Reflections on Tyibilika

Last Friday, I spoke to Springbok flank Solly Tyibilika, a man who captures in his person the very essence of the struggles of South African rugby.

As a national sport, rugby can not exist merely as a microcosm of sporting ideals; it has to live and breathe in the world of reality, a world populated by people and history.

Solly has played seven Tests, he has scored four tries in those matches, and he also played in a half of rugby against Australia two years ago, which, by my reckoning, stands as the greatest 40 minute performance by the Springboks since Jake White took the reigns.

At the break of that match, the Boks were leading Australia 23-8, Tyibilika was substituted for Schalk Burger, Burger was sinbinned, and the Wallabies crept back to finally go down 33-20.

Tyibilika now plays club rugby, and was about to be released from his Lions contract for allegedly not showing up to practice. You could feel the frustration in his voice.

Now I am not saying that it was because of Solly we did so well; what I am saying is that a rugby player tastes the highest success his profession can offer, and then finds himself struggling to make Vodacom Cup sides in the ensuing years.

What is that? It is worse than a joke, it is puppeteering of the cruel and malicious kind.

Solly is a talented player, but if I was in his predicament I probably would go play club rugby too, and least have a bit of fun instead of sitting on the bench. What would you think of South African rugby if you were in his position?

In World Cup year, it is time for all involved in the institution of South African rugby to take stock, reflect upon our behaviour, and realise that the sport is about people, and if you constantly mistreat people, what exactly is it that you have left?

By Chris Waldburger

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