Is rugby enough to hold South Africa together?

South Africa is on the brink of social unrest, the fizzling of the financial foundations of its professional rugby system and their preparation for the Lions Tour has been stalled more than wished due to Covid.

Springbok success often plays hand in hand with bitter cracks and complications in their society. In 1995, the remnants of the racial and provisional split were all too obvious.

Nelson Mandela knew of the importance of the inconceivable ties between national pride and sport, but how, when the Springboks were the poster boys of racial discrimination for more than a century?

The Springboks symbol represented Afrikaner nationalism that stripped and prevented black South Africans from national citizenship and gave them Bantustan citizenship instead through their respective ethnic group. In rugby terms, there was a proud tradition within the black community who participated in rugby.

Mandela’s school and University participated and created a rugby culture since the 1930s, however, adequate public rugby facilities were subsequently banned for those bent from folly citizenship.

The Springboks racial disposition didn’t conclude towards their own. In 1965 the Springboks had a successful tour of New Zealand. Following the tour, Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd of the National Party announced that future New Zealand rugby teams visiting South Africa would not be allowed to include Maori players.

South African rugby fans were in mourning as it was at the time the IRB had banned them from hosting or participating in international competitions from 1984-1992. The SARB (South African Rugby Board) did themselves no favours with such staunch rulings that set back rugby and their international image.

In 1992 the SARFU (South African Rugby Football Union) dropped its limitations for black players and resulted in South Africa receiving the chance to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

‘Invictus’ already gives the timeline of South Africa’s extraordinary victory in Cape Town, there is no need to repeat, however, what many rugby fans may not realise are the events that unfolded months after. When Francois Pienaar was asked about his greatest achievement — winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup — his answer is marked with regret.

“A big opportunity was missed post-1995, a massive opportunity,” he said in an interview with ESPN. “There was such a collectiveness and there was an incredible opportunity to grow the game. Mistakes were made. It was incredibly sad.

“It was the worst time of my rugby life, post the World Cup. It should have been a time of planning, celebration and growth, but it was the toughest and saddest time.”

Fast-forward to 2019, the ANC are the primary political party for more than three decades, and heading into a Rugby World Cup year, was to ultimately come out in victory. However, in the underbelly, S.A. wanted to show the rugby world how far it has come since 1995 when Chester Williams was the solitary player of colour to represent the ‘Rainbow Nation.

Siya Kolisi hoisting the Webb Ellis Trophy, for many South Africans was a moment filled with pride and redemption from its crumbling domestic league. Significantly, the man behind the trophy, Kolisi, the captain, the father of biracial children and an advocate toward ending violence against women and girls around the world, represents modern-day South Africa.

As much as we have to applaud the progress; the pandemic, the annual death toll from gun violence and the organisation of the current Lions Tour, would it be fair to say progress is an overstatement?

Returning to the ANC dilemma, they control all high profile sporting teams in South Africa, including the Springboks.

“Their interference goes as deep as team selections” states Australian Rugby coach Matt Williams in his piece with the Irish Times.

ANC’s fingers have been stuck in the instrumental decision to bring the Lions Tour to South Africa, the same fingers which are disjointed in their own credibility, following the 15-month sentence of former S.A. President Jacob Zuma for corruption.

ANCs motivation is explicit, fragility is not an option. Hosting the biggest rugby tour in South Africa, regardless of the empty stadiums, the lack of immunisation and the civil unrest would be the final straw of their incapacity.

The rugby will undoubtedly drown out the issues. On paper, the Springboks look ferocious. The pack and their physicality have been the theme of discussion and prediction.

They have been fortunate with skipper Siya Kolisi, flyhalf Handre Pollard, wing Makazole Mapimpi, hooker Bongi Mbonambi and loosehead Ox Nche all starting, despite positive Covid-19 results and self-isolations in recent weeks.

The question will be if the Springboks have had enough game time with their respective clubs and can play in unison effectively.

All said and done, can the Springboks and the Lions cherish this moment? The TV viewers will continue to watch in awe and interest with Warren Gatland’s chess moves and Springboks vibrancy on the pitch.

But, for those South Africans caught up in the crossfire of civil unrest, will they ever associate 2021 with that of the Lions Tour and South Africa’s defence of their title?