Our rugby becomes more inclusive every day
There was nothing logical about the Springboks’ epic victory over the All Blacks in Wellington last weekend. Their recent form and that of their opponents certainly didn’t suggest it and neither did South Africa’s miserable record at The Cake Tin, where they had lost all six previous matches against New Zealand. The match statistics were also thoroughly dominated by the home side, who outscored the Boks by six tries to five.
And, unlike when I get to watch the Springboks in a non-working capacity, there wasn’t a beer or a braai in sight when I settled down to watch the TV broadcast. That’s because I was watching in a shopping mall (not maul) of all places.
The occasion was one of those “events” that marketing people are so fond of, but this one was memorable, not just because the long nine-year wait for a Spring- bok win in New Zealand came to an end. I also remember thinking, shortly before those excruciating final minutes when the world’s best referee, Nigel Owens, lost his composure as much as anyone, that this had been one of my most enjoyable Springboks-on-TV viewing experiences ever.
I know this next bit will be met with as much disbelief in some quarters as the revelation that I did not have a beer the entire match, but I was also the only white person at the gathering.
In terms of the demographics of the country, last week’s Fine Leg Productions event with the Gwijo Squad and Touch Rugby Sundays shows was indicative of what the future of rugby in this country will be like. And what a bright future it is, judging by the sheer passion on display, the knowledgeable comments and the tremendous spirit that led to a wonderful atmosphere, even
Ken Borland
when many of us were cursing Owens under our breath.
I have watched rugby in many establishments in the supposed rugby heartland and felt way less comfortable in a testosterone-fuelled atmosphere, and way less impressed by the knowledge of the game that was on display during last week’s match. Several women attended the event and seemed totally at home.
And imagine how much harder it is for these rugby-loving black fans to feel comfortable in some of our stadiums. This was one of the issues raised after the match in the discussion that was held, and it is also central to the creation of the Gwijo Squad.
They are a group of rugby-mad Springbok followers who are transforming the stadium vibe by singing and chanting vernacular war-cries, and their efforts to inculcate a more inclusive culture have been mirrored at Springbok level.
It has been hard for black Springboks to feel totally comfortable in that environment, to feel they can bring their own culture into the team, but that has all changed with the appointment of Siya Kolisi as captain. Now we see the team singing traditional songs before and after the game, and it is wonderful to behold this new, all-South African culture taking hold.
With so much focus now on the economics of our rugby – the viability of our professional structures and how we are struggling to compete with overseas teams because of the weakness of the rand – it is definitely necessary for the sport to be open to as many communities as possible. In order for that to really take off, however, those communities have to feel wanted and truly part of South African rugby.
A term like “rugby development” is perhaps not the best word to use because it implies creating an interest that is not already there.
Contrary to what All Blacks coach Steve Hansen may believe, judging by the extracts of his book published this week, rugby has also been a black sport for more than a century.
Perhaps the Gwijo Squad can arrange to take Hansen, when he is here in the first week of October, on a little tour of the Eastern Cape, where black clubs are more than 100 years old and rugby poles are seen in the rural areas far more often than football goals.