The stark contrast in transformation numbers of the DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls is even more striking than the record between the teams in the Vodacom URC, argues MARK KEOHANE.
Saturday will be the first North-South derby since last season’s quarter-finals, which the Stormers won 33-21 in Cape Town, as the SA Shield rivals do battle at Cape Town Stadium.
Jake White’s Bulls are desperate to snap a six-game losing run in the URC against the inaugural champions, and writing on his blog keo.co.za, Keohane hails The Herd’s recent successes.
But, despite the Pretoria outfit’s impressive form, Keohane criticises their transformation efforts, emphasising that the Stormers and Sharks lead the way in squad, matchday 23s, and starting XV diversity for SA franchises.
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He highlights that the Stormers, under John Dobson, have consistently demonstrated a commitment to transformation, boasting higher numbers of players of colour in their lineups compared to the Bulls.
Keohane praises Dobson’s approach, drawing parallels with Rassie Erasmus’ impact on the Springboks, proving that transformation and winning can coexist.
“The Bulls have been brilliant at home, but as the scoring numbers soar the one thing the Bulls have failed at is their numbers when it comes to transformation,” he writes.
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“In the history of the URC, Dobson’s Stormers have averaged 12 players in their match 23 and eight in their starting XV. The Bulls, by contrast, have been consistent in picking just a quartet of players of colour in their starting XV and two among the bench. Occasionally, it has been 5/2 or 4/3.
“Dobson, like Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber with the Springboks, has crushed the perception that a coach can’t transform and win. The Bulls have been left behind in this regard, which is surprising when one considers the ownership of the Bulls.
“Whatever Saturday’s result, the Stormers are winners because of their attitude towards transformation and the Bulls, even when winning matches, are losers in South African rugby’s greatest sustainability challenge, which is transformation.”
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