Rainbow Cup another knock to players’ psyche

As much as SA Rugby will attempt to mitigate financial blows for not playing in the cross-continental component of the Rainbow Cup, the toll on the players' psyche is less likely cushioned.

The Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers will continue to play among themselves after SA Rugby and the PRO14 were forced into redrawing their plans at the 11th hour.

The local players may still have game time but the country’s continued absence from the international stage, coupled with general uncertainty about competitions, are weighing heavily on players' minds.

The Springboks haven’t played since the Rugby World Cup final in November 2019, while the last cross-continent clash involving a local franchise was when the Bulls lost to the Reds in Brisbane in March last year.

The pandemic has wreaked havoc with the country's playing roster and its absence from the international stage is starting to evoke memories of its years in sporting isolation.

“The isolation component certainly overlaps,” said Pieter Kruger, a clinical psychologist who has worked with the Springboks, London Irish and currently Munster.

“Also, you don't know when it is going to end. Hopefully in this instance it will be much shorter.”

Kruger, who has particular insight into mood and anxiety disorders, said his engagement with players had given him a good snapshot of the challenges they face.

“The most common underlying factor for players’ angst is the uncertainty. How the game will change going forward and what happens if another lockdown comes.”

SA Rugby’s financial impact plan, which ushered in pay cuts of 25% for players and staff for six months last year, is a contributing factor.

“A lot of players were subject to salary adjustments,” said Kruger.

“Players know they have a distinct shelf life. Your next contract depends on current performance. They are the breadwinners.”

Of course the pandemic’s tentacles reached around the globe and while angst is heightened across spheres and sectors, professional rugby players feel it acutely.

Kruger explained that 90% of respondents that were polled in 17 countries across different industries had indicated a rise in their levels of angst.

“The difference for rugby players is that they need to make split-second decisions that greatly affect the immediate course of events.

“Three, four months ago we were all in the same boat when no one played. Now the leagues are back in Europe and Australasia. It knocks a local player’s confidence watching the other players play when you are not getting any exposure. They feel they are increasingly falling behind,” said Kruger.

MyPlayers, the players’ representative organisation, is aware of the players' state of mind.

“The number of challenges and regularity of pleas for support from players have increased,” said CEO Eugene Henning. “Their angst stems from uncertainty around competitions they are supposed to play in, when they are going to play and against whom.”

Finger on the pulse

MyPlayers also has its finger on the pulse of the players earning a living abroad.

“The angst of our players abroad generally stems from the bio-bubble scenarios,” Henning pointed out. “Also, will they be able to see their families and what are their travel arrangements and other logistical challenges they are likely to face?”

In Hilana Claassens, MyPlayers has a player development manager and industrial psychologist who is doing her PhD in player welfare. The players also have access to a 24-hour helpline.

“Those contact points are busier this year,” said Henning. “There is a great need for mental health support structures.”