming.
Besides if you lot are going to get all conspiracy theory on that then how about commenting on the world’s new religion called race denial?
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.