As we start the new year of rugby with some Champions and Challenge Cup action this weekend, we thought it would be good to look at a few resolutions that might make a big difference to the game in SA. And a little in the rest of the world too…
Brenden Nel’s tongue is firmly in his cheek!
1. SA Rugby and the Boks: a deal that is worthy of our beloved heroes
Much has been said and written about the protracted negotiations for the equity deal currently on the table at SA Rugby. And while we won’t get into specifics, one thing is clear: SA Rugby believes the Springbok brand - as double World Cup champions - is undervalued, and needs an equity injection to take the brand to the next level.
Covid showed how precarious the situation can be if an unforeseen event hits the sport, and long-term planning and reserves are vital to the game. That, and sustainability from season to season are important cogs that need to be secured.
So whatever deal it is in the end, may SA Rugby get it over the line for the good of all of South African Rugby.
Resolution: A deal resolution…
What is your one rugby wish for 2025? 🌠 pic.twitter.com/QSs4gmenNQ
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) December 31, 2024
2. Swys: put the women Boks in the spotlight
This is the year of the Women’s 2025 Rugby World Cup, and the women Boks have made great strides over the past few years, and certainly impressed since Swys de Bruin took over the reins of the team earlier this year.
De Bruin is known for his exceptional ability to click with players and get the best out of them, and while the women Boks are rank underdogs at a tournament where they aren’t expected to feature, may they score an upset or two, and make the world notice that they can’t be taken lightly.
Resolution: make this the year the world starts taking us seriously
Jake White has likened his Vodacom Bulls loose trio for the #VURC derby at the Shark Tank to his Springbok one that won the Rugby World Cup in 2007 🗣️💪 pic.twitter.com/Exbnrtp0Wn
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) December 20, 2024
3. Currie Cup: what is its place?
We all love the Currie Cup, and know the passion that it inspires in all of us, but unless a permanent place is found in the calendar for it, it will continue to be a tournament that struggles to reach its potential.
Much of this has to do with the lack of a global calendar, but perhaps it is time to accept its future is that of a development tournament for the URC and Springboks. Whatever it is, let’s finalise it so we can make it part of our rugby thinking ahead of time.
Resolution: now that our overall calendar is set at the highest level, let’s give our lost child a permanent home in the year.
Ever wondered what kind of conversation the referee and the players have before a rugby match?
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) December 26, 2024
We've dug this one out the archives from a old coastal derby with Jaco Peyper 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/HLQKDJs8yS
4. Hollywoodbets Sharks: let the stars shine
While this goes for all the sides in the URC, it applies particularly to the Sharks. The chance to see all their Springboks in action, week after week, without injuries, would be the best thing ever.
While their owners may want a bigger salary cap (who wouldn’t?) the chance to see their best players play a string of games week in and out would do wonders for the franchise, and we would love to see it.
Resolution: get rid of any pesky cloudy reasons and let the Hollywood(bets) stars shine week in, week out.
We dug into the archives to find Antoine Dupont's only appearance in South Africa 👀
It came back in 2017 at Kings Park off the bench for France in a 37-15 loss 🇫🇷⏪
Dupont and Toulouse are back at the Shark Tank for this weekend's #InvestecChampionsCup battle 🍿 pic.twitter.com/qDY2Wkv3YB
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) January 7, 2025
5. Emirates Lions – find that belief
There is no doubt that when the Emirates Lions are in full flight, they are a wonder to behold.
They have this ability to score tries from anywhere, but too often they hold back, are overwhelmed by street smart opposition, or simply don’t seem to believe they can go toe-to-toe with the big guns.
May this change and may they throw caution to the wind at times, to show just how good they can be.
Resolution: find a way to express that belief and show us how the Lions can truly roar.
6. DHL Stormers – what’s with all those injuries?
The Stormers have a galactico backline of their own, but the number of injuries they have had over the past few seasons has been gobsmacking.
To see the likes of Manie Libbok, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse and Warrick Gelant in the same backline would be wonderful, but it hasn’t happened yet.
The same for Evan Roos, Salmaan Moerat and others. How long must we wait before we see their true potential?
Resolution: physio team to bring their A-game for an extended period so we can see a full-strength Stormers team in action
The previous #InvestecChampionsCup clash between the Stormers and Sale Sharks was a thriller in Cape Town 💥 pic.twitter.com/HYjuI7P89y
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) January 8, 2025
7. Vodacom Bulls - put the nearly-men tag to bed
Jake White is a coach you either love or hate, but the Bulls have built themselves into a formidable side in the URC and despite their losses in the past few weeks, they are still one of the best teams in the competition.
The two losses in the URC finals have been bitter pills to swallow for White and a heartbreaking loss in the Currie Cup semifinal didn’t make things easier.
So whether it is this season or next, for the Bulls to finally show their potential and not get tripped up at the last hurdle.
Resolution: learn from recent experiences, and use them to finally secure a much-deserved trophy
The Vodacom Bulls love a try against French opposition in the #InvestecChampionsCup and up next is Castres on Saturday 🐂💨 pic.twitter.com/ffrrxgMdBI
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) January 8, 2025
8. World Rugby – that calendar!
Where do we start? Well, for one, please can we finally sort out a global calendar that will take the sport forward?
South African players have played 12-month seasons for three years now and the injuries in the URC teams tell a story of how that has affected SA Rugby.
So for player welfare and several other reasons, can we get there?
Resolution: finalisation of a global rugby calendar that will allow our best players to finally get some rest.
9. Springboks - keep on keeping on
There isn’t much to complain about for Bok fans. The team lost just two games (both by a point), won a host of series trophies, the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, and swept their Autumn International series.
Pieter-Steph du Toit was World Player of the Year and the Boks absolutely dominated the World Rugby Team of Year.
So to Rassie and co, keep on keeping on. Dankie (or as he says it - Danko) and thanks for the memories. Here’s to more tries, and new heroes in 2025.
Resolution: whatever last year’s one was – same again please.
10. SA rugby fans – keep it real
This last one may seem contentious, but as every winning team in professional sport knows, there is the tendency to get overconfident, to become boastful. and to take to social media channels and become ‘that guy’.
SA Rugby is in a very good spot at the end of 2024, and we should appreciate it. Remember the lows of 2016 and 2017, and know that, no matter how some folks across the globe want to make us the bad boys of rugby, there is so much good to appreciate it.
So stay humble, enjoy the ride and know that it can change very quickly.
Resolution: come on buggers, don’t be ‘that guy’ on the socials...
That’s it in a nutshell, a smorgasbord of a wishlist, after an exceptional year for SA Rugby.
Happy new year, and may 2025 be as exceptional (and drama filled) as 2024.