Saru must score with loyal Bok fans

THERE’S no doubt that Oregan Hoskins’s open letter last week left a sour taste in the mouth of many rugby supporters because of its tone and defensive nature.

The timing of the South African Rugby Union (Saru) president’s letter wasn’t great in terms of helping to build the morale of the nation and encourage South Africans to get behind the team at the World Cup. It came across as a bitter diatribe that included some stats about how rugby in this country has transformed.

The timing of the letter was also questionable because it was basically the first time Hoskins had given an official response on the transformation issue after he “went missing” during the past two months.

Hoskins also failed to address the current concerns of many people regarding transformation in rugby, and while he did ask the people to get behind the Springboks, the unfortunate tone did not help his cause.

It’s because of this sort of leadership and defensive attitude that Hoskins and Saru have alienated a lot of black rugby supporters. It is a pity that on the eve of the team’s departure the organisation’s president came out guns blazing and not with an olive branch in his hand.

Rugby is a powerful nation-building tool in this country and it dictates a lot of people’s emotions. When the Springboks lose, many sulk. When they win, we rejoice.

As the Springboks prepare for their opening match against Japan on Saturday, the men in green and gold deserve our support because they still represent the hopes and dreams of many South Africans, who will cheer for every pass and every kick.

But it’s high time Saru fixed the relationship with the people they have alienated. While Hoskins can haul out the statistics, it still doesn’t explain why 21 years after our democracy a Bok team takes the field against Argentina with only two black players in the side.

Win or lose, the Boks need to be a team who represent all the people in our country.