The Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour surpassed expectations, but its success should not disguise lessons around ticket pricing and scheduling, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane believes the All Blacks’ month-long visit proved the appetite for traditional tours remains enormous, with South Africa consumed by the rivalry and New Zealand equally invested in events on and off the field.
“This was no contrived marketing sell,” he writes. “You cannot manufacture 105 years of history, 114 Tests, including Baltimore, and the emotional pull of the two most successful rugby nations in the sport.”
Keohane says the contrasting rugby identities added to the spectacle. The All Blacks produced breathtaking backline play, while the Springboks responded with the scrum, lineout and maul that have underpinned their recent dominance of Test rugby.
Off the field, the warmth between the teams and supporters was equally significant, with captains Siya Kolisi and Ardie Savea exemplifying how fierce sporting rivalry can coexist with genuine mutual respect.
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But Keohane believes organisers must learn from mistakes, particularly ticket prices that put matches beyond the reach of too many ordinary supporters.
“A national rugby occasion cannot be celebrated as inclusive when the price excludes those who give the Springbok identity its voice, colour, soul and meaning,” he writes.
The scheduling of the four tour matches also came under scrutiny, with South Africa’s URC teams still in pre-season and the Sharks and Lions both hosting the All Blacks on Tuesday nights.
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Those flaws, however, did not diminish Keohane’s belief that the concept succeeded and should have a permanent place on the international calendar, with the Boks set to tour New Zealand in 2030 before the All Blacks return in 2034.
“The tour was a triumph. Next time, it must be a triumph for everyone,” he concludes.
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
