JEAN DE VILLIERS may have played for South Africa during his year of European rugby, with Munster, but he is in favour of axing overseas players for future competitions.

The Springbok captain, who played for Munster in 2009/10, opened up about the exodus of South African players to foreign climes at the conclusion of the Rugby Championship. 10 of the current squad will play with teams based in European or Japan this season, including Leinster’s Zane Kirchner and Ulster scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar.

De Villiers had taken a sabbatical from international rugby to play for Tony McGahan’s Munster but was called up to play in the Croke Park defeat to Ireland in November 2009 after injuries hit the then-world champions.

The inside centre wants South Africa to follow the lead of Australia and New Zealand and cut players loose that opt out of turning out for the country’s Super Rugby franchises.

He told RadioSports, “It is a massive issue and a massive problem at this stage because without a doubt the Super Rugby sides will be weakened a hell of a lot.

We can’t go on like this. We have to keep South African rugby strong. For now, they’re selected from abroad but going into the future I can’t see that happening.”

“You can’t go on like that, you have to keep South African rugby strong,” added De Villiers.

“And so now that’s a lesson from abroad, but going to the future I can’t see that happening and maintaining that for a very long time.”

De Villiers will lead the ‘Boks in their Rugby Championship opener against Argentina this weekend. Pienaar starts at scrumhalf but there is no place in the matchday squad for new Leinster back Zane Kirchner.

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