ANTHONY BUTLER: The truth behind the platitudes inspired by Boks victory

Thousands of Siyas remain undetected by the rugby system

10 NOVEMBER 2023

The Springbok victory at the Rugby World Cup generated a vast outpouring of heart-warming commentary. An army of columnists, editorial writers and, sadly, business school professors, treated us to their thoughts about “the lessons we can learn from the Springboks”.

With the assistance of artificial intelligence it is possible to crystallise their millions of words into simple principles: South Africans of all races must come together to achieve a common goal; camaraderie is forged through what unites us rather than what divides us; excellence is a jolly good thing but requires hard work; and stop sulking when you get dropped, it’s (probably) not because you’re white or black.

As the Sunday Times, the nation’s reliable voice of truth, has observed, “as a nation we are, indeed, stronger together”. Admittedly, these platitudes come across as less profound when they are condensed in this way. But they can provide a basic framework for building on the amazing Springbok achievement — so long as we bear in mind three additional lessons, each pointing to the need to think harder about resources.

First, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s effective running maul in Paris allowed him to achieve a Webb Ellis Cup turnover soon after the final whistle. Veteran — and arguably out-of-condition — DA forwards such as First XV captain (and head prefect) John Steenhuisen and gentlemanly Edgemead bruiser Geordin Hill-Lewis, displayed their low centres of gravity in stretchy Springbok jerseys and photobombed the celebrations.

Meanwhile, the ANC Women’s League in KwaZulu-Natal accused provincial chair Siboniso Duma of stealing the cup from premier Nomsa Dube-Ncube — according to the #tallistprovincial secretary, “too short” to participate — during a trophy tour in eThekwini last weekend.

There is no way to stop politicians claiming the credit. What sports authorities must do, in return, is force them to commit public resources (if we can find any) to broad-based sport development.

Second, the present model of Springbok success has probably reached its limits. There has been much talk about the diversity of paths to the squad. In all honesty, however, top rugby schools such as Paul Roos Gimnasium, Paarl Boys High, Hoërskool Tygerberg, Paarl Gymnasium and Grey College continue to generate a stream of elite players.

Diversity in the squad came not from the broad school system, but from sporadic talent spotting and the efforts of a range of “formerly Afrikaans schools” with a rugby culture, including Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, Boland Landbou and Hoërskools Pietersburg, Florida and Waterkloof.

Elite schools, a rugby culture and concentrated coaching resources are crucial to top-tier success, but talented players still have a narrow path to tread. Most need incredible luck to get them onto this path. While so few schools continue to generate SA’s elite players, a majority will continue to be white and a minority black.

Third, determination, grit and talent are all crucial for success, but so too are resources. Some schools, universities and clubs can provide for living and training costs, coaching and support staff such as physiotherapists and nutritionists, training facilities and modern equipment, but SA has pitifully few broad-based programmes across the country’s schools as a whole.

SA nurtured Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe, but how many similar talents have been lost among our thousands of public schools and 12-million pupils?

An ambitious school sports programme that embraces pupils, teachers and parents across the public school system could improve public and mental health and boost social cohesion. It would create the support structures young people need. And it would provide a broader feed of talented youngsters, women as well as men, into all sporting codes.

Given voluntary support, maybe it wouldn’t even cost that much.

• Butler teaches public policy at the University of Cape Town.