COMMENT
If we were standing around a braai and someone told the story of a TMO communicating via an iPhone while a camera accidentally exposed the visiting team’s bare essentials in the changing room, you would have assumed they were describing a local club match in Cradock.
Yet, this was a Test match between the Springboks and the Wallabies in Australia, a country set to host the Rugby World Cup next year.
The broadcast started with a moment of exquisite timing when host producers cut live to the Springbok changing room, catching several players coming out of the shower completely nude. Luckily for everyone, there were only a few buns on display and no boerewors.
Then came the technical disaster-class in Optus Stadium’s communications room. When the official referee-to-TMO audio system collapsed, officials were forced to abandon state-of-the-art technology in favour of a standard iPhone.
Seeing match officials huddled around a mobile phone to determine whether a try had been scored felt less like elite professional sport and more like four blokes at a pub quiz frantically trying to Shazam a song before the round ends.
It was a complete farce, and a far cry from the flawless organisation during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry in South Africa, which went off without a hitch. It was only when the series moved to Donald Trump’s backyard in Baltimore that things went somewhat south with a similar comms problem.
Which brings us to the ultimate question: how is it that South Africa, a country capable of hosting world-class Test series, boasting world-standard stadiums and passionate packed houses, has not hosted a Rugby World Cup since 1995?
South Africa was, of course, World Rugby’s official preferred candidate to host the 2023 tournament. That was until a late wave of behind-the-scenes lobbying saw the hosting rights awarded to France instead.
Rumours of brown envelopes changing hands saw Mzansi miss out on the event after a massive campaign to get it over the line.
Now, with Australia hosting in 2027 and the United States lined up for 2031, World Rugby’s obsession with high-yield corporate finances leaves South Africa, the undisputed beating heart of international rugby culture, permanently on the outside looking in.
Perth and Baltimore proved that money does not necessarily equal efficiency.
At least in South Africa, we would have handed the TMO and the referee a pair of walkie-talkies when the comms went down. And we definitely would have made sure the coast was clear before taking a peek inside the changing room. | IOL Sport