The Mzansi Challenge — the tournament South African Rugby introduced with the seemingly straightforward objective of providing game time for Currie Cup First Division teams — has gone from gentle pony ride to bucking bronco.
It was mired in controversy from the outset and has dropped more signed-up participants than the average rodeo.
The tournament which was to feature Boland Cavaliers, Eastern Province, SWD Eagles, the Valke, the Leopards and the Border Bulldogs, also had Spain's Diables, Israel’s Tel Aviv Heat, Zimbabwe’s Goshawks, Kenya’s Simbas as well as the Welwitschias from Namibia on its initial entry list.
The Diables were the first casualties when they withdrew due to costs, SA Rugby revoked their invitation to the Heat which unleashed a considerable PR storm, before the Goshawks indicated they could not honour their fixtures in SA.
Amid the withdrawals, the California-based San Clemente Rhinos were added to the mix but their participation was soon shrouded in uncertainty as their travel documents could not be completed in time ahead of their opening clash against the Valke last weekend.
Bulls become Rhinos
The saga took a bizarre twist when Pretoria-based Naka Bulls signalled their intention to avail 18 of their players for use by the Rhinos.
When the Valke caught wind of the new development, they objected and opted not to play the match.
SA Rugby is investigating why the match was not played and they are likely to conclude their findings only next week.
“That’s a classic case of white Afrikaner rugby politics,” quipped a Bulls insider who did not want to be named.
Naka Bulls had not broken any rules, he said, before going on to explain the Rhinos were only invited on March 10 and did not have enough time to make travel arrangements.
He added that the relationship between the Rhinos and the Naka Bulls is purely based on the long-time friendship between Ryno Combrink, the Rhinos director of rugby, and his Bulls counterpart, Marinus van der Watt.
Actual Rhinos coming
While a greater representation of the actual Rhinos is expected for their second clash next weekend against SWD Eagles, the Naka Bulls will make up to five or possibly six players available for the match.
Combrink did not respond to attempts by the Sunday Times to reach him.
The Bulls insider acknowledged that the concept of the Mzansi Challenge is great “but this has been a poorly-run competition from the start”.
Despite all the setbacks, SA Rugby looks likely to persevere with the tournament but their ability to put it together has been questioned.
“We are trying to do good but all we are getting are hassles. We remain committed to growing the game,” a spokesperson said.
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