What could be better than a double Super 14-semi weekend in South Africa? An all South Africa final in Soweto of course!
I am not one for fake or plastic marketing campaigns like the one currently on the go with the theme; “The Bulls in the Hood”.
Neither am I convinced that moving the game to Soweto for the semi-finals (and possible final) will do that much for rugby amongst black people in this country either.
After-all, the move was not conceived through an idea or some outreach or development program with honest intentions at heart, it was necessary because the game of roundball has turned our country upside down.
What does excite me however is the fact the rugby supporting and playing public will be removed from their perceived comfort zones and shown how the beautiful game of rugby union can cross all boundaries where success is not necessarily restricted to the tried and tested, the known or our own perceived fortresses, but that it belongs to all South Africans.
Although we all share a common passion for the game of rugby union, there still exist a sense of entitlement and ownership amongst a large portion of the supporting and playing public.
To this day when a traditionally white club has to travel to a traditionally coloured or black club, plans are made with military precision on how big the travelling convoy will be, what times you plan to enter and exit said warzones and contingency plans, if necessary, are formulated. Similarly, the other way around plans are made for how you will get the back-up regiments on location to provide support in numbers because it is still, us versus them even though we all just play the game.
I know this because I have been in both camps, and it would have been bloody funny if it was not so bloody sad.
Of course this is not just a rugby thing, it is a South African thing – we simply hate leaving our comfort zones.
It robs us of so much though.
The times when these perceptions were changed, when I saw and insisted that the team stays for a drink with their opposite number, share a Boerie Roll afterwards and talk about their heroes (this was at club level) and their teams they support the brotherhood of rugby shone through. Friendships were forged, perceptions rubbished, all through the common passion we all share, the game of rugby union.
So as much as I cannot get myself to thank the Blue Bulls Rugby Union for moving the game to Soweto since they were actually forced to do so, I must commend the union and the players for embracing this situation creating an expectation of awe around the event, not forgetting the supporters who have sold out the stadium within hours getting into the hype themselves.
A lot of perceptions will be rubbished this weekend when Soweto welcomes the Bulls and their supporters with open arms, and the only thing left for me to ask, is for both our teams to win their respective games, and have the final for the premier rugby tournament in the world, to be hosted in Soweto. And who better to host it than the two traditional powerhouses of SA Rugby!
Make us proud.
SHOW DEM….SHOW DEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOU DIE BLOU…NOW IS THE HOUR!!!!!!
@ grootblousmile:
Thanks GBS
90 @ Morné:
Ek verstaan jou punt, en hoewel ek dink die “oppervlakkige” “hype” gaan great wees, en dit gaan ‘n moerse experience wees om by
Orlando te wees vir dievolgende week of twee bly die vraag watter invloed dit gaan he oor die leng termyn….
Ek lees wonderlikr dinge raak, soos dat restuarante in die omgewing vol bespreek is en almal uitsien na alles…
As dit ‘n blywende impak gehad het, sou dit ‘n maand na die tyd dieselfde gewees het….
Maak nie saak wie is reg of verkeerd bie, daar is nog baie werk om te doen !!!!!!!
Lekker aand almal.
Goeie bl!ksem, Puma is weg maar het sy Spelling (disleksie) aan ons agter gelaat !!! 😆
REMARKABLE ARTICLE – well written Morne, you are my next most favoured Saffa.
You point out the real qualities of our game; the WIN is certainly one thing we all yearn for, but, as I have suggested on RT on numerous occasions, SA rugby would benefit from playing the ball more and not so much the man. In particular, I mean your article mentions the time spent with opposition players after the match; the camaraderie that ensues is what makes our game; players should seek out each other and contribute to the rich tapestry that stays with you for life; it’s a cross-polenation of attitudes and cultures. The content of your article is uplifting and I now find myself in an invidious situation whereby I, too, want to see the final played at Orlando, but that would mean the despatch of my beloved Waratahs? Nonetheless, the question arises ‘does the end justify the means’? Well, for the common good, yes, it may in this instance! As for the possibility that this is just plastic marketing? Well, it’s better than NO marketing.
I commend your observations, Morne, to one and all on RT and I support your spoken and unspoken sentiments 100%.
As an aside and thanks to the wonderful technological world we live in, from Sydney, I’ve looked at Orlando Stadium on Google Earth – playing there is a truly exciting concept. I hope the crowd enjoys an exciting game of rugby.
GBS @ 82 such a positive post, mate, well done. It pains me to say this, but Go the Bulls and Go the Stormers (sigh) [Oh my poor Tahs!]. The match is played at the ungodly hour of 1 am local time, but because of what I read on RT today, I feel it is going to be a watershed moment for rugby, so I had better plan to get outta bed and watch it!
Your brother sounds like an amazing individual, best wishes to him with his studies. Taking the time to learn someone else’s language is one of the greatest marks of respect you can make.
@ Morné:
Hi Morne, I understand your concern and it is a good article written from your pessimistic perspective. And you have valid reasons for feeling about it the way you do. I am an optimist therefore automatically disagreeing with your take on things. It’s our prerogative to do so, its just a blog after all.
I am also a big fan of your articles. Enjoy the rugby today; it’s going to be massive. I can’t wait.
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