Building our champs
HE 2013 Test window will be opening for the Springboks in a matter of days as Super Rugby takes a back seat to the Castle Lager Incoming Series. It is sure to be a year of highs and lows, as few know what is in store this year, with Argentina making their second appearance in the Castle Rugby Championships.
Argentina are in the mix in the hopes of bolstering the game in the Americas, but in all likelihood they will struggle against the Southern Hemisphere super powers.
It is not that the competition between South Africa, Australia and New Zealand has fallen away, but it has rather been expanded and has changed in name only. In choosing the label for the tournament there was clearly a shortage of creativity as the extended tournament is simply called “The Castle Lager Rugby Championship”. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First things first; we will have to wait until mid-August for this competition to kick off, but this doesn’t mean that fans will be twiddling their thumbs until then.
Although it may not be the lavish spread that will come from seeing the top four teams in the hemisphere battle it out, this doesn’t take away from the importance of Samoa, Italy and Scotland’s visit to South Africa.
This tournament lasts only three weeks and includes six matches and is sure to clarify to spectators and staff what is in store when we take on the world champions, the Wallabies and the wannabies.
It will be a series with a difference especially for fans who will be attending the matches live as they will receive a two-for-theprice-of-one ticket. Having double-headers does have it’s pros and cons, but to be honest, I kind of like the idea. For one thing it will
Tprovide something of a rent-a-crowd solution for when the home team is not in action. While the Springboks, against any opponent at home all but assures a near capacity crowd, time is of the essence and there are simply only so many weeks to squeeze the tournament into.
Besides, a match between Samoa and Italy in Nelspruit is hardly likely to fill the grotesque relic of the Fifa 2010 World Cup that is Mbombela Stadium, but with the Boks on the bill against Scotland, these minnows of the game are sure to get the exposure and support that usually only comes every four years when the Webb Ellis Cup is on offer. SA will be the favourites for this quadrangular series, but upsets are always a very real possibility.
While they will be the bookies’ choice, this series shouldn’t be seen as a win-at-all-costs competition. Yes, the Boks will need to gain momentum and sure, it would be nice to get the ball rolling with a few massive victories. However, what I believe is even more important is introducing as many up-and-comers to the Test match arena to increase the experienced options within the country.
By the time the top four nations in this half of the planet square off it would be ideal if Heyneke has some 45-odd players who are match fit, have some experience and provide multiple options in every position.
Building towards being world champions in 2015 isn’t going to take 22 men or even 30. It is going to take far more than that, as it is better to be in a position where you are able to pick and choose rather than forced to dig deep. Winning Test series on the way is also of utmost importance, but the inaugural Rugby Championship is a far bigger prize than hammering three comparative minnows.