Kicking out Kings would be cowardly act
ON Wednesday, we were greeted with worrying rugby headlines, “Kick the Kings out, says Stransky” and “Saru cuts funding to EP Rugby Academy”. It is my considered view that both actions, if implemented by the mother body, could have far more serious consequences for rugby in this part of the world.
For the sake of my letter, I will dwell only on the call for the Kings’ demise. Just for those who are not in the know, I wish to go back on the history of a quest for a franchise for this region.
When Sanzar, the controlling body for rugby in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, decided in 2002 to increase the number of teams competing in their competition, then called Super 12, from 12 to 15 teams, the South African Rugby Union (Saru) decided to invite provinces that didn’t participate in this Sanzar competition to bid for their inclusion in this format. Both the Eastern Province and Free State decided to throw their names into the hat.
In preparation for this bid for the region, Mark Alexander, then vice-president of Saru, in conjunction with Graham Abahams, director of SuperSport, and George Rautenbach of Megapro, cleverly set up a working party to determine the way forward towards a successful bid.
To this effect the first meeting, chaired by Mark Alexander, was convened at the Southern Sun in Cape Town. Present at that inaugural meeting were the following: Mark Alexander from Saru; Mveleli Ncula from Saru, acting as a scribe; Daniel “Cheeky” Watson, president of Eastern Province; Bantu Ondaatje, the then Border Rugby Union president; Bafundi Makubalo, Eastern Cape Department of Sport; George Rautenbach, and Graham Abrahams.
A unanimous decision was taken to bid for the franchise and the following people were identified to prepare a bid book to present to Saru: Garth Wright, Tom Parremoer, Silumko Nontshinga.
To cut a long story short, a magnificent bid book was presented to Saru. Among salient points raised were:
ý The economy of the region would be favourably enhanced;
ý The transformation goals as envisaged by Saru would be met hands down; ý Spectator interest would rise; ý Schools rugby would be impacted.
In short, all the requirements expected from each bidding province were met.
It is history now that “rugby politics” played a role in choosing Free State to be the fifth in the new Super 15 format.
I don’t wish to dwell too much on the aftermath of this decision by Saru, but it is crystal clear that Saru doesn’t care whether there is rugby or not in this part of the world.
They have deliberately disregarded the rich history of rugby here. It means nothing to them, the people who strode the length and breadth of this country with dignity and aplomb, and I mean during the dark days of apartheid sport.
Fortunately for this region, there are still people who can do a far better job than the national administration led by both Mark Alexander and its CEO, Jurie Roux.
I wish to make a clarion call to Saru, to ignore the calls made by the likes of Stransky and other ill-informed lunatics and allow this franchise to be run by locals who have administered successful outfits where they have been involved.
Just to mention a few people who can run a successful franchise that would be an envy of all and sundry: Gideon Sam, Ian Wright, Joe Tshume, Tony Cotterell, Tshawe Vazi, Errol Heynes, George Rautenbach, Andile Ngcaba.
There are other people I haven’t mentioned who could bring glory in running a successful franchise.
In conclusion, Mark Alexander knows Eastern Cape rugby far better than his badly failed predecessor, Oregan Hoskins. I have faith in him that he will come up with a better proposition to be discussed by sports leaders from this region.
Kicking out the Kings is a cowardly act and an easy route to please Sanzar, who don’t care a hoot about South African rugby. Mveleli Ncula, retired international sport administrator, Port Elizabeth