The Western Province and Stormers full-back announced his international retirement on Monday when he asked to be omitted from Sunday's Springbok trials.

Montgomery, the second highest points scorer in South African Test history, admitted he wanted to continue his career abroad.

But his agent, Craig Livingstone, claims the drive to fast-track black players into the national team is threatening the careers of white players.

Livingstone told the Afrikaans newspaper Die Burger: "The quota system definitely influenced his decision.

"There are two black full-backs (Ricardo Loubscher and Conrad Jantjes) who are currently competing for the Springbok berth with Montgomery.

"The coaches are under great pressure to accommodate black players and it was unlikely that Percy would have been selected ahead of them."

The claims were rejected out of hand however by Straeuli, who is finalising his side to play Wales on 8 June.

"It is a sad excuse when a player, through his agent, blames transformation for a move overseas," Straeuli said in a statement.

"The player is going because of the cash incentive. He told me as much. He wants the financial security that he feels the English pound will give him.

"All three would have been at the trials. Montgomery was to have been selected on his Super 12 form. He opted out of the trial.

"It (the claim) is a cheap shot. I am under no pressure to pick black players as Bok coach. My responsibility is that I have to look beyond just white players."

South African rugby has formal quotas for black players at all levels except at Super 12 and international level.

A gentleman's agreement operates in the Super 12 which requires each side to field at least two black players.

There is also an unspoken understanding that the Springboks will not field an all-white side and have not done so for three years.