Many players are very excited to get this break to rest their bodies.
The amount of games players are playing is so extensive that they hardly get recovery time from niggling injuries. I am one of the believers that SA Rugby, and even IRB, should start to cap the maximum amount of games a player should be allowed to play at high level. Yes, I also am aware of the fact that this is a major money spinning industry, but attendances have proved that if the major big guns are not playing, supporters do not bother to go and support their team.
The Currie Cup is a prime example of this. When Currie Cup is in full swing, the major union’s Bok players are out for the Championship Trophy, meaning that the second stringers have to do the job. This does have a direct effect on supporter’s attitude to support their team. They want to see how Os scrums against Jannie, and not Joe Blocks against Blocks Joe. Names sell the tickets.
If players are not going to be managed more intensively, we will end up seeing more sad movies like the Sharks and Stormers current horror movie relating to their injury lists growing and them slipping further down the log. Maybe the rugby powers will gain insight and listen to yearlong activists like Tim Noakes on performance management and player lifespan extensions.
Yes, the flip side of the coin is also there where you could say that with the injuries, younger players now get the opportunity to make their mark, but the problem with that is that many of those players are not yet fully conditioned for these tough brutal competitions. If you decide to play the younger players, this should happen during the Vodacom Cup tournament.
What can a franchise like the Sharks and Stormers do if the injuries hit them, basically nothing? They can only pray that list does not increase any further as this also has a direct effect on their Currie Cup campaigns lying ahead later in the year. Good luck guys and I really hope all our players will recover soon, as it is not great seeing you on the side-lines and struggling.
