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South African rugby is staring down the barrel. They are undergoing a transitional period that threatens the very core of Springbok Rugby.
After the 2011 Rugby World Cup a number of South African stars decided to move abroad for lucrative contracts while others have retired.
This has brought about an experimental 2012, where Heyneke Meyer and his selection committee selected as many as 20 forwards during the Test season in order to determine who could make the step up to the international stage.
There was little tinkering with the backline, even though at stages injuries did create havoc in this area as well.
We are now on the cusp of another international season and as Springbok supporters we would expect Meyer to work on his backline and focus on the fundamentals of retaining possession, building phases and creating a varied attack which can be executed in the next World Cup.
Sadly, it is never that straightforward.
Since the 2011 Rugby World Cup we have seen the exodus of players either retiring or going for a Hail Mary pay day overseas, something we have come to expect after every World Cup here in the Southern Hemisphere.
What you don’t expect is that first choice international players at the height of their careers would leave for the almighty dollar.
Just after the 2011 Rugby World Cup Jaque Fourie (28 at the time) and Fourie du Preez (also 28), decided to leave. Both were at the top of their game and were first choice selections for the Springboks.
Now, in between two World Cups, Andries Bekker (29) JP Pietersen (25), Bryan Habana (29), Juandre Kruger (27), Zane Kirchner (28) and Morne Steyn (28) have all decided to take contracts abroad.
This is worth having a discussion about. Firstly, why are so many active Springboks leaving?
You can understand when Bakkies Botha, Danie Rossouw and the like decide to go for a healthy payday. They are all at the end of their illustrious careers and seeking for a nice gratuity before joining the land of the average Joe.
But why would Jaque Fourie, Fourie du Preez, Andries Bekker, JP Pietersen, Habana, Juandre Kruger, Zane Kirchner and Morne Steyn all leave when they are first choice players and in the prime of their careers?
The only possible answers I can come up with is the most obvious one, money. But then I read a report that Bryan Habana is earning in the region of R6 million a year.
Nick Mallett has suggested South African Rugby Union is not paying Springboks their fair share. According to him most professional teams pay their players in the region of 50% of their revenue, however SARU only pays 35% of their revenue to players.
Mallett further expands on the sustainability of the Vodacom Cup and the smaller unions involved in that competition, arguing that the handout from the SARU to unions who can’t sustain themselves financially should not be happening, and they should instead find corporate sponsors.
What I believe he is not taking into consideration is that these smaller unions have been pushed down the totem pole of importance and do not have the opportunity to secure corporate sponsorship.
This is due to the fact that it has lost ground on the Currie Cup and therefore has been reduced to fewer teams. This does not bode well for the smaller unions.
The reality is if the Currie Cup gains prominence and more teams are taking part in the premier division it stands to reason corporate sponsorship would come their way and people will flood stadiums.
So the cause and effect is that SARU is spending a higher proportion of their revenue to sustain smaller unions because they have neglected to provide them with a high profile competition.
Thus spending revenue on sustaining smaller unions, rather than paying higher wages to professional players in South Africa, has become a necessity.
It is also well known that player fatigue and injuries that can prematurely end careers are a threat to players. They therfore decide to play in the Japanese League, which means less games, less risk of injury and fatigue, and ultimately more money.
But if that was a justifiable reason, why do players such as Bryan Habana and the like choose to go to Europe? There the reality is that they play more games than their Southern Hemisphere clubs.
It is also possible that Heyeneke Meyer’s propensity to select overseas players has now opened the floodgates for Springboks to have their bread buttered on both sides.
If this is the case, then SARU have to act quickly and decisively to issue a directive which bans the use of overseas players for international duty.
It is not possible to serve two gods; it is either money or glory.
There is, of course, another possibility that has not been considered. What is going on in the Springbok camp? Are players not enthused or happy with the coaching staff? Do they not have faith in Meyer’s game plans or the manner in which he coaches?
These are all issues that need to be addressed, a simple declaration by Jurie Roux that we cannot compete with the almighty dollar is not good enough.
The root of the problem lies deeper than just money, it starts with the domestic structure.
The Currie Cup, that once had 14 teams competing in a single competition, has been reduced to six. There are now two divisions, and the Vodacom Cup is nothing more than a third tier development tool. If that is the only competition the smaller unions have as a marketing tool then it’s no wonder they aren’t financially sustainable.
The SARU needs to get their house in order. They need to look at restructuring their domestic season. The smaller unions must gain more prominence which would allow them to attract corporate sponsorship and higher gate earnings, otherwise the revenue from the SARU will never be utilised in a more constructive manner and it will result in a mass migration of South African talent.
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.