I cannot help but think that people misunderstand the importance of a franchise in the Eastern Cape and what it will do for transformation in the game of rugby.

I am not surprised however, transformation has grown over the years to be the most hated word amongst rugby supporters for the blatant window dressing it created amongst rugby unions and SA Rugby in large. This in itself can be laid in front of the door of SA Rugby’s administration but that is a discussion for another day.

A large portion of the blame can also go to the guys from the Eastern Cape themselves for continually punting the transformation line to give their cause (to establish a franchise) some form of credibility.

They have a point which I will illustrate a bit later but the way they ‘market’ the region for inclusion into the lucrative Super rugby structures has been done all wrong in my view.

Rugby is an elitist sport, enjoyed mostly by white South Africans. This is thanks largely to the history of our country in the isolation days but one should never blame the love for the game amongst predominantly white people on anything other than what it is, a way of life.

I, like many other white South Africans grew up with rugby from the day I could walk. It was a way of life. It dominated my home life, my social life (with friends and family) and even today, my professional life. From playing with my brothers, cousins (boys and girls), friends and mates in the afternoon, during breaks at school and of course, as a sport while I was in school.

Saturdays was all about rugby. We had knitted jerseys my mom made with our favourite players number on it, my parents friends came over, a braai would be lit, us kids would play rugby in the garden to the amusement of the parents and then everyone would sit in front of the TV when it was game time – it was about the only time the kids were allowed in front of the television in the house with the parents!

It formed part of who I was, my culture, it is what I associated with and felt comfortable with. I identified my heroes and dreamed of one day go and do what they do. I loved the game then, and I still do.

And it is in this where I believe people get it wrong on just what rugby could mean for the black population in South Africa if we do succeed in establishing a franchise in the Eastern Cape.

Although times have changed dramatically in the last 20 years, the traditional big 5 rugby unions does not have a large black supporter following. Apart from the Boland and Western Cape area black rugby struggles in most areas where there is little interest in the game.

The Eastern Cape has always been touted as the ‘base’ or ‘hub’ for black rugby players in South Africa, and rightly so, figures will show you that the biggest concentration of clubs and players are from this region.

Where the region or administration of this region fails in my view however is where they do not seem to recognise that creating a franchise will not magically see an influx of black players to top level rugby, nor will we suddenly see 9 black rugby players selected for the Boks within a year.

What we could however create for the guys here, is something they can associate themselves with. A team which becomes part of their lives, a culture. Where else should we create a culture or association for black people than right where they live? Where most of their ‘heroes’ play the game, a place which they call home, mine, ours.

The biggest transformation coup SA Rugby could wish to achieve will be for the people of the Eastern Cape to start associating themselves with a team, a region, a brand, and their own bunch of heroes competing against the best South Africa has to offer and possibly our Antipodean cousins.

Anyone who thinks the purpose of an Eastern Cape franchise is an immediate fix to increase black playing numbers at top level rugby is living in cuckoo land. Establishing a franchise in the Eastern Cape will in fact in my view, rid us of the social engineering and cosmetic application of transformation in rugby in South Africa, where players and supporters won’t join, follow and play the game for any other reason that they now can associate themselves with something, or someone.

The mechanics surrounding building a franchise is simple in my view and something we discussed many times. With the correct administration there should be no reason why the Eastern Cape cannot build a successful rugby franchise.

Our fanatical support for rugby was born out of a culture where rugby is a religion, we need to do the same with the Eastern Cape, but firstly we must give them something to play for.