I cannot help but think that people misunderstand the importance of a franchise in the Eastern Cape and what it will do for transformation in the game of rugby.
I am not surprised however, transformation has grown over the years to be the most hated word amongst rugby supporters for the blatant window dressing it created amongst rugby unions and SA Rugby in large. This in itself can be laid in front of the door of SA Rugby’s administration but that is a discussion for another day.
A large portion of the blame can also go to the guys from the Eastern Cape themselves for continually punting the transformation line to give their cause (to establish a franchise) some form of credibility.
They have a point which I will illustrate a bit later but the way they ‘market’ the region for inclusion into the lucrative Super rugby structures has been done all wrong in my view.
Rugby is an elitist sport, enjoyed mostly by white South Africans. This is thanks largely to the history of our country in the isolation days but one should never blame the love for the game amongst predominantly white people on anything other than what it is, a way of life.
I, like many other white South Africans grew up with rugby from the day I could walk. It was a way of life. It dominated my home life, my social life (with friends and family) and even today, my professional life. From playing with my brothers, cousins (boys and girls), friends and mates in the afternoon, during breaks at school and of course, as a sport while I was in school.
Saturdays was all about rugby. We had knitted jerseys my mom made with our favourite players number on it, my parents friends came over, a braai would be lit, us kids would play rugby in the garden to the amusement of the parents and then everyone would sit in front of the TV when it was game time – it was about the only time the kids were allowed in front of the television in the house with the parents!
It formed part of who I was, my culture, it is what I associated with and felt comfortable with. I identified my heroes and dreamed of one day go and do what they do. I loved the game then, and I still do.
And it is in this where I believe people get it wrong on just what rugby could mean for the black population in South Africa if we do succeed in establishing a franchise in the Eastern Cape.
Although times have changed dramatically in the last 20 years, the traditional big 5 rugby unions does not have a large black supporter following. Apart from the Boland and Western Cape area black rugby struggles in most areas where there is little interest in the game.
The Eastern Cape has always been touted as the ‘base’ or ‘hub’ for black rugby players in South Africa, and rightly so, figures will show you that the biggest concentration of clubs and players are from this region.
Where the region or administration of this region fails in my view however is where they do not seem to recognise that creating a franchise will not magically see an influx of black players to top level rugby, nor will we suddenly see 9 black rugby players selected for the Boks within a year.
What we could however create for the guys here, is something they can associate themselves with. A team which becomes part of their lives, a culture. Where else should we create a culture or association for black people than right where they live? Where most of their ‘heroes’ play the game, a place which they call home, mine, ours.
The biggest transformation coup SA Rugby could wish to achieve will be for the people of the Eastern Cape to start associating themselves with a team, a region, a brand, and their own bunch of heroes competing against the best South Africa has to offer and possibly our Antipodean cousins.
Anyone who thinks the purpose of an Eastern Cape franchise is an immediate fix to increase black playing numbers at top level rugby is living in cuckoo land. Establishing a franchise in the Eastern Cape will in fact in my view, rid us of the social engineering and cosmetic application of transformation in rugby in South Africa, where players and supporters won’t join, follow and play the game for any other reason that they now can associate themselves with something, or someone.
The mechanics surrounding building a franchise is simple in my view and something we discussed many times. With the correct administration there should be no reason why the Eastern Cape cannot build a successful rugby franchise.
Our fanatical support for rugby was born out of a culture where rugby is a religion, we need to do the same with the Eastern Cape, but firstly we must give them something to play for.
hier is die ding wat my gat taai maak, die op was een van die top6 unies in die land MAAR dit is met swak admin in die grond in bestuur en nou wil hulle ‘n franchise verniet op ‘n skinkbord he.en as hulle dit nie kry nie wil hulle he een van die ander unies moet hulle sin afstaan.KAK jy moet ‘n franchise verdien.die soutern jokers sal met minstens 30 punte verloor teen enige van die s14 spanne.wat ek dus se is verdien daai franchise soos die ander en dan kan julle force daarvoor.
so as julle dit so graag wil he raak maar eers kompeterend in die cc
Se my gou…
As die Vrystaat nie n Super plek gekry et in 2006 nie, sou hulle vandag in die finaal gespeel het.
Sover ek kon aflei, wou die ouens in die Oos-Kaap nooit hand-outs he nie. hulle was baie bereid om hulle plek oop te speel.
Die vraag is; Hoekom het niemand hulle die kans gegee nie?
Ek sal hulle sterkte toewens en hoop hulle kry dit maar hulle moet ophou blame en begin skouer aan die wiel sit en dinge self laat gebeur. Regtig wat ons doen gaan hulle afskiet. Ek kan ook nie sien wat se baat hulle daaruit gaan kry as te veel goeie spelers ingevoer word nie, sal hulle hulself met daai spelers kan vereenselwig.
Maar sterkte.
Super.
Ek glo meer in die Kings as wat ek in WP Rugby glo…
Maar sal more uitbrei daaroor…
Vir nou, nag manne.
Ons Cheetahs het ‘n goeie verstandhouding met die Bulls manne. Ons het die verstand en hulle die houding…
Good article, lots of truths, although I can’t help but wonder if the average black man on the street actually cares at all. To me it is a racially driven concept created by politicians and administrators who could not care less about our beloved game. That is not a foundation for future success.
If a predominantly Afrikaans soccer team should suddenly arise from nowhere would you follow them? Apart from the obvious political outcry that will unquestionably follow, I’m absolutely certain that it would attract minimal attention.
As the article clearly underlines, this is a culture and we have heroes from the past ,like Frik du Preez and Danie Craven, dating back many, many decades.
It’s in our blood.
I’m not against the concept, but as I see it, this is a house built on the sand.
4@ Morne – Cheers Mnr Mier…. lekker aand
Eastern Province Rugby Union president Cheeky Watson has challenged the leadership of SA Rugby to show backbone in the bid to secure Super rugby for the Southern Kings.
“I am on record as having said from the start that it’s a waste of time to lodge an application as the chance of success is very small,” said Watson.
Watson, who is the driving force behind the Kings, said that it was SA Rugby’s decision to try and establish the Kings in the Australian conference of the competition.
“SA Rugby just wasted time and showed again that it is too afraid to make internal decisions. They should have fought from the start for a different format, but gave up too easily,” said Watson.
5@ Die Valk – Rugby is strong in the Eastern Cape rural communities… more so than soccer in many instances.
Watson did not want to confirm rumours that the matter could go to court and that he had already sought legal advice.
Rumours have it that the ruling of a court case between SA Rugby and the Southern Spears from a few years ago is still valid.
SA Rugby’s Presidents Council decided in 2005 that the Southern and Eastern Cape will get a franchise that would participate in Super rugby. However, SA Rugby turned its back on the Spears in 2006.
It was ruled in the Cape High Court that SA Rugby had to honour their agreement with the Southern and Eastern Cape.
Night all
Slaaptyd
10@superBul – Nag outoppie, lekker slaap.
Hi…have I left it too late?
Testing
Testing what??
I can see it by the way…….
You may wonder what ‘it’ is?
2nd Test
@carol: Testing Reply Features
@carol: See how it Indents Replies now?
Are you still there?
Is an indent a desirable feature? Hey what do I know about indents!!
Ask me one on nuclear physics?
How did you manage to get your 10.47 comment in after your 10.48 comment!!
20@Carol – Indents gone, Numbers back… Reply Button removed for now while we develop it…
***
So where did your indents go, they have gone again?
OK..
21@ Carol…. by Magic… hehehe
Verdomp. Kom ons kyk gou daarna. Natal Rugby, relegasie, Doc Craven. Currie Cup Kampioene.
2009, Grikwas doen goed in die Currie Beker, kompetisie is meer opwindend.
Saru moet die Kings ‘n kans gee, maar kom ons laat vaar vir eers die Super rugby idiee. Stig die franchise, gee hulle ‘n versekerde plek in die Currie Beker. AS hulle regtig so baie geld het, kan hulle goeie toeristing, ‘n afrigtings en bestuur-span, asook spelers mos maklik koop. As hulle suksesvol kan wees op S14 vlak, kan hulle seker vertroue he in hul vermoe om CB te speel. Buitendien, sal hulle nie die SWD Valke, OP en Grens insluit nie? (nie seker nie, kan iemand my se). Baie mense kan kla en se, ja maar wat van die relegasie ect, ect. Nee, relegasie is steeds daar. En van die spanne wat hul pad na bo moet speel, word nou net saam gegooi in een span wat steeds, soos almal, kan uitspeel vir relegasie.
Dan het jy 6-7 spanne wat elke naweek kan kompeteer, niks meer van hierdie easy walk over K*K nie. Ek soek ‘n taai, tawwe, rowwe, geen waarborge Currie Beker, al verloor die WP, dis goed vir SA, plaaslik en internationaal. En ek dink dis eers hier, voor in die Super 14/15/26, wat die Kings hulself kan vestig, bewys, en kan bydra. Laat die franchise eers vir al die kinkels uit sorteer. Maar laat hulle net eers ‘n paar jaar CB speel. Die geld, fasiliteiete, spelers, rugby skole, en belang (soortvan) is daar. En as hulle net vir dieselfde opwinding en intensiteit kan sorg as wat die Kwas ons vanjaar gegee het, by all means!
Top 8
Bulle, Cheetahs, Grikwas, Kings, Lions, Sharks, WP
en nog een span vir relegasie. En dit was alfabeties, koelit Bulle :glimlaggie:
@ morne if they can play there way up from the first div up to the premiere div as a union NOT a region.and if they can make it to the semi,then they can challange for a spot.all i want is fairness to be the judge of it all.they must earn it
#4, Morne.
Baie intressante opmerking. En op ‘n paar maniere kan ek sien wat jy bedoel. En selfs ‘n bbietjie saam stem. As ek jou opinie moet interpreteer sou ek se dat dit is omdat die Kings nou hard aan die werk is om als reg te doen, want anders kan hulle dalk nooit eers bestaan, of bestaan het nie.
Wp aan die ander hand, coast nogal lekker op hul reputasie. WP moet weer begin speel asof daar geen mor is nie. Het dit nou en dan die jaar in die CB gesien, maar nou ja.
Sien uit om jou opinie hieroor te lees.
Dankie vir die great artikel!
#5 Valk
Broer, I don’t know whether you have ever visited the beautiful Transkei, but from your post I reckon maybe you haven’t.
I posted on some thread here on R-T (some time ago now – I remember Pietman responded) about the Morgan Bay hotel being packed out by the locals (and they sure ain’t white folks!) to watch the Boks play Italy. The Soweto derby i.e. Chiefs vs Bucs was on that same day, but do you think the locals were interested in the soccer? No way…the rugby came first!! And they sure knew their rugby….
There is a South Africa that lives and breathes way beyond the narrow confines of the tv remote in the white man’s hand.
You’re still young enough, go find it broer and tell your friends.
fender @29
True.
Lots of passionate young black rugby suppporters in the EC en KZN.
Their own franchise down there would be heaven sent.
But they must get people like TonyM and those to manage the business, sponsors, etc.
Perhaps privatise and bring in SWD.
Dunno….lots of politics involved as well, complicated business this ….
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