Terblanche: Ireland a ‘wonderful’ place to play

Ulster’s former Natal Sharks and Springbok full-back, Stefan Terblanche believes the Irish provinces will remain an attractive proposition for overseas players even if the IRFU sticks to its plan to squeeze the influx of non-Irish qualified talent.

The Irish union published their controversial diktat last year and among the stipulations was the insistence that overseas players would not be able to extend their stay on these shores after their initial contract expires.

“It depends on where your career is personally,” said Terblanche, who spent four years with the Ospreys between 2003 and 2007 and who was persuaded to postpone his planned retirement to hook up with Ulster this season.

“Some players only want to come over for two or three years towards the end of their career, some are leaving South Africa because they feel they’ve got a better chance of playing international rugby coming to Ireland, France or England. There’s a lot of South Africans qualified for England now.

“I still think that Ireland is a great option for any player to come over, be it for two/three years. It’s a wonderful place to play rugby and no-one can complain about the competitiveness or quality of the rugby because it’s improved so much.”

The gap Terblanche filled was created by a season-ending injury to Kiwi Jared Payne but he still faced hoops to jump. The IRFU’s Player Advisory Group had to give the green light as did the UK Border Agency who insist on applicants sitting a language exam.

Afrikaans may be his first language but Terblanche’s grasp of English is exemplary and the only concern was the lengthy waiting list for the test and the fact that his oral inquisitor turned out to be a keen fan of Western Province who are Natal’s arch rivals.

In the end, it all took six weeks but the wait has been well worth it given the manner in which he has filled in for the injured Payne and life off the field has been equally fulfilling given his willingness to immerse himself in the local culture and history.

At 36, it is an unexpected and rewarding postscript to an already enriching career and he believes the likes of Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell should not rule out a similar stint abroad as they too approach their mid-30s.

“It’s a personal thing. If you want to stay and finish your career where you started — I have never had the opportunity to play rugby in the hometown where I grew up — then that must be the best rugby experience ever.

“But I would never not advise players to just go and experience something for a little bit.”

It’s a frightening thought for supporters of Munster and Leinster but Charlie McCreevy’s tax rebate for sports people who finish their careers in Ireland is just one reason why some of Ireland’s 30-somethings are unlikely to follow Terblanche’s path.