I was there, both in Brighton for the Japan World Cup defeat last year, and in Cardiff for the loss to Wales last week.
They were very different experiences.
The Japanese performance came out of the blue and everyone watching realised that, although deserved, it was a one-off.
The following week, at Villa Park in Birmingham, the Springboks smashed a tough Samoan side in a terrific performance. Scotland were well beaten, then Wales at the death, and then a two-point loss to New Zealand in the semi-finals.
Think about it: In the end, third in the world. That is where the Boks were last year, regardless of the Japan defeat, so don’t include it in any measure of ability or progress. It was a one-off. It is with O’Leary, in the grave.
Last week was very different. Even before the game, dyed-in-the-wool Welsh fans were commiserating with those of us in Bok colours. “What has happened?” was the repeated question.
Snippets of transformation and quota conversations that had been read or misheard were raised, but the mood concerning South Africa’s problems was not triumphal at all. It was one of sadness at the state of our rugby. What has happened to the Boks? We know. The question is what is going to happen going forward?
The game was simply appalling from a South African perspective. There was again no lack of effort, but even more than in preceding weeks, little or no evidence of a clear game plan. Individual mistakes abounded and by half-time it was basically over.
We had Brains Bitter afterwards and our bitter brains were engaged by the Welsh asking us once again: “What has gone wrong?” We bravely wore our colours and proclaimed that when a side is down, that is the time to support them. That got us a few pints but little else. We spoke about other things than rugby because that is the way we felt. The Springbok brand in rugby is at rock bottom. Cool heads are needed to resurrect it.
The current wisdom seems to be for cutting professional sides here. Why? In New Zealand they have fewer players and yet they have professional teams by the score. Watch their provincial championships on TV. Even small unions play before fair crowds and at a good standard. The best players feed into the Super Rugby sides and the All Blacks. After a World Cup, the stars take the king’s shilling and head to Europe or Japan to boost their pensions and are replaced by even better players. It is a conveyor belt that works smoothly and seamlessly.
We have a tradition of top rugby schools, clubs and provinces and a national side that once was feared and respected. We also have a vast untapped market of players and fans who have been previously ignored. Surely we need vehicles to manage and mould, develop and transform players and we need lots of them.
Maybe the problem is that we have too much rugby on TV. We see all internationals, top provinces and European games. Who is going to drive and support local structures when all this can be seen from our armchairs? Of course, rugby salaries and bills have to be paid and TV does that, but surely less is more? Fewer games that actually mean something in the country will attract crowds, viewership and advertising. Look at the gridiron example in the US. Their sides play only a dozen or so games a year, each in a packed stadium and live on TV. Add to that college games that are even bigger and you realise that frequency of contests is the key. In between big games, fans support their local schools. Less is more.
Why can we not do the same and reduce the number of top games on show? This will also leave players fresher and more conditioned. The recent Gold Cup showed that club rugby is entertaining and spectacular and social, as is the Varsity Cup.
We need a massive review of rugby in SA and we need clear guidelines of responsibility. Who pays for grass roots development? Is it the Department of Sport, education or rugby? Answers please.
Start off players well and there will be a stream of talent heading upwards, ever upwards. The top will look after itself but beware of cutting for cutting’s sake. That might be throwing the rugby baby out with the after-match bathwater.
* Robbie hosts the morning drive show 6-9am weekdays on 702.
Saturday Star