Springbok Rugby Selectors, Coach and Players Throw SA Fans a Dummy

By Wren Mast-Ingle on www.mi5.co.za

South African rugby selectors, coach Heyneke Meyer and his ‘boys’ have thrown rugby fans and sadly the media a perfect dummy.

The press this week criticized and praised various aspects of the Australian game from the Boks plan to its execution as well as the referee. Fans…all of whom fancy themselves as ‘armchair’ critics…and why not; frothed at the mouth at the loss pretty much as they passionately celebrate a win for the country on another occasion.

But herein lays the anomaly. To set the scene, one must go back to 1949 when Fred Allen’s All Blacks toured South Africa and Rhodesia, while putting it into perspective from my point-of-view as my first test match as a spectator at Ellis Park.

Subsequent reports on the tour pointed to South Africa having ‘perfected a scientific, ruthless game based on giant forwards who used the scrum as an attacking weapon with a succession of fly halves, notably Bennie Osler, who kicked repeatedly for territory. SA had a clean sweep.’

Not much has changed today in our approach…on the surface. However motivation to play for the Boks seems different. More than half a century ago there was an unrelenting determination by individuals with a vision of donning the hallowed jersey. A passion and pride in jogging onto the field to defend the record and hold the country’s name on high. It was the culmination of a journey demanding self-sacrifice with demands on time, money and effort. It was a personal investment in honour not unlike the knights of old and one demanding playing and financing this commitment from the player’s own pocket.

Rugby in South Africa now is a business. SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd is the company (profits of R34-million in 2011) with the players and referees the employees in broad terms structured as a union. SARU, originally called the South African Rugby Football Union, was established in 1992 following the unification of the former whites-only South African Rugby Board (SARB) and the non-racial South African Rugby Union.

As all good businesses it has a skills development plan that factors in both the need for transformation and the identifying of talent at the earliest possible time. It also faces the usual hurly-burly of everyday business such as being taken to court over contracts (Matfield for one).

Here is where the motivational pathways of the old and new have parted company. The lure of fame and fortune beckons every able-bodied youth in the country. The Bok jersey is a ticket to stardom and security for the brave and the bold. This vision has spawned a nation of young men fuelled by growth supplements to bolster bank balances while shaking hands with the men who rule the world.

And in a magnificently orchestrated spin-doctoring strategy, those pulling the strings cover the process in thick layers of patriotism, emotional commitment and idol worshiping. Ralph Stanforth in his brilliant piece aimed at positioning Meyer beyond criticism says: ‘Head up, face pointed resolutely toward the heavens, eyes tightly shut and arms proudly at his side. It’s a picture that screams passion, commitment and sheer love of country.’ To which should be added ‘and give us our due’.

Unfortunately there is this growing tendency among rugby writers to favour players and teams in a trend that follows that inherent among motoring journalists who are feted with overseas tours and other sweeteners in the hope of good reviews. Sports business strategists and consultants add their weight to this influence. There is nothing untoward here…simply part and parcel of business as it is conducted in the arena today.

The pundits have offered a plethora of reasons for the Boks poor showing in recent years. These include inability our coaches and players (Lions excepted) to adapt the traditional ten-man game plan so successful in the amateur era to the modern game and where both the Aussies and All Blacks are so successful; the implementation of the racial quota system and the introduction of neutral refereeing.

I would like to add a controversial point to these and to do so I must unfortunately pick on one player. (The intention of this article is to be unemotional and offer a solution). There is no doubt that Riaan Pienaar carries a jinx factor. There is nothing wrong with his game which has been applauded overseas yet the Boks lose more often with him at 9 than with any other scrumhalf. Here is another dimension that should be addressed.

Finally to the solution.

The game of rugby is today administered on business principles. The company, the union and the revenue. It is big business. So treat the coaches and players as employees. Take away the emotion in dealings. Pay the players what is due them and punish them when they make a mistake. Against the Australians, for example, it was unforgiveable that an experienced professional misses touch in the dying moments of the game resulting in a loss for the team. Fire him or at least put him on hold without pay to ensure reflection and time to hone both his concentration and skills. Punish the referee for his blatant errors and put the coach on a cautionary for the poor kicking strategy.

After all we are talking about a business here and if the motivation is money and fame rather than personal passion and patriotism, there must be a quid pro quo…and something any business with good governance would do.

The shareholders in this process are the fans occupying seats in the stadium and the millions with eyes glued to the TV that ensure rich rewards to the company and players alike. Make these followers of the game genuine stakeholders instead of living off their backs. Divert part of the multi-millions in profits from that abysmal pit of corporate and governments organisations to allowing everyone an affordable chance of attending a match, especially the youngsters to experience that thrill I had in 1949 watching the ‘Windhond’ in action among others when it cost me a tickey at the gate.

In forwarding this proposal I take into consideration the emphasis all rugby aficionados place on the role experience plays in a team. My experience, in all humility, covers 65 years of following the sport and enjoying the spectacle, the ecstasy of a win and the profound sense of loss in defeat. Nothing has changed from that momentous day in 1949. Thank you Basil Kenyon, Hennie Muller, Frik du Preez and all the heroes since then.