What is wrong with this picture?

rugby365 editor Jan de Koning takes a look behind the scenes of the decision to replace Eddie Jones, an Australian, with Brendan Venter, a South African, as the Saracens Director of Rugby. He highlights a few interesting facts about the deal.

Picture this – you take an English club, steeped in tradition and established in 1876, and turn it into a home for South Africans.

Now why would you do that? Why would you tell South Africans that Vicarage Road Stadium, in Watford, could be a home to them?

That is exactly what Springbok centre of the 1990s, Brendan Venter, has done.

The new Saracens Director of Rugby, Venter – who is currently the Stormers’ defence coach – has gone public with his view that he wants to “create a rugby home for South Africans” in England.

But there is more to this than meets the eye.

You have to look behind the scenes to understand why there is this need for a ‘South African rugby home’ in the UK.

The South African investment group SAIL, who has former Springbok captain Morne du Plessis as their Executive Director, have a 50 percent share in Premier Team Holdings – the owners of Saracens.

Yes, you have read right. SAIL, a South African investment company with a former Bok captain on the board (not to mention the numerous other influential South African businessmen) actually own Saracens.

Let us first take a step back.

SAIL has a 50 percent share in the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd (yes, the professional arm of the rugby team at Loftus Versfeld), 24.9 percent in Western Province Rugby (Pty) Ltd and 24.9 percent in Griffons Rugby (Pty) Ltd.

Those are their rugby investments in South Africa. I won’t bore you with their other sporting investments.

What is relevant here is their rugby investments.

Now move forward to Saracens – with Saracens Ltd listing its directors as Nigel Wray, Dominic Silvester, Chris Hughes, Kim Tan, Mark Sinderberry, Peter Wakeham, Steve Thomas, James Wyness Nick Leslau.

But here’s the catch.

Since SAIL have obtained shares in the UK based Premier Team Holdings, the South African company has made no secret of the fact that they would like to “expand as a business” in that area.

On its own website the investment company said the following: “In line with our business strategy, to participate within the value chain of the sport industry, SAIL will continue its involvement in these sporting brands, through the active participation in the management of these brands.”

Just read that last bit again: ‘…through the active participation in the management of these brands.’

Yes, they are (or at least want to) run the club – Saracens.

They have already replaced Eddie Jones, an Australian, with Brendan Venter, a South African, as Director of Rugby.

They have now told 15 English and other players their contracts won’t be renewed and will replace those players with mainly South Africans.

They make no secret of the fact that they want to expand their business interest into the English and European markets, since those are among the most lucrative sporting markets around.

It makes business sense.

But does it make rugby sense? I don’t think so. Just go look at the reaction of fans and you will see they may have bought themselves a club to participate in the rich European markets, but they may well have lost their fan base.

Not even the Saffers in the UK are supporting the idea, just look at their reactions on the numerous internet outlets and you will quickly pick up the resentment towards this move.

Empty stands do not make good business sense.

* Finally, just a quick glance at the weekend’s rugby.

The Bulls are still topping the Super 14 standings after another impressive performance and with the big derby against the under-performing Stormers looming this coming weekend, they look set to continue carrying the South African flag.

Not that the Sharks are that far behind. They are also unbeaten, but have unfortunately not picked up any bonus points yet. But unbeaten they are and already with a win in New Zealand. What a defensive effort to keep the Chiefs out.

What money on another ‘Bulls versus Sharks’ Final – maybe at Loftus Versfeld this year?

The Waratahs, in second place, are also unbeaten and the Western Force, after upsetting the Brumbies, are the surprise package in fourth place.

The Blues shocked the struggling Stormers and are now New Zealand’s leading team. Yes, no Kiwi team in the top four. They look a tired bunch.

* Also, a quick glance at the Six Nations. France’s upset win over Wales has opened up the race and Ireland – with Brian O’Driscoll looking more likely to lead the British & Irish Lions to South Africa – the new pace setters.

That’s it for now. Till next time.

Do you agree/disagree with Jan? Give us your view.