This past week we have yet again been enlightened as to the ultimate agenda that is driving sport and therefore rugby in South Africa. There has never been any doubt in my mind or the minds of countless others that there is a definite target that the government is aiming at. That target involves the systematic transformation of rugby in South Africa.

That is not to say that there are not similar efforts being undertaken in other sports. Rugby however, was the real symbol of apartheid sport in South Africa. Forget about the cricket saga of the late 60’s and early 70’s; that was cosmetic compared to the control over rugby, exercised by the Government and their watchdog, the Broederbond. The fact that we are hearing the same cries from disadvantaged communities today; as we heard from the English speaking South Africans in the 70’s should not surprise us. 

There is absolutely no doubt that there is a large economically and thus socially disadvantaged majority in South Africa, the government has done a fantastic job of cosmetically addressing the imbalances in South African society, without necessarily changing the status quo. The “leaderless” majority of the 70’s has a dictatorial minority and nothing short of an election miracle will change that.

What does all this mean for rugby in South Africa? I think that the words spoken by our erstwhile leader at the recent sports awards function, provides succinct clarity.

“There is an abundance of talent through the length and breadth of this country, in our villages, in our cities, to be unearthed and developed. I often think about how much more successful we can be as a nation in the international sporting arenas if we were able to draw our athletes from 100% of our population, rather than from just 20% or 30%. A bigger resource pool must surely mean a more united South African front, keener competition and, therefore, higher levels of performance. I am aware that several national federations have signed performance agreements on representivity in their teams with Minister Balfour. I am keen to find out whether they have lived up to those contracts and, indeed, what new targets they have set for themselves in the year ahead.”

Wise words indeed, spoken like a true politician. The only problem is that there is no barometer to measure success, other than the transformation goals. It is like a game of heads and tails, heads you win, tails you lose, that is if you happen to be in the role of coach/administrator and also player.

The direction is clear. South Africa has multitudes of talent and the government in preoccupied with statistics around “colour”. The fact that they have done us a favour to call it representivity is an insult to educated men and women in South African and around the world. I wonder how many of the disadvantaged dwellers in the slums and shanty towns of South Africa will ever experience the joy of representing their country. I hope for the sake of South Africa that there is a multitude of Pele’s and Maradonna’s out there, because the government needs you to back up their statistics package.

A bigger resource pool should equate to increased representation, but to assume that this leads to better performance is highly controversial. Focusing on one side of the equation to the detriment of the other may also lead to decreased sponsorship, decreased facilities and poorer results. 

The African continent is full of talent; the only problem is that the leaders are obsessed with economic and political power, just like their colonial rulers. 

I think it is a blessing that countries like Namibia, Kenya and Zimbabwe, to name but a few are still able to put a rugby team of some competitiveness onto the filed of play, I hope South Africa will be able to do the same. 

If we are able to do this, it will be a tremendous achievement, it will take courage and commitment from the very people that are trying to run sports in South Africa today, they may well expect more direction, target’s and support from the government, but if the President is as vague as he appears to be, do not expect words of wisdom from any of his “cloans”.

des@rugbyforum.co.za

Join the SARUGBY news and discussion group for the fastest sarugby news and the most intense debates around the South African game. Send a blank email to sarugby-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

The Super 12 competition may be billed as the most exciting and toughest competition in the world however this writer begs to differ. Round three of matches produced easy wins for all the top teams and there were bonus points galore, an indication of poor defences and a rift in standards. 

The Australians are performing very well and the general organization of their three teams smack of professionalism, preparation and willingness to play an attractive brand of running rugby. This is not an ode to the men from Oz, look at the facts, two teams at the top of the log including perennial under achievers the Waratahs with three away victories on the trot (surely a record for any Australian side) and the Reds in sixth place they are well placed to dominate the competition.

The Brumbies at this moment are beyond compare, they seem to be better than last year with less stereo typed “league style” running but more thinking football, Pat Howard has a lot to do with this. The forwards have taken a step up in personal skills and there is never a problem if Gregan is not at his post or with delicate chip kicks over rushing defences. This team has phenomenal handling skills and their running out of depth, at speed is textbook stuff.

The New Zealanders have two struggling teams in the Hurricanes and Chiefs, the Hurricanes were poor against the Stormers and the presence of All Black test stars did nothing to inspire an ill-disciplined team. This is not a new problem however in the past the brilliant form of Cullen, Lomu, Alatini and Umaga caused many a team to fall short against them – these “stars” are not playing very good rugby so for a team reliant on them it is disastrous situation.

The Crusaders and the Highlanders are made of sterner stuff and their displays so far make them serious contenders for a title. Particularly impressive is Laurie Mains’ men from Otago, their systematic destruction of the Cats massive forwards proved many a barroom point about size against strength and technique. The Crusaders, inspired by good forwards and the presence of Andrew Mehrtens have a superstar in the making with Aaron Mauger – this guy can play!

This brings us to the South African sides they are not having a happy time in Australasia or in South Africa for that matter. The Stormers was involved in a close match against the log leaders last week but proved their class in a good win over mediocre opponents – but you still need to go out and put the points on the board and they did a thoroughly professional job of it.

The Bulls do not deserve a mention, all patience has run out and quite simply they are a waste of time and effort to write about.

The Cats and Sharks played top opposition however there was a massive difference in their play, the Sharks played reasonably well and their spirited defence should be commended. They need to hold the ball in hand longer and create more multiple phases – they did it once and Terblanche scored an easy try. The step up for youngsters like Kruger and Keil was huge and the depth in the Sharks midfield will be stretched with Snyman’s injury.

The Cats are finding it difficult to cope and yes they have injury problems but they always knew that and the youngsters must begin to stick up their hands or rather stick them out and hang on to those passes. Basic errors cost them again and they looked very under coached and one-dimensional.

Criticism is easy but then so is praise but with the difference in standards as it is in this year’s competition, all the pre-tournament talk about expanding the Super 12 will be an ill judged decision. 

What is there to look forward to this weekend? The South African sides may yet record only one victory, at best two. The Sharks will fancy their chances of uprooting a struggling Hurricanes outfit that jetted back during the week and should target this match for a full collection of points. They need to attack the Hurricanes’ forwards and spread the ball wide to the likes of Terblanche, Kayser and Swart. Kruger must improve his goal kicking – he has the talent, it is all about concentration and application.

The Cats will find the going tough against the pace setting Waratahs who should prove too good in their own backyard despite traveling back from SA. The Cats need to change status quo and try Andre Pretorius from the start and provide him and strong runners like Hall and Lombaard with some much needed ball to score tries. It is a pity that the exciting Bobo is injured – he was having a sparkling tournament.

The Stormers will face their toughest assignment to date against the Highlanders. Many will remember the semi-final when the Stormers lost comprehensively after an excellent showing in the competition. The Highlanders have therefore no fear or intimidation of Newlands, sometime a huge factor in favour of the home team. This will be a forward battle par excellence and with both sides sporting brilliant backs it could be a festival of running rugby.

The Brumbies have a nice little warm up in Pretoria before facing the Stormers next week. 

The best clashes of the weekend will be the Stormers/Highlanders and the Reds/Crusaders matches and they should provide some scintillating football for every supporter of rugby to enjoy.

mark@rugbyforum.co.za

Rugby Forum Super 12 XXII

1. Bill Young (Brumbies)
2. Jeremy Paul (Brumbies)
3. Greg Somerville (Crusaders)
4. Justin Harrison (Brumbies)
5. Hottie Louw (Stormers)
6. George Smith (Brumbies)
7. Owen Finnegan (Brumbies)
8. Toutai Kefu  (Reds)
9. George Gregan (Brumbies)
10. Stephen Larkham
11. Graeme Bond (Brumbies)
12. Aaron Mauger (Crusaders)
13. Matt Burke (Waratahs)
14. Jeff Wilson (Highlanders)
15. Percy Montgomery (Stormers)

16. Greg Feek (Crusaders)
17. Anton Oliver (Highlanders)
18. Daniel Vickerman (Brumbies)
19. Corne Krige (Stormers)
20. Johannes Conradie (Stormers)
21. Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies)
22. Matt Rogers (Waratahs)

"If the bloke was not showing promise we wouldn't take the punt."      Bob Dwyer on Mat Rogers before the competition.

I look at Colin Meads and see a great big sheep farmer who carried the ball in his hands as though it was an orange pip.     Bill McLaren

When overseas teams tour South Africa we treat them like gods. We seem afraid of upsetting them. But they feel nothing for us when we go overseas.      Rudolf Straeuli

I'm Afrikaans speaking but for the sake of all my fellow rugby "crazy heads" I'll do this in a language understood by everyone. See, the same goes for rugby. The basics is understood by all.

First of all I wish to mention that I 100% agree with TOM MARCELLUS about his piece in the 
Volume 2 week 5 edition of Rugby Forum "You can call me Mister Straeuli" - Tom, please become Springbok coach because you are a legend mate. What you say is so true. Hope Straeuli read this!

Adding to Tom's posting, I wish to suggest to all my fellow rugby "crazy heads" to watch the Brumbies next time against the Sharks. Look I do not like them at all but there is ONE thing they do that was taught to us on Primary School level and that is to receive the ball at speed - from the flyhalf to centre to centre to wing. Look at the Brumbies, they do that 9 out of 10 times and what happens? They run rings around their opposition but not only that, once tackled (50 meters later by the way!) the ball comes out lightning fast again while the opposition is still wondering where the hell or what the hell to do? See my point?

Look at our halfbacks - how many times has the ball been taken form our own rucks being available, but where is the halfback? the ball is available but it seems nobody wants it and then comes the opposition and says: "thank you! If we can do this too, with forward play and a running backline, all hell will break loose! 

Forget this "poefter" type rugby of these days, just forget it, it's confusing all. Get back to the basic rugby play - forwards and a backline. Forget the rest. JUST DO IT for heavens sake!

Ja well no fine!
FRANS.

Thanks for the Brilliant! reviews and views expressed in this forum.

I read this week's forum and everybody seems to focus on Super 12. This is fair. I suppose this is one of the most prestigious rugby competitions in the world. It is just a pity that SA's teams can't seem to make it with the big boys!

Stormers - It is very obvious that they miss the likes of Braam van Straaten, Robbie Fleck etc. Last year Braam could kick them to a win. This year they are also struggling because of the lack of a trustworthy kicker. Good luck to them. They seem to be the strongest of our four teams.

Cats - Again they disappoint. Their win over the Bulls was not that great as expected. With all the names in their team, you can't help but wonder what will happen if they get it right.

Sharks - Seems that they forgot how to swim. They are most probably our strongest team. You can't help but wonder if Straeuli leaving them does not have something to do with it. I hope the Sharks can get a good coach to pick up the pieces. Snyman and Terblanché are showing sparkles of brilliance again. Good for them.

Bulls - The underprivileged team in the Super 12. They always seem to have to build a new team each year. What bothers me about the Bulls, is that they use the Blue Bulls as the core of their Super 12 squad. Unfortunately this does not seem to work for them. They have very good talent with their Vodacom cup team. Maybe Heyneke must mix the experience that they have, with the raw talent that he has got in the Cup team. Jacques Olivier, Joggie Viloen, Derrick Grobbelaar, even Dan van Zyl, can give him the balance that he needs in the team. Chris le Roux is good player, but not a Super 12 captain. They have nothing to loose and
everything to gain. GO BULLS!!!

I hope this weekend is better for SA Rugby. Thanks again for the Forum.

C Dippenaar

The Stormers lost Kempson, Marais, van der Linde, Skinstad, De Kock, van Straaten, Paulse all test players as well as Rossouw and Dixon who are midweek players to injury. The Cats lost 3 test players to injury the rest left their provinces and country for various reasons - hardly worth comparing isn't it?

Here we go again. 

I was an avid Sharks supporter, but another "maak sag" game-plan has turned me away completely:

"Okay Boys! We're up against the Brumbies this week so let's try to intimidate them and tackle the moer out of them and surely by half time they'll be willing to throw in the towel. And just remember: this is a new plan now. We have never targeted Larkham before so let's remember what our injured comrade in arms told us: "when in doubt, clothesline the buggers! Oh, and there's this new guy now ... George Smit or Smith ... you'll recognise him by his hair, and when you see him pull his hair, Guys! PULL IT!"

The Stormers are the most exciting team in SA Rugby because they play the game with passion. They have flair, and it doesn't involve smashing the other team to ribbons before scoring points. They score points just by attacking!

Get back to what you know is Rugby, Sharks! With players like Thinus, Justin Swart, Andre Snyman, Stefan Terblanche, Deon Kayser and Craig Davidson in your backs, the flair is abundant. There is hardly a more skilled and impressive backline in the game! Play with confidence. Try everything you can. Run them ragged, but with the ball in hand. And please don't be selfish. It doesn't matter who scores the try and no single person is going to push Owen Finegan over the line on his own!

The SA Rugby Public are desperate to see you perform to your abilities.

Philip

Dear Ed.

Thanks for some interesting and honest opions. It seems to me that all our sports are in freefall and it makes one cynical and despondent. My biggest concern is for the players, do they continue because of the money or do they genuinely believe that they can avoid further humiliation ? I dont know if I can watch week after week of this second class ability by our players (Stormers aside at the moment) Is there any one out there who can see a silver lining to SA Sport in General and rugby in particular?

G Fanning

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