Politicians ready for 2015 RWC
Parliamentary staff looking forward to September’s 10-parliament tournament in England
THERE’Slittle love lost in parliamentary politicking, but on the rugby field MPs and Parliament’s staff, sporting their green and gold kits, will have the opportunity to haul all out against South Africa’s greatest rugby rival, New Zealand.
Until the 2015 Parliamentary Rugby World Cup draw is made – just before the games in England in September – there is no clarity when, or even whether, the two sides will meet. But despite gentlemanly sporting codes notwithstanding, there are still grumblings about how a last-minute change in the rules in 2007 meant South Africa came second to New Zealand, despite having won.
Andrew Hendricks, a former club rugby player and the parliamentary rugby club captain, reckons the team has a good chance. “We’ve set ourself a goal. We want to give everything… If we get New Zealand, we are ready for them. We don’t have grudges, but if we can beat them, we will.”
For the past 20 years, after starting work at Parliament in 1994, Hendricks has played a central role in the rugby team, and not only as a prop on the field.
Initially there were two teams: one for the MPs, one for the staff. After the inaugural 1995 Parliamentary World Cup in Cape Town, attended by Nelson Mandela, Hendricks said the teams amalgamated. So since 1996, Parliament’s rugby team includes MPs from different parties and staff from the library, committees, household services and communications, alongside bodyguards and ex-MPs, who may be included under the rules allowing for guests players.
This has fostered relationships across the parliamentary precinct. When one of the team’s home partially burnt down, the parliamentary rugby club clubbed together to help the committee chairman. When one of the club’s members was robbed after a game in Hermanus, the team helped out. “We assist each other,” is how one member put it.
With the team’s average age upwards of 45, Hendricks says they should not be underestimated: “There’s a guy in the library, he’s still in shape. He’s now 52, but he’s still running like the wind.”
It’s the love of rugby that brought together those who spend their working life in Parliament, whether it’s in a basement office or the presiding officer’s chair.
On the team is Cedric Frolick, an ANC MP and House chairman, who presides over sittings with a no-nonsense approach speckled with the driest sense of humour. His first job is in Parliament, his second is a passion for sports.
“We abide by the rules. We don’t change the rules,” he quips and adds he’s also lending a hand to help co-ordinate matters. “We’ve got a good team to put up a decent performance.”
UDM MP Mncedisi Filtane, a former club rugby player in uMthatha, now in charge of the parliamentary rugby club finances, admits he was always a better administrator than player, even in the old days. “I did far better in administration than on the field,” he quips, insisting though that he would do his time on the field, and do it well.
DA National Council of Provinces delegate Willem Faber says the team “has done very well for South Africa’s Parliament”, both on and off the field, as the team tours in between the four-yearly World Cups.
“When we are there as the parliamentary rugby team, we represent South Africa. That’s most important,” he says. “The guys take it (rugby) seriously. This year, we’ll be able to beat the New Zealanders, and do it in England.”
Having been runners-up in the 2011 cup after losing to New Zealand, lingering questions remain how Parliament manages to get quite so many former All Blacks on its team, while eyebrows are raised over the number of young players in Japan’s team.
But that is offset by the participation of players such as the Irish MP, who at age 70 could “hardly walk, but on the field he took members of the other teams” in the 2011 cup, as another of South Africa’s team described it.
He did not want to be named, but was surprised to discover that one man who tackled him turned out to be a Lord in the UK Parliament. “We are equals once we get on the rugby field. It’s all gentlemanly until you’re on the field,” he said, quickly adding that, of course, rules are obeyed.
And the rules are simple: at least six MPs must be on the field at any given time as the teams play four 15-minute periods. Those older than 60 must wear yellow shorts and may not be tackled. Instead they are touched and must put down the ball.
Of course, there are still chuckles about yellow shorts-wearing DA MP Japie van der Linde’s yellow card when he decided, against the rules, to do some tackling himself. But he also became man of the match in that World Cup.
In keeping with the Parliamentary Rugby World Cup rules that no public money is used, sponsorship from three domestic insurance companies is in place for the team, which is an affiliate member of the South African Rugby Union.
Once the team is selected, following attendance at a compulsory camp in a few weeks, the pressure is on to get visas. The weekly Wednesday practice will be stepped up to twice a week from next month, in addition to any friendly games the team may play inside and outside the so-called old crocks league. And MPs have been told to keep up practice if they don’t want to be booted off the team.
Before the parliamentary rugby club’s departure for England, there will be a farewell function at which Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to attend in his capacity of honorary member. All deputy presidents are honorary members of Parliament’s rugby club.
From September 11 to 17, 10 parliaments with 300 players will meet in Rugby, where the game was born, and Richmond in England. Each side will play three games, leaving time to network, raise funds for charity, reconnect with old friends and maybe even do some sightseeing. It will all end with a handover banquet to Japan, which hosts the 2019 Parliamentary Rugby World Cup.
It’s a far cry from the 1995 games when participants included just four parliaments representing South Africa, the UK, Ireland and France, and a World XV, including MPs from Chile. In September, participants also include Australia, Argentina, Scotland, Wales and Japan.
Hendricks says the World Cup, alongside the other tours, are important on several levels. “We have become a family with other teams… When we sing Shosholoza, they all fill in,” said Hendricks, paying particular tribute to Irish singing prowess. “I’m glad to represent Parliament at this level. It’s not only about playing rugby, but about interaction with other players and friendships.”