- South African rugby’s gradual return will mirror the uncertainty of life in general and what is the best way to deal with the Covid-19 crisis.
- It’s at the very least curious that there hasn’t been more opposition from players or coaches about commencing training with SA’s infection rate soaring.
- Rugby’s reliance on broadcasting fits in well with games behind closed doors, but there’s no guarantee it will bring in enough money.
One of more peculiar aspects of South African rugby’s expected return to limited training by next week is the almost complete absence of any “dissenting” voices.
Granted, most sporting codes around the world have continually reiterated its commitment to resuming competitive action, but it’s mighty interesting that there hasn’t been a prominent rugby stakeholder – be it a player, coach, agent or administrator – that has come out like Troy Deeney and expressed severe doubts over a return.
The Watford captain last month was hammered from various quarters for not joining up with his teammates during the English Premier League club’s first week of training, citing fears that he could put his five-month-old boy – who has breathing difficulties – at risk.
In contrast, virtually every South African rugby player or coach has noted how eager they are to get back into the thick of things in a responsible manner, of course.
South African rugby clearly has taken the collective view that they are no different to every other working citizen.
Yes, most of our professional players will park at their respective training venues with significantly reduced bank balances, yet they are hardly the exception.
Conversely, others will argue that rugby is a contact sport, one where players readily accept that they run a significant risk of injury, but can’t be expected to simply and unconditionally accept the risk of exposing their families to increased risk of infection – especially when South Africa is only anticipated to reach its peak infection rate by August or September.
This is not an exercise in choosing sides.
It merely illustrates that local rugby is plagued by the same type of grey areas that have infiltrated general life during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Another interesting dimension to the sport’s gradual return is the perceived financial imperative to do so.
South African rugby might still be energetically searching for ways to increase attendance figures at stadiums, but it has long moved on from considering it a steady source of income.
For evidence, one need not look further than SA Rugby’s announcement of their financial results for the past year.
“Revenues increased by 2.5% to R1.29bn (2018 – R1.26bn) with increases in broadcasting, sponsorship, grants, insurance proceeds, royalties and the Cape Town Sevens event offset by a reduction in test guarantees due to fewer test matches, Rugby World Cup performance obligations and the closure of the Springbok Experience Rugby Museum,” it said in a statement.
See anything about gate takings except the annual sevens extravaganza?
Broadcasting rights have become the lifeblood of the game and that fits in neatly with the drive towards a return to play behind closed doors.
Bums on seats aren’t required, just bums on the couches.
In keeping with the climate of uncertainty though, can rugby rely on the immensely casual assumption that South African fans are hungry for any form of play?
After all, Sky Sports in New Zealand warned investors and stakeholders a few weeks back that its projected expenditure couldn’t guarantee that sporting codes remain commercially viable.
“It remains unclear when a full schedule of live sport will resume and the impact of what any modified format on resumption might have on the appeal or value of that content to Sky and its current or potential subscribers,” the broadcaster stated in a presentation.
In other words, we can’t know at the moment whether there will be enough interest in a domestic-based Super Rugby tournament or a Currie Cup to keep SA Rugby and the franchises afloat.
And that’s not just because South Africans might not want to watch, rather whether they can still watch.
With the pandemic decimating disposable income and hitting business equally hard, will a person still be able to afford his DSTV package?
How many bars or restaurants will cancel subscriptions because they had to close?
There’s the real risk then that SuperSport will have to bid lower broadcasting offers and that merely exacerbates franchise’s already tight finances.
How long can players hold out on smaller salaries?
The Guardian also provides a valuable example of how contexts differ around the world.
English clubs could see their broadcasting deals being altered because it’s one of the few markets where stadium attendances compete with television viewership.
The publication cited an e-mail written to Bath by a season ticket holder, who boldly said: “I, and many other fans, have no interest in television games behind closed doors.”
Everyone will have their own views on solutions.
The reality, however, is that we simply don’t have answers … yet.
