OK, so the Cheetahs and the Lions has both shown that they simply cannot cut it in the Super 14. Every year, at the end of the competition, there are one or two surprise results, then all of their fans jump back into the fray, proclaiming some sort of an upward curve, just so they are destroyed from the word go in the following year’s competition.
This is becoming a tired exercise, and South African rugby are made to look a spectacle. What can we do to alleviate the problem?
The only logical answer is one that many of the above two teams’ supporters shudder at hearing, one word, four letters….CATS!
OK, it’s a stupid name, but it’s only that, a name, and it can be changed whichever way you like it. But think of the possibilities a united franchise brings to the table.
Step one, select an interim board to do duty during the Super 15 competition, delegates from both unions, and maybe one or two from SARU itself, just to keep the peace. If the Springboks can play together for the sake of National honour, then surely the Lions and the Cheetahs can make do with playing together, in the interest of sponsorship and financial gain. Just get someone from Pretoria to do the contracts.
Step Two, appoint a Director of Rugby, and a Team Manager, not aligned with either of the unions, think someone like Jake White, with the head coaches of each team, doing duty as assistant coaches, to promote fluency. This DOR reports directly to the Interim Board, and is not an employee of either the two unions, as such, with the exception of the assistant coaches, the DOR will employ his own management team, either from the unions or from elsewhere.
Step Three, appoint a selection panel, consisting of the two provincial team managers, and then two other members, identified by the board, from outside the two unions, to maintain a level understanding of the whole situation.
Step Four, enter the new Franchise, let’s call them the STAMPEDE for argument’s sake, a truly serious contender, which then also leaves room for the Southern Kings, the new wooden spoonists, but more importantly, 4 Competitive teams from South Africa.
I cannot see, in professional rugby, why this blueprint cannot be successful. Logistic wise, use Coca-Cola Park as headquarters for the actual competition, this is purely business, as Coca-Cola Park have more seats, more people and, as such, a greater income that can be split between the unions.
Vodacom Park can host all pre-season activities and matches, again, this is from a business point only, one has to go where the feet are, and Jo’Burg has lots of feet, feet that are hungry for winning rugby, while not even Test Rugby can fill up Vodacom Park. Also, a team actually capable of winning, might just be a better bet for prospective sponsors.
Think of the teams you could push into the field:
1. Heinke van der Merwe / Wian du Preez
2. Adriaan Strauss / Hans van Dijk / Hannes Franklin
3. WP Nel / JC Janse van Rensburg
4. Nico Breedt / Barend Pieterse / Waltie Vermeulen
5. Franco van der Merwe / Nico Luus / Willem Stoltz
6. Baywatch Grobbelaar / Heinrich Brussouw / Henro Scholtz
7. Juan Smith / Tod Clever / Frans Viljoen
8. Wikus van Heerden / Derick Minnie / Ashley Johnson
9. Jano Vermaak / Tewis de Bruyn / Coetzee
10. Carlos Spencer / Herkie Kruger / Naas Olivier
11. Lionel Mapoe / Jongi Nokwe / Thandile Mjekewu
12. Meyer Bosman / Doppie le Grange / Walter Venter
13. Corne Uys / Robert Ebersohn / Marius Delport
14. Michael Killian / Tonderai Chavanga / Wilson Pekeur
15. Hennie Daniller / Riaan Viloen / Earl Rose
Enough talent to at least compete at the same level, and this is just off the top of my head. Maybe even lure some foreign based players home. Because apart, we might never see any one of these two teams achieve anything…ever.
It seems like a good idea but how are the Spears going to get together a few hundred bar a year to run the franchise? Who would want to sponsor those clowns?
Goodness Sainty…. do you want both the Lions and Cheetahs supporters to bliksem you simultaneously?
But I agree, it is a sensible solution…
But we know that the internal workings at both Unions will have a hissy-fit!
Makes sense to me. I had the same idea in another thread. That might just be the best solution.
This seems like a good idea on paper but how are the Spears going to source players and be competitive and afford to have 45 professional players in there union? They will get hammered worse than the Lions if they dont have the correct backing.
@1 Cheeky is a rich man. He should put his money where his mouth is, but I don’t think that will happen.
Rugbybal…Cheeky is not a rich man, actually it’s his brothers who are the tycoon, he is just a racist plonker…
Government should sponsor the Kings…
Their name could be the “Soustrein Southern Kings with Spears”
#7
Ag screw the Kings…if these teams combine, they will get their chance, maybe they will even be able to get through the season, with half their players still alive…
I dont care how rich you are,you need corporate backing to run a professional rugby team..
Is it true that on St Helena during the 2nd Anglo/Boer war, the POW Vrystaters and Transvalers had to be accommodated in seperate camps to prevent the two sides from attacking each other?
Nou vra ek jou, hoe bou ‘n mens nou ‘n rugbynasie assit so gaan?
Sorrie ouens it seems that it wasn’t St Helena.
Here is an extract from “Rugby in the Prisoner-of-War Camps During the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902” by Floris J.G. van der Merwe
Department of Human Movement Studies, University of Stellenbosch:
Due to the overpopulation of the camps on St. Helena, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) became the next venue for Boer prisoner camps. The first prisoners arrived there in August 1900. Altogether five camps were erected in Ceylon, the biggest being Diyatalawa with 4,000 prisoners.
The men formed two groups,Transvalers versus Free Staters, and they called their ‘towns’ Krugersdorp (for the Transvalers) and Steynsburg (Free Staters). Sports teams were also organised along these lines (van der Merwe, 1995, pp. 37, 40). Three months after their
arrival, the Free State had already beaten Transvaal by ten points in rugby (War Museum, 3079/3). In July 1901 it was Transvaal’s turn – winning by three points in one of the best matches seen in Diyatalawa (Transvaal Archive, A 1483). The match took place in front of 1,500 spectators. All the players apparently left the held with some sort of injury (War Museum, 6102/1). It is reported that no mercy was shown and since they played rugby six days a week, the camp newspaper claimed ‘the men cannot last at that rate’ (War Museum, 4656/7). One of the last matches in Diyatalawa was played in torrential rain. When the ball eventually collapsed due to the wet conditions, the players started a mud fight that did not take long to involve the spectators as well (War Museum, 5678/4).
Saint, I don’t think this Cats thing is gonna work given the history…. 😉
Still showed great spirit taken the circumstances if you ask me…
I agree Blouste, but we can now see where all this mudslinging started! 😉
I guess so 😆
1 – 15 @ Blouste en Kitaar – Hell they were almost as mad about rugby as us… 6 days a week… well I do it 7 days a week… heehhehe
Ja, die verskil is net om te speel of te kyk 6 of 7 dae ‘n week 😆
16@ Blouste – Ja, mar hulle hettie bedstoei ook gedoen nie… hehehe
😆
Ook waar ja… Moer as dit afwesig is, wat bly oor…
Hulle kon ook nie ‘n ou verversinkie vat nie en wat bly oor…rugby 😆
Ja, die goeie ou dae…voor Tim Noakes! 😉
He he he Fender
Ja dit lyk deesdae as die ouens nie weet van dit nie kan hulle mos nie seer kry nie 😆
#7 GBS
Nee, ek reckonie Spears moet vi Morne Dup aanstel as Director of Rugby, dan noem onsie span sommer “Spies en Plessis”!
I dont think they can just introduce this new team and then get rid of either the Lions or Cheetahs without the proverbial shit hitting the fan, i know that i know nothing about this but surely whoever gets booted out has still got player contracts to pay and other long term financial commitments.
oh and hello all, thought i was the only one online 🙂
#20 Blouste, shot! Ek stem…. 😉
Hi Treehugger
You doing well ?
“Spies en Plessis” He he he, dit was nogals oorspronklik !!!
Hi Tree,
As you can see its just Blouste and I shooting the breeze here at the moment…
23@ Boomninny – Wees gegroet… met die hand!
Dag Tante!
Aai, niks meer drukkies en soentjies nie 😆
Hi Blouste very well thankyou, am exhausted doing heavey duty manual work removeing rubble from 2 out building that the neighbour knocked down with one those big scooping machines, and putting up new fenceing.
He wasnt supposed knock them down just dig a hole for the rubble for when we took them down so lots of unexpected work.
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