People will never know what it’s like to hail from a so-called ‘Cinderella city’ whose sporting prowess – among other things – is never worthy of any praise from a certain section of the public.
I am referring here to that ‘spot on the map’ Port Elizabeth that nestles on the east coast of South Africa.
The city is positioned within the second biggest province, the Eastern Cape.
The province is no doubt the poorest in South Africa, with poverty at extreme levels and unemployment rife.
However, despite the unfortunate situation and the yawning gaps in wealth made even worse by the reviled apartheid, whose ghosts still have a bearing on people’s economic situation, many resilient Eastern Cape citizens have risen above adversity to excel in their chosen professions.
Siya Kolisi, the bustling Stormers flanker, is one of them.
One day Kolisi was playing rugby for a nondescript township club in Port Elizabeth with borrowed boots.
The next he was donning the blue and white hoops of Western Province.
Kolisi’s path to provincial and Super Rugby fame was not an easy one. His story is well-documented and covered in many magazines and newspapers. At times, he said, there was no food in his home while growing up in the suburb of New Brighton, Port Elizabeth.
He was estranged from his parents at a very young age and was therefore forced to stay with his grandmother, who took on odd jobs as a domestic helper to send him to school.
Most times she could not even make the 50 rand-a-month school fees for Kolisi’s attendance at a township school in New Brighton.
At one stage he had to stop his schooling to look after his grandmother when she fell ill. She later died and Kolisi had to find refuge at an aunt’s home.
Fortunately Kolisi was spotted at a schools’ tournament and awarded a bursary to complete high school at the elite Old Grey High in Port Elizabeth.
Another is former Proteas spearhead Makhaya Ntini, who was a cattle herder in the nondescript Eastern Cape village of Mdingi.
He and his mates played informal games of cricket in their formative years on bumpy pasture fields among the grazing cattle before Ntini found cricketing stardom.
Yes, this province has produced and is still producing great sportspeople, but in Johannesburg, Cape Town and, even Durban, fans still give this city or province grudging respect when any semblance of sporting success comes along.
We are also called the ‘windy city’. We have produced many luminaries, among them Nelson Mandela. We have also produced 2010 Football World Cup trailblazer Danny Jordaan, and former ICC cricket chief Haroon Lorgat.
Never mind that we have produced rugby players of the ilk of Mark Andrews, Rassie Erasmus, Garth Wright, Lwazi Mvovo, Deon Kayser and many others.
And Fabian Juries, the former rugby sevens player who at one stage was the second highest points scorer in sevens history.
Not to forget former assistant Springbok coach Allister Coetzee, who now coaches the Stormers.
Cricketers such as Graeme Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Alviro Petersen, Johan Botha and other Eastern Capers, Mark Boucher and Ntini.
Yesterday Port Elizabeth hosted another of the Ironman Triathlon International series, and we also have a world-class multi-purpose venue in Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.
I of course reluctantly use the moniker ‘Cinderella city’ or ‘province’ but this is a tag often foisted upon us by our counterparts up north and in the west.
I say Cinderella province no more. Windy city maybe, but no speck on the map either.
However it’s rugby I want to focus on.
Local rugby fans in my province have had to mull over an ‘if only’ scenario for many years before Super Rugby came knocking and the stakeholders answered.
If only we had the sponsors. If only we could keep our players. If only we had the administrators. If only we had buy-in from th South African Rugby Union (SARU).
The list is endless.
Then the Southern Kings came along.
Our dreams have come true.
We were promised a Super Rugby franchise as far back as a decade ago. Fans, especially the disadvantaged, suffered because of the promises made with little or no delivery afterwards.
Eastern Cape is known as ‘the home of black rugby’ after all. And despite this moniker, rugby authorities did us no favours.
The SARU dilly-dallied on the Super Rugby issue for many years – before granting us what seemed like a wildcard into Super Rugby in the middle of last year.
In all likelihood they were forced to do so, as any decision to the contrary would have had legal ramifications for the national body.
The rugby-loving public from this part of the Eastern Cape province had no faith in the SARU (and who could blame them after all the foot-dragging?) and despite the announcement of Kings’ participation many adopted an approach of: “if we see it we’ll believe it.”
Many fans believed that the SARU would have done anything to renege on their undertaking that big-time rugby would return to these parts in 2013.
They had promised before but not delivered. And fans’ were worried as to how national administrators expected the Southern Kings to put a team together in Super Rugby with only seven months to the start of the new season?
What about putting together sponsorships, coaches and management teams?
Mention should be made of The Natal Sharks – who now have built up a well-oiled rugby machine. One can only be in awe of the marketing nous that drives the union.
But we in the Eastern Province remember our days in the B Section of the Currie Cup in the 70s and 80s.
The Natalians, more often than not, received a thrashing from us in those years.
So they have morphed into a giant on the national and Super Rugby scene, due to their professionalism and getting the right administrators and players on board.
Surely it is not beyond the realms of possibility for the Southern Kings to achieve that if given the proper chance?
We feel we are unfair victims of the player culling that’s taken place over the years, it just gotten worse in the professional period.
Our players are already poached at Craven Week (U19) level where the big guys with the big cheque books would come scouting for talent in the Eastern Province.
Does anybody know how it feels when you know local players are among the best (as could be seen from the poaching quests and their representing other provinces) but your province continues to remain in the doldrums at Currie Cup and Super Rugby level?
Fans on this side of the divide can’t really care what happens to the Golden Lions rugby union while they mull over future participation in the Super Rugby – remember it’s not yet a given they will be back in 2014 as there’s still a small matter of a promo-relegation match awaiting them!
It is one part of South Africa where die-hard provincialism has its roots and which is at times not good for the game of rugby.
It’s also where the late Louis Luyt ruled with an iron fist.
The Southern Kings have surprised friend and foe so far.
Of course, local fans were worried about what to expect from a new franchise in such a tough competition.
Were they going to cut it, without big-name players? Did they have the squad to measure up?
Did they have the management nous and the support from a public who already support the different Super Rugby franchises?
Now the group of doomsayers, especially Lions supporters and others up north, are having to swallow their pride.
It is also a shame that writers on this forum are in one breath congratulating the Kings and pouring scorn upon them the next.
Unfortunately, Kings’ fans still have to deal with these rubbish comments every day, despite the performances of their team so far. But we won’t be swayed.
Many Southern Kings fans are of the opinion it’s not about winning or losing just yet (of course we’ll take a win like we did against the Rebels).
It is more than that. It’s about competing and putting in a commendable effort at the highest level in our very first season.
Let’s admit it – the odds are stacked against the Kings.
But what we are seeing from their fighting qualities under immense pressure is that there is hope. Lots of it.
Coach Matt Sexton knows that and Alan Solomons does too.
“This is a star team not a team of stars,” crows Solomons.
The character and team spirit displayed by this rookie side has been nothing but impressive.
The Southern Kings came away with the victory in Melbourne at the weekend. They deserve every bit of credit, given their rookie status and seeing as they are first-time travellers.
Yes you doomsayers, they were playing away in unfamiliar territory!
Even David Campese was moved to say that he is taking a liking to this team’s guts and determination after his earlier doubts.
Someone alluded to the fact the Brumbies were not at their best last week in the 28-28 stalemate to the Kings.
I would suggest that the Kings were every bit worth the draw.
People have to recognise that behind these comments is the misguided, childish, warped and unjustified view that anything that comes from Port Elizabeth, and for that matter the Eastern Cape, is not good enough.
I think we played rugby before the guys up north.
I can only bet that the Lions and Bulls fans are not sitting too easily on their perches after what they’ve seen from the Kings.
We, of course, are not expecting the Kings to win every game – who can?
But their effort and commitment and team spirit might just motivate them to a shock victory over the Bulls.
We don’t want to see the team thrashed week in and week out – so the way they have played so far in their first season is an encouraging sign.
Does anyone remember the Bulls’ form when they first entered the competition in the mid-1990s?
Do you remember how the Cheetahs and Lions suffered in their initial digs at the competition?
They have now firmly in their grasp what they have always wanted and deserved. They won’t relinquish it easily.
Expect 40,000 fans at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium this weekend against the Bulls. What a cracker it should be!
Kiteywo Chelogoi
Guest
Is rugby still popular with the black folks in eastern cape. I would just like to know because when I try to google it, nothing comes. The only thing that comes is that there's no PSL club in ep.
Colin
Guest
mactheblack, what's all this Port Elizabeth business? let's not forget East London - the poor half sister of Port Elizabeth and the origin of many of the people you mention in your article. If anything the heartland of black rugby in South Africa is East London. I played first XV for Hamiltons (Hams) in East London, and even before Apartheid fell we were playing black teams that would run to the game, play, and then run home. One club side I remember well that did that was called 'Winter Rose' which always struck me as an unusual name for a rugby team.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Thanks for answering mate. Tbh I dunno how the SARU are going to manage this '6 franchises - 5 SR spots' scenario in the future.
Photon
Guest
I ffor the life of me cannot understand why there is a debate about whether the 5th team should be in JHB or PE. The Kings have had more people in their stadium in one week than the Lions had combined all season last year. NMMU were a penalty away from getting into the final of the Varsity cup when they were a non-entity for the last two years. The Super Rugby team is exceeding all expectations and the EP Vodacom Cup side is performing Based on support and potential growth value to SA rugby the Lions only deserve to be offered the Cats as a solution. The franchise in JHB was a joke and nothing is going to change that in the short term. I so proud of the Kings and the people of PE, the manner in which they have all gotten behind their team is awesome. Super rugby teams don't sell out stadiums unless their playing a semi-final, or the match is at Newlands. I support the Cheetahs by the way before anyone says I am a selfish Kings Fan, but I really can't say anything bad about the new franchise
bokboybullblue
Guest
would be nice if paragraphs were used
Stellenbosched
Guest
Hi nickoldschool, You are right about the Kings wanting to have a play off. I prefer that system as well. The problem with this professional era is the nightmare of contracts that stipulate that players have the right to leave a union should they no longer belong in SR. I am not sure whether the Kings would have earned the right to be contesting any play off over the last few years even if there was such a system in place.
Loftus
Guest
For such a long article, I find it astonishing that there is no mention of the infighting, bad management,greedy administrators or corruption that brought the union down.
chris
Guest
Re Kolisi He was hyped from his school days as future star and there was bidding war between the big unions as to who would sign him. Truth is that South Africa has a very open market for young talent (as illustrated by Handre Pollard signing for the bulls last year) and the smaller unions have no chance of keeping talent if the big boys come knocking.
chris
Guest
But how is your vision of a super franchise-less Lions different from the position the EP/Kings found themselves in 2012? Promotion/relegation matches are heavily weighted in favour of the incumbent. Playing at a higher level, be it currie cup premier division or super rugby (rightfully) gives team access to greater funds to recruit players. Even if the challenger can somehow match the funding of the incumbent, an offer that includes playing at a higher level will be far more enticing for a player. The kings are actually a great example of this. They have been involved in promotion/relegation matches for at least the last three seasons in the currie cup but could never get past the incumbent side. As soon as the currie cup was cut to 6 teams (don't get me started on this) and the Puma and Leopards were relegated the kings quickly overtook the newly relegated teams. Sad as it might be, the Lions have been a failed union for a very long time you were only propped up by Sanzar money. With that money gone their weaknesses will become more apparent and until the union finds itself they will continue to waste away.
chris
Guest
A couple of points - No more expansion. The super season is too long already. I am against SARU getting too involved in the internal running of different unions. A well run union which can raise enough money to carry a large squad should be rewarded for its business acumen and failures (read the lions) should disadvantaged. An unfortunate result is that a team like the cheetahs will be disadvantaged compared to the larger markets in Durban, Pretoria and Cape Town, but as long as the cheetahs are as poor as they are at exploiting their existing market I have no problem with the status quo. Ringfencing combined with a draft will have one positive result of putting deflationary pressure on the salary of youngsters and back-up players while lifting the salaries of the elite players which I think needs to happen for the health of the professional game in South Africa.
Rusty
Roar Guru
I was one of those expecting 5 pointer bye rounds and a return serve for all the commentary around the Rebels when they joined. I was also not happy with the way SARU dealt with the issue with its false promises and crappy decision making. I am however stoked on the progress of the Kings and the spirit and fight they have brought. The change of scenery and unheralded names brought into play have been a breath of fresh air. It has however created a dilemma - at this rate I would favour the Kings to win an relegation battle with the Lions. This will effectively destroy the Lions franchise and union as they will without the additional funding/sponsorship be unable to keep hold of players which in turn will negate their ability for re-promotion and ultimately could see them spiral in the Currie Cup. Despite thier averageness at the super rugby level this is not good for domestic rugby in SA where we need a strong team in our largest city to draw on that catchment area. It also too disruptive to the player roster to bounce in an out of Super rugby and so unfair to the Kings or any other franchise should they lose. No easy solution without expansion either....
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
I like you last sentence stellenbosh. As goes the saying "only imbeciles never change their mind' and am glad the kings convinced you they deserve a spot in the comp. I have a question: don't you think the SARU is the sole responsible of the Kings 'not earning the right to play in the tournament '? I guess that every year, they would have been more than happy to be part of a play off game against the lowest saffa franchise no?
TC, I think it will be a mistake. SARU firstly has to sort out a few issues, there isn't equality in the Franchises. They need to ensure firstly that the Kings AND the Lions are in the Currie Cup Premier division. It is the toughest domestic compeition in SA and is the place that prepares these guys for Super Rugby. They need to find a way to increase revenue streams to be more equal to all the potential Supe Rugby teams. They need to ensure some form of a draft system. My suggestion is they must allow each Franchises to have a first pick draft of 15 players. One per position. This way we can ensure that our top 6 players per position is spread amongst each of the six teams. There after you have a round two draft for the next 8 players, the whole idea is that the Provinces and the Franchises are supposed to be seperate entities, but currently that isn't really the case. SARU also needs to centrally contract these players. Only then could they consider a 6th team, and even then, that means 18 teams and how long will the Super Rugby comp be then?
tc
Guest
biltongbek The way I see it South Africa will have six teams come 2016 ,I think SANZAR will go yes sir no sir three bags full sir, how many teams do you want. Mac that was a brilliant piece ,well done .
RebelRanger
Guest
Rabble and Farce hahahaha.
Stellenbosched
Guest
Great article mactheblack, As a Stellenboscher (read Stormers supporter) who does business in PE I accept that the region has always been regarded as 'second tier'. My observations are that Eastern Capers feel the same way about the region. I was also anti the Kings being gifted promotion to SR. Lets be honest, the province didn't earn the right to be playing in the tournament. My biggest problem was with someone whos name you haven't mentioned, which is surprising. I think Cheeky Watson is an arrogant muck-racker. Great at pointing fingers at everyone else, but whay exactly has he and his board done to improve the quality of rugby amongst the black population of the EC? The coaching staff you mention are 'imports' as are most of the players. You mention Kolisi. Inspiring man for sure. The question I have is why was his talent identified by WP and not EP? Anyway, I have been most impressed and not a little surprised at the rugby the Kings are playing, and I for one hope they remain in SR and build a bright future, as it can only help SA rugby as a whole.
Happy to see you have some pride in your Province Mac, I thought you were aligned to the All Blacks all the way. I think there is onefactor that soured the entrance of the Kings into Super Rugby, and that was the role SARU played and the manner in which the whole process was executed in ousting the Lions. Most of the negativity came because of that. Iread on a South African website earlier in theweek that most neutral supporters these days hope that the Kings get an extended run in SuperXv, one guy claimed that his uncleruns one of theUnions, but didn't say who. Anyway according to him the Lions have a long way to go and reading between the lines he understood that the Lions won't be back min Super XV until the next contract agreements aresigned. What that means is anyone's guess.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
The Kings have been far better value both on the park and in the stands than the Lions ever were. Being born in PE I have a soft spot for the city and happy to see the Kings involved in Super Rugby. What you say about the other areas of South Africa turning their noses up at PE is spot on! Whenever we visit family and friends either in Pretoria or Cape Town they always ask "Why are you going to PE?", they have no time for the place. We have family friends that live in PE so will always visit that spot when we get back, plus its only an hour or so down the road to JBay which is a fantastic day at the beach!
The Battered Slav
Guest
I think the Kings' rough ride into the tournament has definitely held them in good stead for the rigours of the comp. They seem to have this seige mentality, which I think you need as a new club. The Brumbies had it upon foundation, and the Kings seem to have it as well, borne of the antipathy towards them throughout the rest of SA. This is one thing that the rebels and Force never developed. If these two clubs had that 'everyone is against us' complex, chances are they would have performed a lot better than they have. Kudos to the Kings for ruffling a few feathers in the first season. They may not have the names or the stacked talent, but they do seem to jhave a lot of heart and a desire to prove their many, many detractors wrong. Note, this is coming from an observer who was shaking his head for months in relation to the forced inclusion of the Kings, and gave them little chance of getting within 30 points of teams like the Melbourne Rabble and Western Farce.
Shop
Guest
I've had nothing but admiration for what the Kings have done up to now. Especially as they've assisted Argentine rugby no end by signing a couple of Pumas!!! How many other "franchises" can boast the same?