Jimmy Stonehouse says it’s disappointing for South African rugby that the SWD Eagles will not be in the Currie Cup Premier Division this season.
The Eagles, coached by former Springbok mentor Heyneke Meyer, finished fifth in the SA Cup standings, missing out on a top-four spot to the Boland Cavaliers on points difference.
Only the top four teams progressed to the Currie Cup and Stonehouse believes SA rugby is poorer for it.
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“I feel there is room for all the unions in the Currie Cup Premier Division,” the Pumas coach told Netwerk24.
“There are more than enough rugby players in the country. A little effort just needs to be made to improve all the rugby unions.
“It’s not just SWD, but also the Valke who played incredibly good rugby in the SA Cup,” he said. “I really sympathise with SWD, who didn’t qualify for the Currie Cup.
“I truly believe rugby in our country could be 10 times stronger if we had 14 strong unions all competing in the Premier Division,” he said.
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Stonehouse also took aim at the focus placed on the Cheetahs, whose qualification hopes hung in the balance until the final round.
“You read everywhere in the newspapers that it just shouldn’t happen that the Cheetahs don’t qualify for the Currie Cup,” he said.
“But you didn’t see anywhere that it was said the other teams couldn’t afford not to make it.
“Everyone is just worried about the Cheetahs.”
Photo: Facebook/SWD Eagles
The post Stonehouse: Not right that SWD not in Currie Cup appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Jimmy Stonehouse said it is disappointing for South African rugby that a team like the SWD Eagles will not be participating in the Currie Cup this season.
The post Stonehouse: Not right that SWD not in Currie Cup appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
