Loss to All Blacks by no means our greatest embarrassment
I remember that moment so vividly: Lowly Japan camped on the Springbok line going through phase after phase. The clock was running out. "It couldn't happen," I kept telling myself.
Then the thunderbolt: Karne Hesketh slid over in the corner to complete the Brave Blossoms greatest victory in their rugby history. The final score 34-32. The mighty Springboks have sunk to a new low.
Earlier that year the Boks slumped to a historic home loss to Argentina in Durban. But the rot set in much earlier when the Springboks went on their end of year tour to Europe, and were humbled by Ireland and Wales.
Now coach Allister Coetzee has rewritten the history books once again. Since his annus horribilus of 2016, the Boks have been hammered 41-13 by the All Blacks, 57-15 in Durban and finally the 57-0 demolition job Saturday in Albany.
Some felt the result brought the greatest shame ever to our rugby nation. I beg to differ.
The fact that our administrators have been unable to transform the game properly is the biggest indictment.
I remember a time when some of the greatest black players in this country had to sit on the sidelines due to Apartheid. Salie Fredericks, Temba Ludwaba, Cassiem Jabaar, Peter Mkata and many others were some of the best players produced, yet never had the honour of representing this country.
The country paid a heavy price for its bigotry: South Africa went through a sporting isolation which saw its traditional rivals refusing to tour the country. From 1981 to 1992, the only teams to tour South Africa were England and a rebel New Zealand team, who were paid handsomely by the then Apartheid government. Apartheid had by then stripped South Africa of its sporting dignity. There could be no greater embarrassment.
By the time unification started in 1992, SA Rugby's administrators had a wonderful opportunity: To unite all South Africans behind a game scarred by the injustices of the past. And the 1995 Rugby World Cup was to be the springboard to rally the people behind the Green and Gold. Sadly rugby administrators never took advantage with the game riddled by scandals of racism, poor results and failure to deliver on the dream of a fully transformed team.
In fact, since the advent of professionalism in 1996, the Springboks has only had 4 truly great years in terms of results: 1998 (when Nick Mallett's side won the tri Nations), 2004 (when Jake White also lifted the trophy), 2007 when John Smit won the World Cup in France) and 2009 (when Pieter de Villiers beat the British and Irish Lions and won the Tri Nations title). All the while rugby administrators were also failing in developing enough black talent to take the game to the next level.
Whilst Apartheid was the greatest shame ever inflicted on our country, the fact that the Springboks are still waiting for their first black test captain is an even greater shame.
The fact that there are still black players who fall through the cracks when they should be reaching higher honours, is shameful.
The fact that we still need to have a conversation about the merits of growing the game and have a transformed side is shameful.
The fact that black sportsmen have proven their worth but will have to justify their rightful place in society is shameful.
Let's be frank, a 57-0 loss to your greatest rival is an embarrassment. But not heeding the call to grow the game is an even greater one.
As we look for answers, our conquerors of 2015, Japan, will be hosting the 2019 World Cup, with 127 million people behind them.
Where to now for the beleaguered Boks, embarrassed on the pitch and embarrassed by their inability to transform?