Bath demand Butch James compensation from South Africa
Another club- versus-country row threatens to boil over in the world of rugby union this week involving Bath, their fly-half Butch James and his national side, South Africa.
The 31-year-old had surgery on a shoulder injury he sustained while on international duty, and now his employers are demanding compensation from the Springboks.
James has struggled with injuries over the past year and has only played for Bath a handful of times since the end of the 2008/09 campaign. The fly-half suffered an injury to his right shoulder in August while playing for South Africa in the Tri-Nations and isn’t expected to return to action until November.
Widely-regarded as one of the Aviva Premiership’s most influential players, James is a key player for Bath, who reached the play-off semi-finals last season. And now Bath are seeking financial compensation from the South African Rugby Union (SARU) to refund the club’s expenses.
“We think we’re entitled to some sort of compensation,” Nick Blofeld, Bath’s chief executive, said in The Times. “We’re looking for medical expenses – we think it is only appropriate.”
Injuries have hampered James’ Bath career since he arrived at the Recreation Ground in 2007. Persistent knee problems have seen the South African undergo a total of five significant operations.
But Bath have stuck by the 31-year-old because of his undoubted quality. They know they have a match-winner in their ranks, and will welcome him back with open arms in November.
In the meantime, though, their quest for compensation from the SARU continues.
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