Steve Kitshoff calls for better squad rotation by South African teams

The Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers have it tougher than their European counterparts, travelling to and from the continent throughout the campaign.

That has been exacerbated by their participation in the Investec Champions Cup and, as a result of the strain that has put on the players, they have often decided to rotate.

The previously unbeaten Stormers did just that when they visited Harlequins and paid the price, shipping 60 points to the Londoners in the round robin clash.

It once again initiated the debate over the viability of the South African sides in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.

"It's 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," Kitshoff said on the GameTime podcast.

"The Springboks do it exceptionally well, but they've got the talent.

"The 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't played for four months, a guy like Scarra [Ntubeni], who hasn't played for a year.

"Now you go and try and compete against a Harlequins team that is hurting, that is desperate, that actually needs a win.

"The Stormers are flying high because they're this undefeated side but then they lose all their credit, which is sad.

"They need to plan it out a bit better and Dobbo [John Dobson] needs to go, 'these are my stars, these okes can only play 30 games per year'. You can then plot it out and actually have squads that's lined up for each weekend.

"At least there's some planning in rotating players instead of one week going, 'boom, full strength against Bulls', and then next week [going much weaker]."

The Springboks and Stormers great duly suggested planning before the season exactly which squads would take to the field for each match.

"If you actually plot out in the beginning when your players are going to play and for each game of the year you put out a 23-man squad - if everyone's fit to play, this is what the team looks like. Only when there's an injury do you go, 'this guy gets removed' and you just rejig it a bit," he said.

"You then present it to the squad and go, '40 games for the year, this is when you're playing'. How good would it be for a player to go, 'I'm not playing this game, I'm not playing this game, I can book the wedding I was going to miss'.

"I would want to see how it actually plays out and if it works.

"If I know I'm playing the 24th but not playing the 31st, I would give everything this week because I know I'm resting."

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