Springbok players will need to be rested in October according to a clause in their contracts.

The clause states that Springboks with joint SA Rugby and provincial union contracts will not play in this year’s Currie Cup.

The Boks' last Rugby Championship game is against the All Blacks on 8 October. The players will then need to rest for two weeks before returning to training for the end-of-year tour to Europe.

‘The clause was added so that we can ensure the team is better managed,’ an informed source told Rapport. ‘Seeing that the contracted Boks are being rested in October and touring Europe in November, it leaves them with no space to play in Japan, because players [according to Japanese rugby bosses] are not allowed to only report [to their clubs] in December.'

Several Springboks played club rugby in Japan after the 2015 World Cup, including Handré Pollard, Eben Etzebeth, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende and Willie le Roux.

Read the full story on Netwerk24

Photo: Barry Aldworth/BackpagePix