RWC 2023: The State of Play – South Africa
After our profile on rival bidders Ireland, it’s time to turn our attention to the sole entrant from the Southern Hemisphere and see just what South Africa plans to offer in their bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
South Africa
Having last hosted the competition in 1995, South Africa have been unsuccessful in bids for the 2011, 2015 and 2019 tournaments. There will be many who feel that it’s about time for the Rainbow Nation to be given the honours again, rather than another European country. That being said, repeated unsuccessful attempts arguably indicate some systemic problems preventing South Africa fighting off competing bids. World Rugby (or the IRB as it was at the time) will likely have provided some feedback addressing why South Africa have failed in the past, so if they’ve addressed these issues then the experience of previous failure may actually turn out to be a good thing.
Indeed, South Africa’s bid manages to successfully argue both that they are long-deserving of a crack at hosting and that they have the expertise and experience necessary to do a good job. The FIFA World Cup in 2010 as well as a host of other sporting and cultural events means the infrastructure is in place, with the committee declaring that there will be no stadium developments required in order to meet specifications. Despite this, they still plan to invest £3.6million to install Grassmaster hybrid pitches at each venue in an attempt to ensure a safe and entertaining playing environment.
Player welfare is central to South Africa’s proposal, declaring their bid to be the most “player-centric” in history. Seemingly every specification in this regard set out by World Rugby has been beaten – training facilities are a maximum of 17 minutes away from designated hotels rather than the requisite 30 minutes, teams will be able to retain their base camps when travelling and of the teams that do have to travel for pool games, they will only do so once. The schedule, the facilities and the support on offer have all been designed to be as player-friendly as possible, and with World Rugby espousing their “Player Welfare” priorities recently, this could be an opportunity for some much needed good PR on this front.
The experience of supporters is of course just as important to the South African bid. A major selling point for travelling fans is the comparatively cheap costs in the country, with everything from accommodation to food and beer calculated to be significantly easier on the wallet than in France or Ireland. On the other hand, questions have been raised about affordability for South African citizens, so there’s a chance that organisers will be relying on overseas visitors to shift tickets.
This might be easier said than done however. Rightly or wrongly, South Africa still has something of a reputation security-wise, and with political unrest and governmental upheaval currently making global headlines, it may be tougher than hoped to attract supporters to the country. Organisers will point to the fact that the FIFA World Cup and other recent tournaments proceeded without major incident, but they will still need to alleviate potential concerns around safety if they can hope to sell enough tickets to deliver on their promised returns.
Speaking of the government, the bid team will be delighted to see a pledge of 2.7million Rand from Sports Minister Thulas Nxesi. This is a huge turnaround from the start of the hosting campaign, when the government banned the rugby union from bidding in 2016 due to its failure to provide enough opportunities for black players. An agreement has clearly been reached, but World Rugby will be keeping a close eye on the potentially turbulent political situation and are unlikely to react well to any signs of instability or risk.
As for the union itself, South Africa is in a very strange position currently. The issues with the Super Rugby franchises didn’t help perceptions at a club level, and internationally questions are also being asked. Formerly one of the biggest sides on the global stage, mixed performances on the pitch coupled with off-field issues mean that the Springboks are no longer truly a superstar team. They still have the name value, but anyone who’s followed their performances in recent years will know that they’re a shadow of the side they once were. Despite that, they still keep turning in enough good performances to indicate the potential to return to their previously heady heights, and an opportunity to have the World Cup in their own back yard may bring some much needed focus and public support to the team.
After pushing into new territory with Japan 2019, World Rugby may be inclined to return to a more traditional setting for the next edition of the tournament. South Africa has a rich rugby history and some truly beautiful settings, so the tournament would be guaranteed some compelling narratives and awe-inspiring atmosphere. The bid may lack Ireland’s promise to help expand rugby into North America, but the opportunity to stabilise the sport in one of its former superpowers may be tempting for World Rugby due to the increasing divide between the All Blacks and the rest of the Southern Hemisphere.
Verdict:
South Africa have exceeded even France by pledging £160million to World Rugby, and have emphasised the quality of the facilities and infrastructure for both players and supporters. However, World Rugby might consider political instability and the questionable state of the South African Rugby Union to mean the tournament is much more commercially risky than France or Ireland. The potential to rejuvenate the formerly mighty Springboks and return Rugby Union to its place at the centre of South African sporting culture will of course be tempting for the decision makers. South Africa currently sit second in the bookies predictions, but the late financial surge from France means the possibility of a return to Johannesburg is increasingly unlikely.
Comments on RugbyPass
Let’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
121 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
1 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
4 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
121 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
36 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
4 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
121 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
36 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
36 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
16 Go to comments