The Current State of South African Rugby
After a horrendous year for South African rugby, the public and fans will have the right to ask what the reasons are behind the underperformance. Have we taken a slump, too little talent or is the answer so clear that every Springbok supporter has identified it regardless of the ignorance posed by SARU?
After taking the wooden spoon in the Tri-Nations and falling out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals, the South African Rugby Union has been dead quiet and the voice which has been glaringly missing is that of Oregan Hoskins. After the President of SARU refused to renew Jake White's contract in 2007 (A claim which he vehemntly denies) and controversially appointed Peter De Villiers above Heyneke Meyer, Hoskins' input has been limited to defending his beloved coach and acting as a political pawn for transformation in South African rugby.
Four years later the Springboks find themselves ranked three positions lower, out of the World Cup and short of leaders due to the lack of development under Peter De Villiers. Hoskins' silence speaks a thousand words as not even he has the answer, or excuse in this case, for the clear setback in both development as well as transformation. Hoskins has not only failed his country, but has betrayed it by not doing what is right for the country.
SARU have absolutely no clue how to strengthen rugby as they offer players guaranteed contracts for World Cups where form is temporary and there are always new players sticking their hands up for spots. Instead the assured player manages to rest on his laurels and free flow to the World Cup and Tri-Nations and the new talented players lose motivation due to the lack of opportunities to compete for that position. One thing I have learnt is there is nothing more motivating than healthy competition within a team.
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