Festival of rugby
WELL, that was the Festival of Rugby – the Boks chalking a win against Argentina at Kings Park, in a performance that raised many a question; the Sharks turning it on the night before at Moses Mabhida in driving rain, the goalposts dancing in the wind. This was a fine display of ignoring the elements to play an adventurous running, passing game.
For the Boks, in totally different weather conditions just 24 hours later, it was a woeful first half with attacking line-outs that didn't come off and some dreadful passing in the threequarters. Sometimes it seemed they were trying too hard.
Matters improved in the second half but some hard yards need to be put in if we're to have any hope of challenging the All Blacks at Loftus in about a month.
That Friday night game where the Sharks made history by playing at Moses Mabhida for the first time ever?
They were playing a top French club, Bordeaux Begles (No, not the Border Beagles from Kingwilliamstown), and there was some highly entertaining stuff, great running and handling in the threequarters, in spite of the appalling conditions – freezing cold, high winds through the stadium gap and rain, rain, rain.
It augurs well for the Currie Cup (that starts for us next weekend with the Bulls at Kings Park). The Sharks virtually camped in the Beagles' half and were comfortably ahead 19-3 as the final whistle approached when – out of nowhere – the French magically produced two tries and converted them, narrowing the Sharks' win to just two points.
Still, a good augury. The Sharks are going to be a fun side to watch.
High security
A FEATURE of this Sharks-Beagles match was the stadium security. A posse of security guards were strung about the field, about 50m apart, each of them gazing fixedly into their section of the seating, on the lookout for any sign of trouble.
They did not waver. Their eyes were fixed on the section for which they were responsible. It continued throughout the match. The surveillance was 100%.
The only thing though – given the appalling weather, the stadium was almost empty. The security men were staring at empty seats, standing out there in the open, getting soaked, in miserable conditions. They were doing what they're paid for.
Such a pity. They missed a good game.
The super-strict security measures are presumably a result of the recent pitch invasion, violence and arson at a football match at Moses Mabhida. Would-be rugby streakers should be warned.
Music, music, music …
AND what of Moses Mabidha as a rugby venue? Will more rugby be played there? Is there really a threat of interruption of play by flying saucers that mistake the stadium for their mother ship?
The view from the high stands is OK, though opera glasses would be a plus. The field of play is distant. For spectators in the lower tiers of seating - separated from play by an athletics track – it seems dismal indeed.
But the sound system is something that needs attention. If you think the music at Kings Park is bad, at Moses Mabhida it's appalling, unbearable, many decibels louder.
Speakers are directly overhead in the roof structure. The sound is trapped under the roofing. Even voice-over announcements are enough to split the eardrums. When the "music" comes on, as it does at the least provocation, it's sheer physical torture.
This will have to be looked at if rugby continues to use Moses Mabhida, not least on medical grounds. Who would take a child to be subjected to such stress?
And one has to wonder at the mindlessness of it? Is anyone attracted to rugby by this "music"?
There was an embarrassing turn-out of about 26 000 spectators at King's Park – this for a Test? Clearly, rugby in South Africa has a problem in this respect, a problem not shared by all rugby-playing countries.
But do the administrators really think they're going to solve it by blasting people with pop music?
Tailpiece
PADDY and Mick are walking home from the pub, along the railway tracks.
Paddy: Dere's an awful number of steps on dis staircase."
Mick: "And de handrail's so low."
Last word
Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.
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