World Cup fever

As 2010, a quartet of numerals by now burned into our collective consciousness, finally dawns it is time for those in charge of the Springboks to add a single digit and take a longer view.

2010 (and I hope I won’t be sued by Fifa for daring to write down the figures representing a year they consider to be their exclusive property!), will sweep us all along – even though the ball is the wrong shape! – in differing states of curiosity rather than fervent national interest and, I’m willing to bet, will be over before we properly realise its started.

Football’s World Cup doubtless will be a massive success, South Africa’s unique colourfulness and vibrancy will be displayed to the world, some will make money and many a lot less than they are anticipating and then we disciples of the oval ball will settle back to watch the Boks defend the Tri-Nations and start pontificating about the next big event on the horizon – the 2011 Rugby World Cup when the Boks will take the Webb Ellis Cup to New Zealand and try to bring it back again.

And what a time that will be. The Springboks will travel into the lair of their keenest rivals with the chance of becoming the first team to defend rugby’s World Cup and also the first to hold it three times.

However that event, if successfully pulled off, will not be until October 23, 2011 so plenty of breakdowns have to be crossed before then!

There’s a lot of rugby to be played in 2010 (sorry Fifa there I did it again!) and a lot more in 2011 before the Kiwis will see whether home ground advantage can help them to win the elusive golden cup for a second time since the first staging of the tournament in their two islands in 1987.

So, as one year ends and another begins, here’s hoping Peter de Villiers, Dick Muir and Gary Gold have a master plan to frustrate the All Blacks.

And not their own grand map mind but one developed in consultation with those who have some knowledge of how to go about planning the campaign – Morné du Plessis, Jake White, Tim Noakes, Eddie Jones, Henning Gericke and perhaps even the odd Pressman or two to ensure that we get it absolutely right.

Let’s rest those who need to be rested, blood those who may have to step up and identify the way, and with whom, we want to play.

If we need a tighthead prop (or two!) let’s find him in good time. If Morné Steyn is our best kicker but not our best flyhalf let’s try him at fullback in good time and see whether there’s a better option at 10 (given Ruan Pienaar’s seeming disinterest).

Let’s make sure there are similar back-ups for key men such as Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Fourie du Preez, Juan Smith and Pierre Spies – given how the latter two shone in their absence on the most recent tour.

If a decision has to be made about John Smit’s future as a player make sure it’s done with dignity and that he is kept involved with what, after all, is his squad. If Pierre Spies is the kind of No8 that suits our game plan don’t back him up with Ryan Kankowski but with a similarly built man such as Duane Vermeulen or Willem Alberts.

You get my drift. Let’s ensure that the fever of one World Cup sweeps us along to one in a sport we’re really good at.

For now, and I have to be honest here, I really have no interest in who’s injured and how many litres of sweat have been spilled at Super 14 training camps. This is not a time for rugby. Here’s hoping the boys are working on a nice tan and that they’ll return with reserves of enthusiasm rather than painful memories of horrid boot camps.

Will write again in January. Wishing you a fabulous New Year; filled with plenty of tries, a lot less kicking and consistent refereeing! Cheers, Dan.