By Clicking on this article you must be thinking I am going to offer some sage advice about how the Springboks can overcome the hurdle that is Andy Farrell's Ireland. This is of course their first task to front up to after their World Cup triumph a few short weeks ago. Unfortunately that is not what this one is going to be about, I will be leaving it up to Rassie to devise an appropriate strategy for sorting out the tourists.
Instead this article is about making sure the Springboks are accessible to all South Africans and not just those in the big money cities. There were many cries from all corners of the country for the World Champions to stop by on their trophy tour. Whilst this cries are justified, it is also a practical impossibility. The boys have been away for upwards of 9 weeks, they're exhausted and deserve to get home to their families. The trophy tour however is not the only way to let this rugby mad country share in the joy.
2024 will see the Springboks play 3 tests against Ireland, plus 3 or so Rugby Championship tests. I would like to see these spread out across the country for a change. Johannesburg is dismal and honestly doesn't deserve to host the Bokke ever again. However since SARU insist on hosting tests here, this time around it should be a low key test, one against Los Pumas for example.
The Irish series, for both local and international fans, should be spared the indignity of traversing the crime ridden streets surrounding Ellis Park. Ireland boast a massive traveling fan contingent and no good example of what our country has to offer will come from Jozi. Instead lets see the series decider in Cape Town stadium. Lets have the Irish down in Durban for the series opener and then bring them up to Mbombela for the second test. These are three stadiums that go above and beyond in providing for their fans.
Then lets see it taken a step further and bolder. Lets see the Bokke face the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth, the acoustic design of that stadium will only increase the potency of Ole Ole as we scream out to silence the Haka. Lets stop hoarding the Springboks to the major city centers. People already struggle to afford DSTV to watch the boys in action, so lets get them out there for all to get involved. This team has become such an icon of unity and I really look forward to seeing everyone getting the chance to share in a piece of that.
Ensuring the games are spread out more evenly, avoiding Ellis Park all together and providing the travelling fans with the epic experiences on offer at Kings Park, Cape Town Stadium and Mbombela. I know I can't wait to see the World Champions take on Ireland.