When the franchises for the new Super 14 were made known, I got the feeling that the SA Rugby Football Union (SARFU) missed an opportunity. Yes there is still deliberation as to who should really made up the five teams that will be representing SA in this murderous tournament, but there was another way to go.
The first thing was to restructure the current set up and so incorporating all the “lost-in-the-cold” unions like Eastern Province as well. Anyway, that is not what I am on about. I would rather tackle the issue of transformation in SA rugby.
The whole concept of transformation is a sore point in SA rugby and there are two definite sides of the fence, with a little bit in the middle. No, this is nothing dirty, just stupid politics! Before I can continue with any further concept, let’s get one thing straight. Do not tell me that we must make sports decisions without politics getting involved! That cannot and will not happen. Politics is very much part of sport, especially where you sit in a situation where politics played a part to prevent certain people from representing their country. We have seen sports boycotts against countries turn the political will of the people as it is an extremely powerful place to hurt a nation. Effect the sport and you touch the heart. Just think of the mood of a nation when your national team lost badly. You can feel it in the streets and see it in their eyes.
When the old SA government made the decision not to allow black sportsman representation in SA National sides, they cemented political involvement in sport for the next century and the inequality will not be removed by a short term quota system. That is where the concept of transformation comes from. Transformation is not about chasing numbers – that is quotas – but rather the process where opportunities are created to allow people the natural growth into the correct structures. Unfortunately that will often lead to something that resembles more a quota system if it is not managed correctly.
That is about where SA rugby is finding them. In 1992 SARFU was created to unify rugby of all races under a single banner. A blueprint was also placed on the table to adhere to the government request that rugby should reflect the population. No concrete plans were made and that forced the power to be to enforce a quota system on junior levels. This has been very widely criticized, but it meant that we in SA won the u/19 World Cup with a team that consisted of 50% black players! Not bad for people who were always told by the whites “cannot play rugby”. Like a very famous ex Springbok and now doctor once said, blacks cannot see three dimensional and have no ball sense. Really hogwash if I ever heard it!
The transformation process is slow and our senior coaches (Super 12 and provincial) are not showing and interest to really do something about it. To prove that, I can use the following examples from the 2005 season thus far; Solly Tyibilika played in the last two test for the Springboks and had upstanding matches. Yet, he could not get a Super 12 contract this year. Sarfu had to step in to ensure that he plays for the Sharks. There he sat on the bench for most of the season. Lawrence Sephaka is a correct Springbok reserve prop. He was in the Cats squad and has only taken the field about twice this year with only one start. Jonghi Nonkwe was picked as a talented youngster to gain experience in the national set up. Yet, no Super 12 franchise has a place for one of the quickest wings in the world. Tim Dlulani was picked in the Bok squad last year after an excellent season with the Pumas and yet cannot find a place – not even on the bench between the top 120 players in the country! None of the above makes any sense!
That brings me to the missed opportunity!
In order to ensure that the black players get a chance to prove themselves on the highest level, I recommend that we select a black rugby team for the Super 12! A team that consists of only black players and that can be used against touring sides and maybe even tour on their own, just like the New Zeeland Maori’s. This team will then have the first pick of any black player in the country, but the current Super 12 teams have to maintain their transformation goals. That will in effect mean that we will now have a squad of 28 plus and additional 20 black players involved in the Super 14, much better than the current Super 12.
Let’s have a look at the player available. Please note that this is a quick list (Springboks and or Super 12 players mostly) and not something that I have investigated in depth – it is just per illustration:
Fullback: Conrad Jantjes
Wing: Breyton Paulse, Ashwin Willemse, Tonderai Chanvanga, Eddie Fredericks, Akona Ndugwane, Odwa Ndugwane, Trompie Ntsinga, Jonghi Nonkwe, Wylie Human, Chumani Booi, Cedric Mkhize
Centre: Gcobani Bobo, Adriaan Jacobs, Bryan Habana, Wayne Julies, Deon Kayser, Dewey Swartbooi,
Flyhalf: Kennedy Tsimba
Scrumhalf: Bolla Conradie, Enrico January, Norman Jordaan,
Loose forwards: Solly Tyibilika, Tim Dlulani, Wayne van Heerden, Dawie Hendricks
Locks: Quinton Davids
Front Row: Eddie Andrews, Lawrence Sephaka, Guthro Steenkamp, Ettienne Fynn
Hookers: Hanyani Shimange
There are a number more that can still make the fold and a long list of provincial players. Remember then to include the new up and coming start like the hooker Chillyboy Raphele and Isamel Dolly and you start buklding a very good side. Something that will show the talent of black players and prove to the world that they can stand there man at any level. Something we have seen individuals do in the last couple of seasons.
I think, that will be a step in the right direction.
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