Transforming the way we think
15 Oct 2012
MARK KEOHANE, in his Business Day newspaper column, writes that the story of the Kings should be about hope and not ridicule.
The South African Rugby Union has never believed in the Eastern Cape as anything but an irritation to professional rugby but also a corporate cash cow in the name of development.
If any within the current administration refutes this then I challenge them to publicly apologise to the region for the way in which entry to Super Rugby was finalised and to apologise for making the Kings hated among a certain sector of provincial South African fan because they replaced a South African team, in the form of the Lions.
Saru’s apathy to the Eastern Cape needs to consistently be challenged. It has always been this way since professionalism in 1996. Saru, when convenient, uses the Eastern Cape as the missing link to a rugby rainbow nation but those with the responsibility within Saru have never had the heart and intent to make it the link. Instead all love for the Eastern Cape has been commercially and politically motivated.
It is disgusting. It has always been disgusting. It won’t easily change.
The Kings, on Super Rugby entry, should have been the good-news story of unity. It should have been fully endorsed because in a united rainbow nation it is very necessary to have a team from within the Eastern Cape in Super Rugby’s biggest southern hemisphere tournament. The Kings, representative of rugby in the Eastern Cape, should have been the missing link to show the game has finally transformed, not in black playing numbers, but by way of the thinking among administrators, supporters and the media in South Africa.
The backlash, resentment and resistance to the Kings suggests there is more than one link missing in a united South Africa and a united South African rugby structure.
Equally disturbing is how so many supporters refuse to see the significance of the Eastern Cape within the context of a healthy professional South African rugby international presence.
The administration has never surprised me. They have neither the intellectual capital nor the charisma (as individuals or a collective) to inspire. The game’s growth needs pioneers and instead the conveyer belt only produces pensioners, if not by age then certainly by way of enthusiasm and aspiration.
The administration of South African rugby has allowed for an emotional distaste for the Kings among supporters that is misplaced.
The Kings have not replaced the Lions in Super Rugby. They were given introduction to the tournament in place of the South African team that has been the worst performer in Super Rugby in 2012. Not historically, but only this year.
The Lions supporters really have to blame their players, coaches and the Lions administration that the Lions were the ones to make way. The Lions were the architects of their own demise, however temporary it may be.
Saru’s leadership, throughout the last year, have allowed for the resentment from those supporters to fester into something ugly. Not once has a voice within Saru preached perspective and done it with conviction. The platitudes have been that the Kings would play Super Rugby because it was best for South African rugby; that the decision was about transformation and had to be made.
What a cop out.
Transformation is in the way we should be thinking, not in how many black friends we have or how many black players the provincial or regional or national coach selects.
Transformation should be about the right kind of change and not change for the sake of change.
The Kings, as an entity, should have reflected the change of thinking in South African rugby but it has only reinforced how little has changed in the thinking within the game in this country.
Alan Solomons, formerly as EP head coach and now director of rugby, has done an unrivalled job with the EP Kings when you unemotionally consider what he has transformed about Eastern Province rugby in the last four years.
Those who disagree with me will do so on emotion and by way of not having been privy to the transformation, as a rugby entity, from four years ago.
Before you rant and accuse me of being on the Kings payroll, take a drive or get on bus, train or plane and sit with Solomons and do your own analysis of what has been achieved over the last four years.
There is so much vitriol aimed at the Kings because of Saru’s refusal to endorse change and absolute conviction that Sanzar would accommodate a sixth South African team.
The vitriol should be at those who govern our game, not the Kings, who on Saturday won the Currie Cup First Division in a titanic struggle against the Pumas.
To borrow from an American president, those within South African rugby should ask not what the Kings can do for them but more what Saru, as the custodians of the game in this country, could have done for the Kings.
Currently they have done nothing but set them up for Super Rugby failure and sadly they’ve hoodwinked so many supporters to embrace the prospect of this failure because they’ve made the Kings the bad guy, the Lions the fall guy and stood tall as the good guy.
Think about it …
942 Comments
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15 Oct 2012, 20:16 pm
@LoanShark-595:
Not for long chap, start losing a few and the cheques will start bouncing? What then? Rely on home grown talent?
15 Oct 2012, 20:17 pm
nc nc nc nc
Transformer you want the evidence!
YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE EVIDENCE#@!
Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:03
“We have got an agreed-upon funding model that was decided in 2009 that includes all six franchises and that model runs up until 2015./b>
Try and tell me now that the Kings have not been getting their share of the super rugby money since 2009.
15 Oct 2012, 20:17 pm
@ahasaid theclown-591: Yip, would agree there, but also, are there any current black players that didnt actually come through the so called white school systems?
15 Oct 2012, 20:18 pm
evidence!
15 Oct 2012, 20:19 pm
That Katman naaier has done his utmost to provoke Skop.
He in my humble opinion is the biggest doos on this blog and that includes, Hondo, Capo (who I must admit surprises me occasionally with his intellect), Sharks lover (comes across as trailer park trash) and even “no substance” Skeppie.
15 Oct 2012, 20:20 pm
@phil72-601: They should just accept the fact that nobody is interested in rugby in KZN.
15 Oct 2012, 20:21 pm
@phil72-590: And 70% wp boys make up the BUlls squad so whats your point ?? ur serioulsy so immature its scary, trying to gatkryp even the likes of capo to gain a friend just shows how desperate you are.
15 Oct 2012, 20:22 pm
@blue and white stripes-605: speak for yourself you inbred clown,
15 Oct 2012, 20:23 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-593: I been banned .. I know when I been banned.. one minute you post the next you post don’t get published.. that = banned.. nothing but banned.
15 Oct 2012, 20:23 pm
@blue and white stripes-605: h you yelloow spined dog and come back with your normal ID on here. lowlife
15 Oct 2012, 20:24 pm
@ahasaid theclown-609: Skoppie you must hold some kind of record for being banned
15 Oct 2012, 20:25 pm
@sharks_lover-608:
See you are like a “common” railway worker.
15 Oct 2012, 20:25 pm
@wnbb-606: And you should accept the fact that ur a waste of human skin and lack serious education! NOw stfu and take ur nose out ur new found BB buddies @ss.
15 Oct 2012, 20:25 pm
@mxhosa-571: yours is intsomi yombuzo but a reasonable one, part of the answer you will find in the article of this thread…
what leadership has ANYONE at SARU shown on this issue? where is Regan Hoskins to breakdown exactly what their Transformation Charter entails, what are their short-term goals?
Oregan Hoskins is the biggest snake EVER! that man is shifty chap.
Without leadership from SARU the unions are left to their devices & not being pushed they stand still. Why did it take ABSA to nudge SARU on transformation in the currie cup?
How did the sms sent to Regan’s cellphone by the ABSA exec get in the hands of the Solidarity union?
SARU are happy to just keep paying lip service and make fancy powerpoint presentations Parliament
15 Oct 2012, 20:25 pm
@trupisero-603: Let me rephrase that to privileged schools.
Even in my day at school in PE the black guys that made the Craven week sides tended to come from the more affluent schools such as Grey, St Andrews, etc.
15 Oct 2012, 20:25 pm
@sharks_lover-607:
Are you suggesting that the South African greats were developed in KZN? You are truly dumber than I thought!
15 Oct 2012, 20:26 pm
@blue and white stripes-612: Nope never worked on the railways dude but you obviously have.
SPineless gomgat
15 Oct 2012, 20:26 pm
@phil72-616:
@phil72-616:
And that is really dumb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
15 Oct 2012, 20:27 pm
@mxhosa-571:
Forget that subject Xhego. It has been raised here in the past and was just a heartbreaking exercise. The excuses that came up as a justification, la madlagusha awasoze atshintshe. Yiva ndikuxelela.
Kusekho laa nto yokuba yeyabo ibhola embhoxo, jonga ukuba benza ntoni kule ntwana yaka Jantjies xa kuphela unyaka. It is the same as in America not so long ago, there was a belief that Blacks can never make good quarter back. Same argument here in our rugby. You only have to observe Meyer.
15 Oct 2012, 20:28 pm
@phil72-616: Some were and some were not, you idiot, you also forget your Daniville ilk used to steal the players from other provinces in the name of military and Police etc.
wake up spunkbubble, you make a 4×4 plank look intelligent
15 Oct 2012, 20:28 pm
@ahasaid theclown-609:
wow ok, just checking.
its crazy they would ban you and let so many of the other posters get away with their utterances.
i wonder you wrote a heartfelt email letter of threat and concern to the moderators…?.. if thats where it came from.
15 Oct 2012, 20:29 pm
@phil72-616: Sure as hell wasn’t in EC.
The last decent team EP had was early 90s.
15 Oct 2012, 20:31 pm
Where is Fudge by the way
15 Oct 2012, 20:33 pm
@sharks_lover-620:
As long as you believe that the Sharks develop rugby talent you are not worth talking to. Grow up, grow a pair and come back when your artificial intelligence doubles!
15 Oct 2012, 20:34 pm
@sharks_lover-617:
You definitely didn’t go to one of the more established schools, like Hilton, Michaelhouse, DHS, Glenwood, Maritzburg College etc.
15 Oct 2012, 20:35 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-621:
i wonder you wrote a heartfelt email letter of threat and concern to the moderators…?
should read:
i wonder who wrote a heartfelt email letter of threat and concern to the moderators complaining…? if thats where it came from
15 Oct 2012, 20:36 pm
@trupisero-615: all the more reason to promote the sport at the grass roots in the rural towns and all around areas where it is burgeoning as a potential for development..
the top traditional (white) rugby schools carry all the infrastructure and facility to develop players to provincial and national level but it needs to get exposed further afield and recognition of talent will only be noticed when the net of potential is cast beyond the privileged schools where only those exposed in those areas get recognition and promotion currently
15 Oct 2012, 20:36 pm
@Peter Mkata-572:
Sorry Sarah, that was meant for Katman.
15 Oct 2012, 20:37 pm
Katman did it
15 Oct 2012, 20:40 pm
@Transformation-614: now that you have your evidence what are you going to do with it – explain away why that money was not used to sign up players to gain currie cup entry – explain away Luke’s 3 million a year – explain the Land Rovers
15 Oct 2012, 20:41 pm
@Dawn-629:
i would be genuinely surprised if it was katman.
whatever their differences i dont think he’d go that far.
in a weird way i think they both enjoy ranting at each other.
15 Oct 2012, 20:42 pm
outta here.
nite all
15 Oct 2012, 20:43 pm
@phil72-624: You are wasting your energy ,phil.Sharkievarkie supporters are the most delusional supporters you can find anywhere on mother earth.When SL is normally on the bottle,’sense’ is a foreign concept to him.
15 Oct 2012, 20:44 pm
@RL-630:
> explain the Land Rovers
Do tell???
15 Oct 2012, 20:46 pm
land rovers?
i thought it was range rovers?
15 Oct 2012, 20:49 pm
@Dawn-629:
where is the EVIDENCE! you cannot make unfounded allegations without any EVIDENCE!
15 Oct 2012, 20:49 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-635:
Now did you not know that driving expensive cars were only designed for the privileged few, like the Stompies Bulls and Varkies…. How dare they!!!!
15 Oct 2012, 20:50 pm
KZN is more known for its cricketing greats than rugby greats…fact.What is also a fact is that Zulu boys are into Amazulu and other football teams,white boys prefer cricket as well as Indians.Only the Afrikaner boys from Noord-Natal had a real interest in rugby in that province back in the days.
15 Oct 2012, 20:50 pm
RL: this much attention is flattering but you must be as dumb as it was suggested earlier!
please post the LINK to the whole article please!
they have a “funding model that includes all 6 franchises”?
you are aware that the Spears were f.ucked over in 2006 neh?
nc nc nc indeed..
don’t be desperate
15 Oct 2012, 20:50 pm
@victoriabok-634: @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-635:
land or range what is the difference -a rover is a rover.
15 Oct 2012, 20:51 pm
@sharks_lover-620:
How the scotch flowing?
15 Oct 2012, 20:51 pm
RL: this much attention is flattering but you must be as dumb as it was suggested earlier!
please post the LINK to the whole article please!
they have a “funding model that includes all 6 franchises”?
you are aware that the Spears were f.ucked over in 2006 neh?
nc nc nc indeed..
don’t be desperate
15 Oct 2012, 20:54 pm
@Transformation-639:
google it – here is a clue “Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:03″
when Jurie Roux said that no franchise would lose out at the expense of another what do you think he meant – they get the super cheque so no-one loses?
Naive Transformer, naive you are.
15 Oct 2012, 20:55 pm
“We have got an agreed-upon funding model that was decided in 2009 that includes all six franchises and that model runs up until 2015.
evidence.
15 Oct 2012, 20:56 pm
@phil72-637:
ag look, i dont really have a problem with it per se. i would have hoped they would prioritise other more meaningful aspects of their development instead, over such ridiculously ostentatious expressions of wealth
which to be honest would not actually fit the profiles involved but would rather be cases of overeach more likely. which is to say, the purchase and ownership of a vehicle should to some extent fit the level of wealth an individual posseses as a percentage thereof.
you know, like buying a diamond ring for your fiance, the common wisdom is it should be a factor of your salary over a certain period of time.
anyway, i just wish they do some good with some of this money too.
15 Oct 2012, 20:59 pm
Keo
Another article aimed at your paymasters
Kings deserve nothing but outrage. They were given a lucky ticket and now moan?
Who am I to argue seems that everything is done on a lucky ticket
15 Oct 2012, 21:00 pm
@transformation-614:
That Hoskins is a snake indeed! He fucked PDV over from the get go…. Talking about him not being appointed for rugby reasons alone, when his record record was similar to the previous coach. Divvy was on a hiding to nothing from then on. What happened to the proposal that Gert Smal had for the development of rugby in the EC? Are these politicians so thick that can’t see past this bullshit? Why aren’t they asking the right questions about the development of black players in this country? Hoskins has a lot answer for.
Speaking of the CC and transformation… Two weeks ago the Lions, Cheetahs and Griquas had only 2 black wingers betweem them in their starting line ups. That’s 2 player out of 45 and 4 out of 66 when you include the other 2 on the bench. How is this still happening in 2012? 20 years after re-admission…. And the politicians expect the boks to be laden with black players. Where the hell is the coach gonna get them from? When they’re not playing in a CC that is essentially a glorified version of the vodacom cup.
15 Oct 2012, 21:01 pm
@JL1-646: where is the evidence that Keo is being paid by his King clients?
15 Oct 2012, 21:01 pm
@ahasaid theclown-627: well why do it in EP and not everywhere?
Maybe everywhere has a Cheeky Kotze present?
15 Oct 2012, 21:01 pm
ffs just post the link…
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