The Springboks’ response to Bakkies Botha’s two week ban by wearing armbands was surprising, but arrogant wasn’t the first thought that came to mind.
A symptom of ‘frustration’ seems a far more likely explanation, and that only partly explained by the lock’s punishment. I suspect a whole lot of that frustration came not from the citing itself but rather from being exposed to ridicule by a coach who isn’t up to the task.
Being disliked or criticised is something we South Africans don’t mind too much – but being made a laughing stock, and with good reason – well, that is entirely a different matter.
So perhaps there is a fair point the Springboks are making, namely that the citing procedures are contradictory, subjective, quite a lottery and, in a word, unprofessional.
Aside from the Bakkies Botha incident, one among many examples from the second Lions Test, there was the light sentence given to Schalk Burger after the second Test.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I know what I saw on the TV, and if Burger wasn’t in a Springbok jersey for a year, that would be too soon.
Fans and players deserve better than what the administrators are delivering.
That is the real issue and whether armbands were the way to convey it or not is a moot point. To charge SARU with bringing the game into disrepute isn’t going to address the genuine issue bubbling up underneath.
All it will create is a distraction from what is in the best interests of the sport – a far more professional citing system.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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