South African rugby is in a good space, and SARU president Mark Alexander has several reasons to be upbeat about the future of the sport in the country, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane reflects on a recent meeting with Alexander, noting a stark contrast from an interview between them in 2018. Back then, SARU faced financial distress, sponsorship withdrawals, and poor on-field performance.
Having stepped up after Oregan Hoskins’ resignation mid-term, Alexander implemented significant changes, leading to the Springboks’ success, increased sponsorship, and improved representation in various categories.
Keohane highlights the Blitzboks, national U20s and U18s as consistently performing well, and argues that transformation is no longer just a public relations effort but a success story set to strengthen further.
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He adds that an imminent equity deal and the participation of five local teams in European competitions demonstrate South Africa’s positive trajectory.
“This week I sat with Alexander to reflect on an interview I did with him in 2018. On both occasions we had met in Cape Town, but this time the discussion was about what had been achieved in South African rugby, as opposed to what needed to be achieved,” Keohane writes.
“Alexander described that period as ‘dark days’, off the field and on it, with the Springboks ranked seventh in the world rankings, with defeats including a first-ever reversal against Italy.
“Alexander’s mood, defiant back in 2018, is buoyant in 2023, especially when he envisages the global rugby landscape in 2024 and beyond. South African rugby is in a good space.”
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