Rugby Today in South Africa
Photo by TracyJaneShaw on Pixabay
New Zealand’s victory in the final of the 2015 Rugby World Cup was a watershed moment for rugby in South Africa. It also marked a changing of the guard, with the old order of traditional rugby nations no longer the dominant force. The new rugby world is led by fast and fluid teams blessed with exceptional individuals who can break any defensive line in split seconds. New Zealand has left its mark on South African rugby in terms of playing style and skill. Their Super Rugby franchises – Chiefs, Crusaders, and Hurricanes – have revived local rugby. The depth of talent has grown thanks exponentially to these franchises, making for excellent viewing for fans worldwide at home, bars, or pubs. But does this bode well for South African rugby as a whole? Are we witnessing an emergence of new, young players from other countries who may become future stars? And what is the state of professionalism within our game locally? This article delves into these questions more…
Competition is key
One of the most crucial aspects of the rise of the new rugby order is introducing more teams with more matches played. With the advent of the expansion to Super Rugby, the number of games has significantly increased, thereby bringing more exposure and experience for players. Adding Argentina’s Jaguares and Japan’s Sunwolves to the southern hemisphere competition means that teams must travel and play more games away from home. The South African franchises – the Stormers, Sharks, and Lions – indicated more exposure and opposition. They have played more games, which has enabled their players to gain experience and develop their games. The southern hemisphere has been the breeding ground of the best players in the world, but now they have more teams to compete in their conference, meaning the level of competition has risen.
## Super Rugby has produced new talent
In the last two to three years, many new players have emerged from Super Rugby who will be regarded as future southern hemisphere greats. The likes of New Zealand’s Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick, and Beauden Barrett, and Australia’s Samu Kerevi and Michael Hooper have been household names in the northern hemisphere for a while now. They have also featured for their respective nations at the Rugby World Cup. Many of the new players from Super Rugby have gone on to feature for their countries at the RWC. New Zealand’s Jack Goodhue and George Bridge, Australia’s Jordan Mail and Michael Hooper, and Argentina’s Tomas Lavanini have been exceptional, making their mark at the tournament.
Xhosa’s Nemani Nadolo and the Sharks’ Coenie Oosthuizen are two Springboks to watch
They have battled against each other at the Super Rugby level, but Nadolo and Oosthuizen have also played against each other on the international stage. Nadolo has featured for Fiji, whereas Oosthuizen has represented South Africa a few times. The two players have been exceptional throughout the tournament, showcasing their ability to break down defenses with agility, pace, and power. Nadolo has made the number 13 jersey his own at the Sharks, and his try-scoring ability makes him a dangerous player to face. Oosthuizen, on the other hand, is the kind of player you want on your team. He’s the person that makes all the little tackles, rucks, and carries, meaning you can rely on him to get the ball back for you. That being said, with the way Super Rugby is evolving, we will likely see many bold new players emerge in the future.
African players are making their mark in Super Rugby.
In recent years, the Super Rugby teams have signed many young players from South Africa and across the African continent. This signifies the growing partnership between the southern and northern hemispheres. One of the biggest signings from Africa has been the Stormers’ signing of Springbok center Dillyn Leyds. Leyds, who hails from a rugby-playing family, has been exceptional in his first two seasons at the Stormers and was recently called up to the Springbok squad. Another player who has made a name for himself is the Lions’ hooker, Malcolm Marx. He has been a mainstay for the Lions since his debut in 2016, and he has been rewarded for his consistent performances with a call-up to the Springbok squad. Other African Super Rugby players to have made their mark include the Sharks’ Makazole Mapimpi, the Jaguares’ Emiliano Boffelli, and the Sunwolves’ Riaan Loots.
Professionalism is still a work-in-progress
The increased exposure, games, and travel that comes with Super Rugby is one of the critical areas where South African rugby has seen an increase in professionalism. But there are still areas that need work. The facilities that host the teams and players are often sub-par, and the commercial aspect of rugby has seen an upward trend in recent years, but it still has a long way to go. The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has been a huge benefactor of the growth of Super Rugby in recent years. Although the tournament is based in the southern hemisphere, it travels to all corners of the globe, increasing the exposure and commercial viability of rugby in the country.
Conclusion
The good thing about rugby is that it is a game played in all parts of the world, meaning it is a truly global sport. The southern and northern hemispheres have learned from each other and influenced one another thanks to expansion and technology. The game is played on different pitches and surfaces, which means that teams are exposed to different playing conditions. This has resulted in each of them having an advantage in certain situations. The advent of the northern hemisphere and its playing style has influenced how the southern hemisphere teams play. It has meant that they have had to adopt a more expansive and attacking playing style because their opposition is used to playing differently. This has also had a knock-on effect on South African rugby, which has had to adapt to a new playing style.
