New Saracens Director of Rugby Brendan Venter has denied he is trying to poach South African players to join him at the English club, claiming rather that he wants to "create a rugby home for South Africans" at the club.
Venter told Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag this week that he didn't want to get into a mudfight over players in the media.
The former Springbok centre was accused of poaching players after it was reported that he was to cull up to 15 players from the club and replace them with South Africans.
"I only took the work, as Director of Rugby because I see it as a challenge to create a team that will be supported by South Africans abroad.
There is so much young South African rugby talent in England at the moment and I believe we can create a team which they can identify with and I hope to make Saracens that team," Venter told Sondag.
Venter wouldn't elaborate about Saracens problems but said the team needs a winning mentality right now.
"To do well you need a winning mentality and I think South Africans have that mentality," Venter added, "It wont be right for me to say what is wrong at Saracens.
They are currently eighth in the league and have no trophies in their cabinet. I first want to get there and make my own decisions on which way to go." Venter also ruled out any South Africans getting preferential treatment at the club.
"Each player will be chosen on his talents and not because he is a South African," Venter added.
A South African company called SAIL (Southern African Investments Ltd) recently obtained a 50.0% shareholding Premier Team Holdings who own Saracens.
SAIL already own 24.9% of Western Province Rugby (Pty) Ltd (The Stormers), 50.0% of the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd The Bulls and 24.9% Griffons Rugby (Pty) Ltd - this gives them better access to South African players than probably any other independent organisation in South Africa.
On their website SAIL say that they plan to participate in the management of their brands which can only make one expect an increased South African presence in the club, "In line with our business strategy to participate within the value chain of the sport industry, SAIL will continue it’s involvement in these sporting brands, through the active participation in the management of these brands."
Sapa - Rugbyweek.com
