Lions in Soweto: A political masterstroke?
rugby365.com editor Jan de Koning suggests that the Golden Lions Rugby Union could score a perfect political touchdown by moving the battling franchise into Soweto.
Has the Golden Lions Rugby Union accidentally stumbled onto the perfect foil to the Southern Cape's Super 15 threat, or is this a deliberate political ploy?
I am talking about the 'revelation' that the Golden Lions Rugby Union might be considering a permanent move from Ellis Park to the impressive new National Stadium (more popularly known as Soccer City) in Soweto.
Knowing how the inner circles of South African Rugby work, I have the feeling that they may already be well down the path of setting up a 'black' franchise in the north of the country, to ensure that the claims from the Eastern Cape of being the 'hub of black rugby' does not carry additional political clout.
If they haven't, and they are genuinely just contemplating the idea, here's a word of advice: Jump at the opportunity. Don't miss the boat. (Just look at what the Bulls did with their recent semifinal and final moves to Soweto?)
Keep in mind that the Southern Kings (rumoured to become the Mighty Kings) also do not have a strong playing record and have repeatedly played the political card; claiming to have the biggest black rugby population in the country.
Like the Lions, their losing streak means they draw very small crowds and have repeatedly fallen back on the 'black player hub' as their ace. Then there is the decision to move (as the Mighty Elephants for now) to the new Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium - a possible masterstroke, which the Lions would do well to emulate by moving to Soweto.
Those two facts are what carry such clout with the publicity-minded government officials.
The easiest way for the GLRU, and indeed the South African Rugby Union, to level the playing field is to find a bigger pool of (potential) black players and supporters, as well as a bigger stadium away from the traditional rugby stage.
As it is, Ellis Park is situated in the run-down and crime infested suburb of Doornfontein. (Yes, I have first-hand experience of that neighbourhood late at night - or even in broad daylight - having had to run the gauntlet for many years.)
And you don't have to be a genius to realise it has become worse over the years. Just ask the fans who have been mugged there recently.
After the Bulls' phenomenal success with venturing into Orlando (a suburb of Soweto), for their Super 14 semifinal and final victories - not to mention the fact that the Boks will play the All Blacks at the National Stadium (read Soccer City) on August 21 - there is a far greater awareness of the game of rugby amongst a part of the population where soccer is the sporting religion of choice.
As the maxim goes: 'Strike while the iron is hot."
At a time when drastic change is needed for a team that failed to win any matches in the Super 14, why not make a fresh start in Soweto... and grab some new fans in the process, too?
The possibility of a new fan base aside, you will also be able to counter the claims from PE with the statement that you now have an even bigger black base of potential players and fans - considering that Soweto is South Africa's most populated city.