Quote Originally Posted by DieGrootHammer View Post
I also want to add here an opinion that will probably spark some negativity: We are in South Africa, and in the coming weeks and months the race card WILL inevitably be played and their WILL be pressure from all sides for a more transformed Boks team. With the fact that there are many stalwart of the game that will either be bowing out, or won't probably make the 2019 RWC, the time is perfect to start grooming some players of colour for this purpose. I mean, there will always be an issue of race in the team, might as well embrace it and grow the best possible players out of it. Players like Oupa Mohoje, Scarra Ntobemi, Rudy Paige, Jamba Ulengo, Warrick Gelant, Howard Mnisi, Tera Mtembu, Kaya Majola, Giant Mtyanda, Bongi Nbonambi, Sti Sithole. All of these players have a bright future in SA rugby and all have the potential to be massive stars.
I fully agree, at the end of the day the players race, religion or sexual preference should not matter at all and I really don't care. What I, as a Springbok rugby supporter, care about is having a match squad of 23 of the best rugby players that are eligible and capable of playing for us to represent our country on the field. We do however have to approach transformation in a sane manner. I would like to see more rugby academies built in rural and disadvantaged communities. I would like to see more money being pushed into schools rugby, especially into rural and poorer and previously disadvantaged communities. I would also like to see scholarships to varsities for star players from these academies and programs to ultimately play varsity cup.

We have a huge pool of talented players who simply stop playing rugby past school level or past varsity level for a number of reasons. I would like to see this change.

Hell, I'm such a supporter of grooming players from a young age, because that is the only way you can be a quality player at senior/national level. On that note I have to add that my young one is attending Rugby Tots from next year. Check out http://rugbytots.co.za/