Vusi Voetsek: SA Rugby, why the secrecy around Siya?

What a week it has been in rugby!

All sorts of issues have popped up for discussion around the camp fires and Magneto lanterns during all the load-shedding this long weekend.

Heck, one can’t really keep up, and the South African teams aren’t even involved in the big European Cup matches this weekend.

But, from Siya’s injury to Pote fighting in the US to SA Rugby extending the contracts of several coaching team members there’s been plenty to keep rugby fans excited.

Kolisi injury

Let’s start with Siya’s injury. Heck, that’s bad luck. It was his last home game for the Sharks and he didn’t even make it 15 minutes in. But, that’s rugby and sport.

Remember the Springbok captain also nursed an injury in the build-up to the tournament in Japan four years ago. And he made it! So, there’ hope.

By the time you read this there may or may not be news about Kolisi’s injury … but that is not what has angered me this week. It is the very poor handling of the matter by the Sharks, SA Rugby and Kolisi himself.

The man got injured last Saturday evening, and by Friday afternoon the only official words uttered about the matter were the following, from the Sharks: “Please be advised that I do not have any further info on Siya’s injury. He had a scan and is seeing a specialist.”

That was on Monday. Surely, something more could have been said; it is after all the Bok captain we’re talking about … and the World Cup is just over four months away! And rugby fans want to know what’s happening.

Anyway.

Coaches

One thing SA Rugby has handled well is the news around Jacques Nienaber leaving for Ireland after the World Cup.

By announcing Mzwandile Stick, Deon Davids, Daan Human and Andy Edwards will stay on for another four years until the 2027 tournament, SA Rugby have basically said there is no panic or concern about the Bok coaching team and that everything is under control.

And that’s good news for the Boks. Also, as some of my colleagues pointed out this week, perhaps the best move is to get Rassie Erasmus back as head coach from next year. Then there really would be no upheaval at all.

But, I also do think getting a new voice into that Bok set-up could be crucial, someone who thinks a little differently to the people who are already in the coaching team, someone who could bring in some fresh ideas and thoughts, and hopefully, make the Boks even stronger.

Pote Human

Finally, I think many people were shocked to see former Cheetahs and Bulls player and coach Pote Human getting involved in some fisticuffs during a game in the USA recently.

His slapping an opposition coach was out of order and he’s duly been banned, fined and sentenced to do community work. It’s not something one would expect of the gentle giant, and he’s no doubt upset with himself over the incident, but everyone has a short fuse sometimes, and we don’t know what was said or done to push him over the edge.

Well, it’s all sorted, so keep it clean and tidy this weekend, and let’s hope for some lekker Currie Cup action.