I’m at a loss I must admit. You see, transformation is a complicated thing. It isn’t something that you can get your head around in one sitting, unless of course you’re watching the latest Michael Bay distortion of what the Transformers are supposed to be.
Change can be good. You’ll get no argument from me there. Change encourages growth; it challenges us to be different. It forces us to re-examine our opinions and ideas on life, the universe and everything. Not all change is good and not all change is bad, sometimes change is just… Well, it’s just change. It’s the sort of change you find in your pocket after a night out at the pub. It’s a bit sticky and wrapped in a receipt for twelve tequilas and a flaming Lamborghini that you don’t remember buying.
The Sticky Subject of Transformation in South African Rugby
This brings me to the sticky subject of transformation in South African sport. It has been spoken of in hushed tones, in the dark corners of dark pubs throughout the land since 1994.
“They only picked him because he’s black” Someone would say.
“Ja, South African rugby is going nowhere” his mate would reply, “Bloody politics and sport shouldn’t mix.”
I agree with the last point. Politics and sport shouldn’t mix. I hate politicians more than I hate beetroot, and I really hate beetroot. All you have to do is look up what has happened to Graeme Joffe to see what carnage can be wrought by self-enriching, self-important so called sports administrators and regulators.
I don’t agree with the other two points. No player has ever been selected for South African “just because he is black”. He was selected to play for South African because he was a good rugby player. There is a big difference. South African rugby needs good black rugby players just as much as it needs good white rugby players. I agree wholeheartedly with giving a guy from a disadvantaged background a shot as long as he’s good enough or has shown that he has potential to be good enough.
Secondly, Springbok rugby is going nowhere? I’m afraid that too is an entirely inaccurate statement. Since 1994 the Springboks have won two world cups, and are generally amongst the top three rugby teams in world rugby and that with all the political nonsense and pond-scum sports administrators and parliamentary sub-committees chaired by megalomaniacal corrupt people appointed because they once lent the President a golf ball during an ill-fated round at his local country club’s monthly mug.
Springbok rugby will be strong as long as there is money to be made from it. It’s that simple. All the merchandise, TV rights, advertising, gate revenue and sponsorship that the Springboks generate are a safeguard for the team’s future.
If the rugby bosses decide to discard all the white players they will in effect completely obliterate the majority of their revenue generating capacity. Their product has to appeal to that part of the population that buy it so complete transformation is not an economically viable option for South African rugby.
It is, however, something that will continue to be debated and the lack thereof criticised by people, sometimes legitimately, but also by those looking for political leverage or to generate some influence capital with the right people at the right time. The most recent bandwagon jumper is COSATU’s very own foot-in-mouth expert Tony Erhenriech. The same man who suggests that the Cape Town stadium be turned into low cost housing. He generally makes as much sense as poodle trying to figure out quantum mechanics with a blunt butter knife and an abacus.
So dear rugby fans from all backgrounds, colours and creeds, yes, transformation is necessary but only if it benefits those that it is intended to benefit. It is indeed critical if we want the Springboks to stay competitive and represent all South Africans. But beware, if it used by the intellectually and morally obtuse amongst us it can be a poison that tears at the soul of the sports we love.
Fear not though, because the golden goose (Springbok) is still laying many golden eggs and as long as it does the people benefitting dare not kill it.
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