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Spectators lose interest in Super Rugby
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<blockquote data-quote="TRF_stormer2010" data-source="post: 806841" data-attributes="member: 39190"><p>People can only watch so much TV and attend so many matches. If you add 10 more games to the Stormers' fixtures at Newlands I'd still only attend the 2/3 I do annually. If you add 12 teams and 6 extra weekly fixtures to SR I'll still only watch the Stormers and then 2 or so extra fixtures that weekend. I'm sure the situation would be comparable for most fans. </p><p></p><p>I think for SA this year, economic and political pressure adds more to the equation than most might imagine. We have the weak Rand surrounding our own political-economic issues, Brexit not helping us and then the political issues this being an election year with the accompanying grandstanding and targeting of SA rugby specifically, racial quotas in sport in sharp focus, widespread (and dangerous) political demonstrations (rioting rather). All these things tend to put a damper on proceedings and take up 'mental space' leaving little enough room for something as trivial as sports when all is said and done. These translate to more of our talent leaving the shores, more politicaly motivated team rosters and less success on the field which further puts a damper on people's interest in sport. Its a nasty spiral. The odd and bloated format of Sr also doesn't help.</p><p></p><p>On top of those general issues every franchise has there own issues:</p><p></p><p>Stormers: Brand new coach, young squad, injuries/availibility issues (Du Preez, De Jongh, Kolbe, Senatla, De Allende, Etzebeth, Vermaak, Taute, Hendricks etc etc all out for long spells or won't even feature). Also, we were left for dead by Eddie Jones and had to scramble ith no real preseason to talk of. </p><p></p><p>Bulls: Fickle fans, Tswane is in chaos being the political hub of SA, injuries in general but especially to talisman (Pollard) and in rebuilding phase with a brand new coach and a raft of new players. Huge lack of continuity these last few years since 2011 the squad rotation has been astounding.</p><p></p><p>Cheetahs: New coach, poor so can't keep hold of players past a certain point. No continuity at all. Its Bloemfontein.</p><p></p><p>Sharks: New coach, lost a ton of experience post RWC 2015 and to injuries (Steyn, both Du Plessis bro's, Lambie, Reinach, Alberts, Coetzee etc)</p><p></p><p>Lions: No surprise they are the only team in SA worth a bet for the ***le as they are the only SA team with continuity in terms of players and coaching staff. Ellis Park remains a stadium I would rather avoid ad watch the game from the comfort of my couch. </p><p></p><p>All these teams have players that'll return for SR next season but will go from here to Japan and back for SR (might even miss the start due to Top League play offs) so no break and for many this will be the second or third year without a break. Something has to give somewhere. Just look at De Allende's form- SR + RWC + Top league + injury + SR + June tests + SR again = him being nowhere near what we've seen from him in the past. </p><p></p><p>Don't even let me get onto the 'Kings'...</p><p></p><p>Kings: No money, corrupt administration, political interference from a local to national level. No sponsor. Bankrupt. Not paying its players and staff's wages. Liquidation and court orders looming. No identity. I could extrapulate a lot on the identity issue but won't just now as I don't have the time.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TRF_stormer2010, post: 806841, member: 39190"] People can only watch so much TV and attend so many matches. If you add 10 more games to the Stormers' fixtures at Newlands I'd still only attend the 2/3 I do annually. If you add 12 teams and 6 extra weekly fixtures to SR I'll still only watch the Stormers and then 2 or so extra fixtures that weekend. I'm sure the situation would be comparable for most fans. I think for SA this year, economic and political pressure adds more to the equation than most might imagine. We have the weak Rand surrounding our own political-economic issues, Brexit not helping us and then the political issues this being an election year with the accompanying grandstanding and targeting of SA rugby specifically, racial quotas in sport in sharp focus, widespread (and dangerous) political demonstrations (rioting rather). All these things tend to put a damper on proceedings and take up 'mental space' leaving little enough room for something as trivial as sports when all is said and done. These translate to more of our talent leaving the shores, more politicaly motivated team rosters and less success on the field which further puts a damper on people's interest in sport. Its a nasty spiral. The odd and bloated format of Sr also doesn't help. On top of those general issues every franchise has there own issues: Stormers: Brand new coach, young squad, injuries/availibility issues (Du Preez, De Jongh, Kolbe, Senatla, De Allende, Etzebeth, Vermaak, Taute, Hendricks etc etc all out for long spells or won't even feature). Also, we were left for dead by Eddie Jones and had to scramble ith no real preseason to talk of. Bulls: Fickle fans, Tswane is in chaos being the political hub of SA, injuries in general but especially to talisman (Pollard) and in rebuilding phase with a brand new coach and a raft of new players. Huge lack of continuity these last few years since 2011 the squad rotation has been astounding. Cheetahs: New coach, poor so can't keep hold of players past a certain point. No continuity at all. Its Bloemfontein. Sharks: New coach, lost a ton of experience post RWC 2015 and to injuries (Steyn, both Du Plessis bro's, Lambie, Reinach, Alberts, Coetzee etc) Lions: No surprise they are the only team in SA worth a bet for the ***le as they are the only SA team with continuity in terms of players and coaching staff. Ellis Park remains a stadium I would rather avoid ad watch the game from the comfort of my couch. All these teams have players that'll return for SR next season but will go from here to Japan and back for SR (might even miss the start due to Top League play offs) so no break and for many this will be the second or third year without a break. Something has to give somewhere. Just look at De Allende's form- SR + RWC + Top league + injury + SR + June tests + SR again = him being nowhere near what we've seen from him in the past. Don't even let me get onto the 'Kings'... Kings: No money, corrupt administration, political interference from a local to national level. No sponsor. Bankrupt. Not paying its players and staff's wages. Liquidation and court orders looming. No identity. I could extrapulate a lot on the identity issue but won't just now as I don't have the time. [/QUOTE]
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