With each passing year we see more local rugby talent heading abroad, the combination of a distrust in SARU and a favourable exchange rate making those cushy deals overseas too good to turn down.

That we may one day come to peace with, but now clubs from France are actively pursuing our young talent before they’ve even finished high school.

You may have noticed the annual Craven Week U-18 tournament underway at Kearsney College, but you’re not the only one.

Sport24 reports:

Accredited South African agent Mark Greeff had admitted that he was approached by French clubs for names of South Africa’s 20 most promising schools rugby stars.

“The players won’t be able to study in France, but would be required to learn French. They would be placed at clubs like Toulon, Racing 92, Montpellier and Clermont Auvergne. Afterwards, the French rugby academy’s selectors would also have a look at the players,” said Greeff.

The contracts are believed to be between €3 500 and €4 000 (R55 500-R63 500) per month.

They players would also receive free accommodation as well as vehicles.

What’s that, you earn more than R63 500 per month and all those other perks? Good job.

Another rather worrying bit of information is that the scouts themselves aren’t even French, thus easy to pick out from a crowd of fathers shouting instructions at their children and trying to relive their youth.

Nope, they’re retired South African rugby players who once played club rugby in France. We won’t name names, but if you’re just a little clued up it should be easy enough to figure out.

[source:sport24]

[imagesource:schoolsportnews]