Pride, tradition and honour, but how much does it cost?

At the beginning of the Super Rugby season, the Sharks unveiled their promotional video for all to see.

Simply put, you could call it a remembrance if those who came before them.

Bismarck du Plessis, Jean Deysel, Patrick Lambie and a host of other Sharks players simply list their childhood heroes.

It sounds simple when you say it like that, so what? We all have heroes.

The point is when we as children run onto the school fields we try to emulate our heroes, it is what inspires us to take up the game in the first place. That is where our dreams are born to one day represent our nations with pride, honour and passion.

As a child I remember the conversations my dad, uncles and their friends would have around the campfire. It would go on all night. Names like Jan Ellis, Frik du Preez, Mannetjies Roux and the like were common place in our discussions.

Stories turning into fables and players turning into heroes.

To be fortunate enough to represent your country in the sport you love is something that eluded me, in fact I was nothing more than an average club player. But that doesn’t mean I never dreamt what it would be like to don the Springbok jersey.

Debut matches often show you how much it means to represent your country. I will never forget when Johan Goosen in his debut match stood in line singing the anthem with tears rolling down his face, or when Pieter Hendricks told us at a seminar how he wet himself a little standing in line singing the anthem prior to the opening match of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

It is true some of us love our countries more than others, but I have always believed that rugby has a pride, passion, honour and tradition unequal to any other sporting code.

Granted I may be a little biased when I say that. But due to the attrition, physicality and skills required to play this sport, the camaraderie, friendships and relations your gain from playing rugby union are stronger.

Anyway, I am getting slightly off point here.

News has emerged that Warren Gatland is on a shopping spree, and first on his list is Gareth Anscombe from the Chiefs.

With nobody really nailing down the number ten jersey for Wales, Gatland is looking for a quick fix. Welsh-qualified Gareth Anscombe who played part of the Welsh demolition in the 2011 Junior World Cup, is number one on the list.

Anscombe has aspirations to play for the All Blacks, but might realise he is fifth or sixth in the pecking order. The Cardiff Blues are apparently seeking his services at end of season as well.

The question is, if you have aspirations to become an All Black, the most coveted jersey and arguably the most successful sporting team in history, is it that easy to walk away from the dreams you have carried inside you since your first memory?

Is it that easy to just walk away from everything that you have held dear your whole life?

For the life of me I cannot think of a moment filled with more anticipation than facing the Haka, the absolute adrenaline rush of being part of a line facing a squad of Black-clad men, preparing for the ultimate battle. In fact, I am lying, being part of the Haka is the only thing I can think of.

The more pertinent question is how do the supporters of the “adopted” country feel about this?

Do they simply welcome him with open arms and accept he has now become a player that will represent their nation with the same intensity of pride, passion and honour as he would have the country he has left?

Will they be content to plough with another man’s cattle?

Before anyone tells me the decision is up to the individual player, I know that. I understand that and do not question the decision a player in this position must make.

What I am questioning though, is what happens to pride, tradition, history and those stories you have been listening to eagerly as a child?

Is it possible to just wipe it away with the signature on a contract?

I doubt that very, very much.

I have said this before and I will say this again, as long as the Springboks are representative of players being educated, trained and developed within South Africa, I will support them with all my heart.

I can identify with the team as a product of our system. That to me is of utmost importance and is non-negotiable.

That is where history, tradition, honour and pride comes from. It does not stem from a cheque book, nor a piece of paper, but from honouring those before you by becoming the custodian of the jersey for the next generation.

Most important of all, each player in the jersey must know what it means to represent the hopes and dreams of a nation.