Now that he Kings have been 'relegated' from Super Rugby and Transformation being the key word thrown around over the past week with the new quotas for Vodacom cup we need to ask our selves whether the Kings have fulfilled ,or at the very least showed intent to fulfill, their promise of transformation. Many out there are quick to throw stones at the Kings for this very reason, but do they have a point???
At first glance a person might feel that the accusations and criticism regarding transformation is warranted and that the Kings have not done enough in this regard. However, the only way to determine whether or not they have succeeded or showed some intent is to have a look at all the structures of the union.
We must have a look at all the levels (the Super team, the curriecup/vodacom cup teams, the academy and age-group teams etc.) and compare it to the other unions. After all of this has been analysed can we form an informed (hopefully objective) opinion surrounding this matter and what the Kings have actually achieved. In this blog I will concentrate on the Super rugby stats only and just briefly skim the other two areas as people tend to only be interested in judging the Kings on their Superrugby-stats.
SECTIONS:
• At super rugby level
• At vodacom cup and curriecup level
• At Junior level – age groups and academy
SUPER RUGBY LEVEL:
After painstakingly working through the South African team sheets of the super rugby competition I have obtained the following data. (this could be under correction but is accurate according to my knowledge and may exclude last minute changes after team sheets where originally released - note that I was unable to obtain the team sheets for round 6 & 12)
This places them smack in the middle as far as transformation is concerned at the top level and Stormers are leading the pack by far. (If you add the transformation happening at the juior levels I think the Kings promise of transforming has been fulfilled).
BULLS (6)
Zane Kirchner, Lionel Mapoe, Bjorn Basson, Chilliboy Ralepelle, Sampie Mastriet, Akona Ndungane
CHEETAHS (6)
Raymons Rhule, Trevor Nyakane, Elgar Watts, Ryno Benjamin, Burton Francis, Howard Mnisi
SHARKS (8)
JP Pietersen, Lwazi Mvovo, Tendai Mtawarira, Odwa Ndungane, S’Bura Sithole, Fred Zeillinga, Monde Hadebe, Tera Mthembu
STORMERS (8)
Gio Aplon, Bryan Habanna, Siya Kolisi, Juan de Jongh, Elton Jantjies, Nizaam Carr, Cheslin Kolbe, Scarra Ntubeni
KINGS (10)
Sergeal Petersen, Marcello Sampson, Bandise Maku, Edgar Maratlule, Daniel Adongo, Wayllon Murray, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Mpho Mbiyozo, Thabo Mamojele, Siyanda Grey
Even though the Kings have not topped the stats (came in 3rd far behind the Stormers and only 1 behind the Cheetahs) as far as selections go. They have however topped the stats as far as amount of different players used. In total 38 players of colour had the opportunity to play top class rugby in 2013 of which the Southern Kings have used 10 (25%), the Stormers & Sharks 8 and then 6 each for Bulls and Cheetahs. Note that only 6 of the 10 used by the Kings originate from the Eastern Cape area, but for the purpose of this blog I chose to look at the player used by the franchises in 2013 regardless of where they come from.
If you want to use where they come from as the criteria you can remove players like Zane Kirchner, Lionel Mapoe, Bjorn Basson, Akona Ndungane, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, Howard Mnisi, Siya Kolisi & Scarra Ntubeni from the list of players used by other unions and add them to the Southern Kings list of 6 locally bred players. Keep in mind that from this list only Howard Mnisi left the region after the academy has been established.
VODACOM CUP LEVEL
After skimming through the team sheets of the Vodacom cup teams and also that of the Currie cup teams it is clear to see that EP Kings have accomplished their Transformation objectives at this level with the teams on many occasions being a 50/50 split if not dominated by the selection of players of colour. If you add Border and SWD to the equation (who are both franchise partners and also capable of producing many players of colour in their starting lineups), the Southern Kings franchise is far ahead of most other franchises in pure player depth regarding players of colour at this level. (This will probably be raided by the bigger unions in the near future due to the new quota laws for the Vodacom cup)
YOUTH RUGBY & ACADEMY LEVEL
Our youth teams (Ep, SWD & Border @ u19 & u21 level) are also stacked with players of colour and is a testament to the effort put in by EP Kings and its franchise partners to develop the talent in the region.
In 2012 the Kings established an Academy to better the opportunities & training for the young players in the region (not only in rugby but also academically). In 2012 players of colour made up 55% of the academy squad, 65% in 2013 and they aim to up this to 75% in 2014 and then keep it at ratio in the future. This stipulates the intent of the region to develop its player and to transform the face of rugby in the region that better represent the demographics of the region. The academy has already produced some players who have represented the Southern Kings this year and they are Shakes Soyizwapi, Sergeal Petersen, Rynier Bernardo, Shane Gates and Scott van Breda (note 2(40%) of these players are players of colour).
Border in itself is a major breeding ground and many players of colour who have gone on to represent some of the 'bigger' franchises was schooled in this area. Some of them even started their provincial rugby career in the Border area and with the recently approved SARU academy to be established in the Border region (one also in SWD) hopefully more players will be developed and remain in the region to further their careers. This in itself strengthens the intent shown not only by the region but also that of SARU to develop and transform rugby in the region and the country.
Having a look at the stats of the Super rugby franchise I feel the Kings did reasonably well in their first season as far as transformation is concerned (nothing exceptional - middle of the pack regarding numbers).
More can be done but saying that they have not fulfilled their promise of transformation is a bit harsh - especially if you keep in mind the promise was to transform and not to already be transformed. Look at the number of young talented players of colour coming through their ranks with the help of the academy and its targets (% players of colour to be contracted) as well as the numbers already in the Vodacom cup and junior competitions. It is a clear indication as to their goals regarding transformation and in my opinion this have shown me that they are fulfilling their promise of transformation and given time the benefits will be clear. It could take a few years to see the results, but I have faith that they will succeed in their goals and transform the face of rugby in the region if the continue in the way they already have.
The names and stats in this article is based on my own research and is accurate as far as my knowledge is concerned. If you know of any names or info I have missed or if any of my stats are incorrect - please let me know and I will in the near future post an updated and corrected blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment