Editors Note

At the centre of many debates around transformation in sport is the “means and ends” debate. Put simply the concept has it’s origins in the political philosophies of Karl Marx and the neo Marxist movements that followed him. 

It is not my intention to bore readers with a philosophical approach to the weekly article, but perhaps it can shed some light on the events that are surrounding the current status quo in South African rugby. The concept oscillates between two fundamental principles, that on the one hand the end result justifies the means that are instituted to achieve it and on the other hand, that the very means employed will have an impact on the results being aimed for.

In the highly charged political environment of South African rugby we are faced with the ongoing debate around transformation of the sport at an administrative and participative level. Many of the administrators in rugby are motivated to change only because there is a penalty for failing to do so, hence the concept of fixed quotas as a key component of the transformation process. Without these quotas it is highly unlikely that several of the rugby unions would have changed at all. The quota system is then seen as a positive means of bringing about the ultimate transformation of the game.

The politicians in South Africa are often motivated by their ability to sell a final solution to the electorate. South Africa is in the somewhat tragic situation of having a government that is unlikely to be challenged for power by the political opposition. This enables many politicians to focus on the end result, without being too concerned about the impact of incremental events. In such situations the demands for change are at the forefront of their actions, that the end result of transformation is achieved is the ultimate prize and the consequences of poor selections and poor results are immaterial, because it simply makes no difference weather the loyal supporters of the game are affected by it.

It is no wonder that the administrators that attempt to run the various sporting codes in South Africa are bouncing off the walls like rubber balls. I do not envy the head of the South African Rugby Football Union or his counterpart in the cricket establishment.

They get hammered by the politicians, hammered by the press and the supporters and then if they are lucky, they get a telephone call from the one and only press secretary to the Minister of Sport.

Remaining motivated in such a situation is hardly expected and the results are going to suffer as a result. Fortunately there is light at the end of the tunnel. South Africa possesses if anything; a passionate obsession for sport and the culture of playing sport competitively has enabled us to remain competitive. The successes that we have had since returning from isolation have more to do with a passion to play than they do with the administrative sectors of the game. 

Clarity is everything in the current South African situation. The next time an administrator turns on the players and castigates them, he had better realize that the one thing keeping South African sports alive is the passion for playing. The quota system is a valuable piece of the transformation process as it is bringing forward players that are otherwise ignored, but the means in which it is done is farcical at times. 

How is it that the Sharks and Stormers are able to meet all their quota requirements and still perform on the field of play, the same cannot be said of the National team in cricket or rugby. The answer is clear, set the requirements and allow the people who run the game to manage their day to day affairs. I am personally sick and tired of hearing administrators blame the players for lack of motivation and a poor performance when they are anything but consistent.

Thank goodness we have coaches and players of ability who can survive in these troubled times. The transformation process must continue, that is the end objective, but the way in which it is done is going to affect the final outcome.

des@rugbyforum.co.za

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What a wonderful weekend of rugby, a cracker jack start to the Super 12 exceeded all expectation with tries aplenty and some dazzling display of skills, fitness and teamwork. The most impressive performances were undoubtedly from the New Zealand and Australian outfits, probably the reason why all the titles are shared between them!

The Northern Hemisphere in the guise of England set a standard a week ago that few thought possible to surpass however two matches were of infinite quality, the Crusaders/Highlanders and Brumbies/Reds clash. Not surprising the two champion sides overcame their opposition but the Crusaders were hard pressed by a strong showing from Laurie Main’s Highlanders. In a repeat of the NPC final the Highlanders put up a far more committed effort and was it not for the old maestro Mehrtens’ boot and the departu re of the brave Tony Brown the result would have been reversed. The Highlanders were clearly disappointed as they rued missed opportunities.

The other brilliant match was a Brumbies victory over a marvelous Reds team, the size of the victory as in most matches against the Brumbies did not reflect the Reds’ effort accurately. The champions remain a well-drilled team who with the superb organizing skills of Gregan and Larkham will be hard beat for a second title. The changing of coach and departure of key players like Joe Roff seemed to make no difference. The Reds proved a bit of a revelation as the try of the tournament suggested a more o pen pattern than previous years when Latham finished an inspiring run by fit-again Ben Tune. 

The Brumbies and Crusaders are leading the charge with a rampant, resurgent Blues team following in their wake but how did the South African sides perform? There were two local derbies and in a repeat of the Currie Cup final an injury depleted Stormers outfit confounded belief by yet again beating the Sharks with a supreme second half effort after trailing by what most thought was a match-winning margin. The Sharks have only themselves or rather their kickers to blame as a lackluster display in this department cost them the match - Gaffie Du Toit’s been called upon countless times to prove his BMT, maybe it is time to realise and accept he has none and move on.

Take nothing away from the Stormers, inspired by Pieter Rossouw, the “men in white” displayed all the qualities vacuum packed in their skipper, Corné Krige. Brave, ingenious and with an iron determination the Stormers succeeded in pulling off a very important away win. A lot has been said of the display of Johannes Conradie, let us not heap to much pressure on some very young shoulders but nobody can wish for a better debut in the Super 12 than his display on Friday night. He is a conventional scrumh alf with obvious talent yet possesses the vision and the pluck to attempt and succeed with a drop goal from the base of a maul. The Stormers need to capitalise on the confidence factor especially with a few home games on the trot.

The other big South African match produced very little in fact it was reasonably tight at the end but too many errors made this the weakest match of the weekend. There were of course highlights but mostly individual brilliance from the likes of Gcobani Bobo, the three try hero of the Cats sent a clear signal to the future Springbok coach and selectors that he should be included as a merit player and none of the quota bollocks. The Bulls were once again dreadful in the kicking department and they look ed slightly under prepared for the occasion which is a surprise after all the good things everyone was led to believe before the start of the competition. I guess nothings changed.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend of rugby and week 2 will undoubtedly provide for some mouth watering match ups. The pick of the weekend’s full round of matches will be the Reds/Blues clash, both teams are in good nick and full of running so expect a host of tries. The Sharks are facing an acid test in the House of Pain against the Highlanders who will be like a bear with a sore tooth after the narrow defeat against the Crusaders. Rudolph Straeuli’s team may live to regret their first round loss as a punishing overseas schedule will make it difficult too win more than 50% of their games in Australasia and then its an uphill battle to the semi-finals.

The Cats face the Brumbies and this might prove an embarrassing encounter against the champions if they play in similar vein as against the Bulls. There should not be an upset here as Gregan and his men are virtually indomitable on home ground but new coach; Frans Ludeke will do well to bring back a bonus point. The Bulls are playing the Hurricanes and for Heyneke Meyer and his team this must present an opportunity to record an elusive win over a team from New Zeeland. The Bulls need to tighten up th eir defence considerably as they will be up against world-class finishers in Cullen, Umaga et al. The forwards will need to dominate with Matfield contributing and a start for Danie Rossouw, if they can dominate the tight phases it is not too far-fetched a notion to record a victory at the high-altitude of Loftus Versfeld.

The Stormers at Newlands, once again an impressive home record should see the Sharks victors overcome the Waratahs who are notorious bad travellers. The New South Welshmen are on a high though after one away victory in New Zeeland and with the deadly accurate boot of Matt Burke the Stormers better not make any mistakes or leave it till late, Burke will not be as forgiving as Gaffie Du Toit. A fanatical crowd will boost the “men in black” and an almost full Newlands stadium is a sight to behold add th e “Slaptjips&Monty” factor and this will be a very entertaining match indeed.

The second round will find it hard to improve on the records set in the first with most teams aware of other’s strengths and weaknesses, video material and analysis will play a major part in defence patterns. The difference will always be individual brilliance, an ingredient jam-packed in the Super 12 series.

mark@rugbyforum.co.za

Week 1 - Opening Round Review

I can't believe that Australia and South Africa are pushing for a Super 14. New Zealand has the depth of players to field 5 complete sides, but South Africa clearly doesn't. That would explain why almost every year a South African side finishes at the bottom of the log. Australia is also a slightly different case because the three sides they do field are all competitive and almost never finish near the bottom, but Rugby Union is not even close to being the national sport in a nation with only 18 million inhabitants. The number of sides in the Super 12 should not be based on even numbers, but representative of the number of registered players per country.

The prospect of a Super 14 is a wonderful one for the spectators, but oh my word, the poor players: imagine playing the hardest rugby in the world for at leat 15 weeks of Round Robin, and then a further two for the sides that excel, the best side playing for 17 weeks at its peak! That's almost 4 straight months of rugby ... in one competition. Someone's got to give. The list of injuries to key players at the beginning of this super 12 is evidence of how stuffed up all our players are getting! Almost our entire Bok team is buggered or carrying injuries: Kempson, Toks, Fleckie, Paulse, Halstead, James, Skinstad, Andre Venter, the list goes on... Good start SARFU Pty (Ltd) cc & Son, or whatever you call yourself.

Philip

When are the so-called rugby brains of SA (and Natal) going to realize that Gaffie is a waste of time. He may show potential at training but on match days he plainly sucks...no match temperament.

Marty. H,
London 

Geagte Red

Eintlik is hierdie in antwoord op wat C. Hale, "an old Province supporter", in verlede week se uitgawe van RF kwyt geraak het. Dit is betreurenswaardig dat 'n man sy provinsialisme so voor op stel, dit selfs noem, en dan oor al die pakke slae wat WP in die jare 80 van N-Tvl gekry het via die skoppe van Naas Botha, nog so seer kan maak. Toe gegee, Naas was 'n wêreldklas skopper, maar dit was nodig om te wen, dis tog immers waaroor dit gaan. Om mooi rugby te speel en belangrike wedstryde te verloor, is 'n pynlike gedagte. Net so is dit om te verloor sonder om na die wedstryd te kan sê ons het ons bes probeer, soos dit soms in 2001 gelyk het. Of die voorspelers nou met hul gesamentlike massa oor die doellyne van ander spanne gebeur het na 'n lynstaan 5m, of selfs minder in daardie dae, van die hoekvlag af of nie, dit het die punte op die bord gesit.

C. Hale noem mnr. Mallett as die mees suksesvolle "Bokwagter" in die moderne tydvak. Kom ons kyk bietjie na die intimiderende taktiek waarvan hy ook gebruik gemaak het. Hy het dit wel van Markies ge-erf, maar tog ook gebruik. Die Bokke kry 'n strafskop binne trefafstand maar skop hoekvlag toe. Hoekom? Om met die voorspelers se groter massa oor die doellyn te dryf en 5 punte te kry, eerder as 3 van 'n strafskop. Was dit nie presies wat Naas ook maar gedoen het nie.Deesdae doen al die spanne dit! Selfs die WP! Al verskil was, Naas was só briljant dat hy dit in spel kon doen en nie nodig gehad het dat 'n skeidsregter spel moes stop en 'n kolletjie moet aandui waar hy vandaan moes skop nie. 

Oor die salvo op Rudolf as "Bokwagter", kan mens maar net kop skud en lag. Waar was die Sharks, én Natalse Haaie, voordat hy oorgeneem het? Waar het hulle ge-eindig sedert hy oorgeneem het. Onder Hugh Reace-Edwards was hulle verlore, laaste op die Super 12 leer en ook nie ver van agter in die Curriebeker kompetisie nie. Sedert Dolfie se oorname, twee jaar na mekaar in die semi's of finale! WP het in beide jare die Curriebeker gewen, tuis en weg. Briljant! Ek stem 100% saam dat Carel en Gert hulle ree ds bewys het as van die beste afrigters, huidiglik, maar waarom het hulle nie om die pos aansoek gedoen nie? Moenie kom met die storie van versteekte agendas ens. nie. As dit in die hof bewys moet word sal 'n mens dalk bedroë daarvan afkom. Feit bly, Dolfie hét aansoek gedoen, Carel en Gert het nie. Dolfie staan 'n kans om "Bokwagter" te word en die ander twee here nie. 

Ek sal nogal daarvan hou as Dolfie, sou hy aangewys word, vir Carel aanwys om met die agterlyn te help. Die Bokke kan net baat daarby as hy nog vir Naas ook nader trek om losskakelspel te ontwikkel. Die beste sal natuurlik wees as hy heeltemaal afsien van 'n 'verdedigingsafrigter' en 'n "AANVALSAFRIGTER" aanwys. Ek glo daar is in die verlede te veel klem gelê op die verdediging en te min op aanval. Dit is waarom die Bokke onbeholpe gelyk het as die bal tussen die agterspelers beland het. 

"Hoe verdedig mens met die bal in jou besit? HELP!" 

"Skop, man, skop!"

"Waarna toe?"

Dan is die bal in Cullin se keelgat af geskop en ons het moeilikheid.

No, Mr. Hale, let go of your provincialism and support South Africa. That is the only way to help our beloved sport to get back to where it belongs.

Kys

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