SA Rugby: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

South African rugby has been a rollercoaster ride of late, with some incredible highs and some disappointing lows. Here's a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of the past few months:

The Good:

• The Springboks' World Cup win: The Boks put in a remarkable performance to win the 2019 World Cup, beating England in a thrilling final. It was a fitting end to a tournament that saw the Boks play with passion, determination, and skill.
• The rise of young stars: A number of young players have emerged for the Boks in recent years, including Lukhanyo Am, Cheslin Kolbe, and Herschel Jantjies. These players have brought a new energy and excitement to the team, and they will be key to the Boks' future success.
• The development of the PRO14 Rainbow Cup: The PRO14 Rainbow Cup was a new competition that was created in 2021. It saw South African teams competing against teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Italy. The competition was a success, and it gave South African teams a chance to test themselves against some of the best teams in Europe.

The Bad:

• The Springboks' poor form in 2020: The Boks had a disappointing 2020 season, winning just three of their six matches. They were particularly poor in the Rugby Championship, where they finished last. The Boks' poor form was a concern, and it raised questions about the team's ability to defend their World Cup title.
• The lack of transformation in South African rugby: Transformation has been a slow process in South African rugby. Despite the efforts of the South African Rugby Union (SARU), there are still not enough black players in the national team and in the country's top clubs. This is a problem that needs to be addressed, and it is one that SARU is working hard to solve.
• The financial problems of the South African Rugby Union: SARU has been struggling financially in recent years. The union has been forced to make cuts to its staff and programs, and it has also had to rely on government bailouts. The financial problems of SARU are a concern, and they could have a negative impact on the development of rugby in South Africa.

The Ugly:

• The racism scandal involving Rassie Erasmus: Former Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was involved in a racism scandal in 2021. Erasmus was accused of making racist comments to a black referee. The scandal was a major embarrassment for South African rugby, and it damaged the reputation of the sport.
• The violence at the Ellis Park stadium: A violent incident occurred at the Ellis Park stadium in 2022. A group of fans attacked a group of security guards. The incident was a reminder of the ongoing problem of violence in South African society.


• The doping scandal involving Aphiwe Dyantyi: Aphiwe Dyantyi, one of South Africa's most promising young players, was banned from rugby for four years in 2020 after testing positive for a banned substance. The scandal was a major blow to South African rugby, and it raised questions about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport.

The past few months have been a rollercoaster ride for South African rugby. There have been some incredible highs, but there have also been some disappointing lows. Despite the challenges, South African rugby remains a force to be reckoned with. The Boks are still the world champions, and they have a number of young players who are ready to take the team to even greater heights. However, there is still work to be done in terms of transformation and the financial stability of SARU. If these issues can be addressed, then South African rugby has a bright future ahead of it.

Call to Action:

South African rugby is at a crossroads. It has the potential to be one of the best rugby nations in the world, but it also faces a number of challenges. It is up to all stakeholders in the game to work together to overcome these challenges and to build a brighter future for South African rugby.