KEY POINTS:
Here is a selection of Your Views:
Dutch Kiwi
Jake White should realise that it is now too late for a reconditioning programme. As usual despite all the criticism, Graham Henry got it dead right.
I note a number of non-whites in the South African team. Is this a sop to the those who want the quota system to be put in place?
Cath
As a dedicated Springbok fan of many years standing, I initially wondered what Jake White was up to. However, it does make sense to prevent injuries in this way. He's written off the Tri-Nations and if that hurts Aussie and Kiwi feelings - tough! It would be interesting to know if we had won the game (be fair, very close) on Sunday morning if he would have done the same. But, of course, we'll never know. The Australians should save their whinging about the quality of the Bok team until they've beaten us. Until then, they would do better to hold their tongues. They will look very stupid if they lose to the Bok 'second-stringers'. And boy, I really hope they do! To Phil: You're a racist! "Japie" is like the N-word or the K-word - a racial slur. I'm surprised it got through the mod. Actually mod, no I'm not. Because you're as ignorant as the average Kiwi :-)
Sam (Timboon Victoria)
It is unfortunate that White has opted to send his second best team. We have to remember that people have the right and are free to do whatever they like. We are not communist-run countries. That is why the rules are made to ensure that people work together for the good of all. Unless the IRB comes up with the some resolution, then rugby is played and run the way a coach would like. On the other hand, why don't the Wallabies and ABs coaches put out their second best teams to play South Africa? We are all educated to have strategies and goals in order to succeed. The ABs had opted earlier on to set apart their 22 players earlier, though, that only affected their rugby locally. It is sad that White's option will affect rugby internationally. This will happen in every four years if the IRB does not resolve it. But everyone is having an eye on the World Cup. Also, as long as the Wallabies and ABs win against the Springboks, this will go against the Springboks in history. We have to enjoy the rugby.
Rognvald West (Australia)
With somewhat rye humour I note that any South African team that is selected with a "quota" input, this is acceptable to the Anzac rugby fraternity and viewed as an opportunity. Arguably, this method of selection ensures that all South African teams are under-strength! Sometimes acceptable and sometimes not. Please Anzacs stop your squealing (whingeing?).
Ipipiri (Bay of Islands)
They can do what ever they want. If they think this is the best way to win aworld cup so be it. I just wonder after the tactics they used on Richie Mccaw, they might be a little frighten of come back on a few of the key players when they arrive here. They need a camp. They showed they have not have the skills of the All Blacks for 80min of rugby
Charles M
The 'Boks know the series is won - a black cloud looms.
John Foley
Quite simple really. Why don't Australia & New Zealand call the Bok tests off and play each other instead (full strength of course!). That way we can have an epic 3 test Bledisloe Cup series instead. That will keep the fans happy (particularly those who have bought tickets already to a now second rate Bok tests). Also, it will send a strong message to IRB (and other unions) that sacrificing the reputation of international rugby is a disgrace. Meanwhile the third Bledisloe test should be played in Sydney with an equal share of the gate takings. Given our current superiority it would be more beneficial for us to play Aussie twice on 'enemy' soil. Perfect preparation for World Cup semi.
JP (Edinburgh)
Surely it is the coaches prerogative to select whomever he wants. It is a bit rich for Jock Hobbs to decry their actions given what Graham Henry has done this year. I do feel for the Aussies considering they have selected their strongest teams every time - fat lot of good it did them during the S14 though. I won't pre-judge this team, it still has a lot of quality in it, even with Venter staying home.
John
What's more important, Tri-Nations or World Cup. If Ali Williams hadn't played against the French, also not an important game, then his chances of being at the World Cup would be better than they are today. Get real - its NOT about conditioning any more. It's all about preventing serious injuries to targeted players, while inflicting as much hurt as possible on the opposition. SA had a good go at McCaw & Carter last weekend and you can guarantee that will continue throughout the Tri-Nations if we put them in harms way. A second grade player, not in contention for the World Cup team, can cause as much physical damage as anyone else.
Mook (Brisbane)
Second rate squad, third rate administration and coach. There should be an IRB law that rugby nations can not rest players prior to a world cup, as it is damaging the code. Does anyone out there see this as good for the game? And this is what it comes down to, selfishly putting our own nations ambitions first to the detriment of the game. So far this year, we have had second rate Super 14 and a string of pointless B-grade internationals. I don't care if the Wallas or ABs smash SAs B team. I would rather have a solid test against their A squad. Even if it meant we lost as a result. As for the fans who bought tickets? I wouldn't be surprised if they boo the SA anthem the way they did to ours (Aus) in Capetown. If they have no respect for our A Squad on tour, show none to their team of pretenders. While I don't approve of the ABs removing their top Super 14 players, I hope the Anzac nations slaughter them in the WC.
Malconius (Hamilton)
All luck to them. Given the assurances that were made from SARFU that they would send their strongest team the decision is probably not justified. Given that there is only a short period of time before the World Cup, what good would it do them anyway? SA rugby probably has the depth to send a reasonably competitive team anyway so it will give the AB's an opportunity to polish what have so far been solid although not stunning performances. Make the most of it and continue the momentum built so far. I would much rather be in our position that theirs.
Gavin (Brisbane)
The real issue here is the sneaky, underhanded nature of South Africa's betrayal. They made assurances of fielding their top side, played with their top side at home matches (no doubt for revenue) and then backtracked at the last minute and sent the B team to NZ and Aus. If they had been upfront 6 months ago - like the NZRU was about withdrawing the All Blacks from the Super 14 - then it would be slightly more palatable. But this is akin to the NZRU only fielding All Blacks at home super 14 games, and not telling anyone until the season has already begun! Either way they would have lost in NZ no matter who they sent, and they will certainly lose in Europe this spring, what a laugh that will be!
Huggy of PN
They have an agreement with SANZA to field their best team. We did, and so did the Wallabies. They should honour that agreement. But this is typical behaviour of the Boks the think that rules don't apply to them.
Gerard O'Neill
This is all a bit rich isn't it? Didn't John Mitchell take a NZ C team to Britain a few seasons ago?
How long will it be until countries are simply wheeling out their top 15 for the World Cup only? Scrap the bloody thing and get back to the good old fashioned tours.
Arron
Maybe if they send some different players these ones might have a go at passing the ball out the backline and running for a change instead of kicking all the time.
G, Wanganui
I agree with what the South Africans are doing. Jake White is basically doing what the All Blacks did, except Graham Henry rested our players during the Super 14, while they're doing it in the Tri-Nations - which is hugely devalued in a World Cup year anyway. Because really, who's going to remember the 2007 Tri Nations champs, when the World Cup is over?
Bruce
Complain by all means if Australia put 50 points on the Springboks, but until that happens I'd button it. After all South Africa might actually beat the Wallabies in Australia!
Kiwi rugby fan
I know everyone including the SA will say that this is no different from us resting 22 players from the S14 but I believe it is totally different. By removing 22 players from the S14 on average we removed 4-5 top players from each of NZ's S14 sides (although the Crusaders may have lost 7). But by removing 20-22 players from the Tri Nations test squad you are effectively keeping the entire test squad in cotton wool and sending a SA A or Junior Springbok side. Test rugby is supposed to be the ultimate. That's why Graham Henry rested his players during a provincial competition. Not during a test series against two of the best teams in the world.
Kalak
If they are going to send a second string team then teach them a lesson and smashed them. It's not good just complaining about it, because no matter how much you focus on it, SA is still going to send lesser team. Smash them, however Australia should not write a second SA team off.
WOJ (Brisbane, Australia)
I wouldn't waste my money on going to watch any games or rugby, even if my best mates shouted me a ticket, regardless who plays. It always started from the top and filtered down to schoolboy administration, so the moral of the story is that the game needs a clean up. The game sux, the rules , the refs, the coaches, and lets not forget, the only reasons why South Africa is in our World game today is that they bought their way back into recognition, from when the game became professional, back in 1995. When coaches and players pick and choose who, why and when they want to play, your die hard supporters lose. So do what I do and stay away from going to watch, and sit back and hear the complaints from administrators, about the empty stadiums they won't fill, and hey, who cares!
MC
Well, we knew that was going to happen sometime. What do you expect when NZRFU decided to rest their top players during the super 14 series. Everyone is focussed on doing well at the Rugby World Cup. The administrators should try to cut down on the number of internationals in the world cup year instead. Just imagine if injuries rob players like Richie, Jerry, Larkham, Schalk, Dan - the world cup would not be the same.
Brendan (Swanson)
The SAs are trying to not let their poor performances at home get them on the back foot for their world cup campaign. The confidence in their team and more importantly their coach may be the reason behind sending second string teams. It is for the IRB to step up and govern the international fixtures, as to how needs to be looked at.
Peter (Howick)
If Jake White wants to tour NZ and Australia with an under strength team, seven weeks out from the world cup, that's at his peril! He will lose any momentum that he has gained so far and risks not having a battled hardened team ready for the cup. Good news for the ABs!
Phil
No, but who cares. They have left their run too late for conditioning now. Their players are going to be as rusty and clumsy as the All Black players were after their conditioning. They got up in the Super 12 because it took so long to get the NZ conditionees back up to pace and that's how they will be in world cup, lucky to make it out of their pool.
Dumb jaapies gonna blow all their Tri-Nations points, cop a big fine and loss of endorsements, then get beaten like an old rag rug in the World Cup. Bwahahaha!
Jeff
Of course they've played a lot of hard rugby this year with the S14 semis & finals. We did it & Aussie would if they had the depth.