CHAIRMAN’S
REP O RT
FAFFA KNOETZE WHERE ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH?
OUR RESPONSE IN 2020
In 1914, World War I broke out, suspending
for MyPlayers. In last year’s chairman’s report, I
international sports for the next four years. To make
expressed the view that “More needs to be done
matters worse, the Spanish flu pandemic broke out
in 2020 to build a stronger South African rugby
in 1918 and claimed an estimated 50 million lives
ecosystem…” and I referred to various “…initiatives to
worldwide. For a number of years, the world stood still,
protect and strengthen our rugby ecosystem”. Little
but neither the war nor the Spanish flu resulted in the
did I know that the most severe attack on our rugby
end of the world, even if it might have felt that way at
ecosystem, one that was to come from the blind
the time.
side and had the potential to break it, was only a few
The year 2020 could not have been more challenging
months away. Interestingly, the rivalry between the Springboks and All Blacks was born out of the ashes of the war and the
In March 2020, Covid-19 hit the rugby industry to
Spanish flu. After Germany surrendered in November
the core when all rugby matches and competitions
1918, South Africa and New Zealand were among the
were suspended and later cancelled. With revenue
Allied Nations who kept a small task force in Europe in
from match tickets, advertising, sponsorships and
the months leading up to the signing of the Treaty of
broadcasting rights in the balance, the rugby industry
Versailles in 1919, which formally ended World War I.
had no choice but to make very unpleasant decisions.
During that time, the military forces from South Africa
In many discussions, where one normally looks for win-
and New Zealand first clashed on the rugby field as
win solutions, the industry had to focus on limiting the
part of an international tournament hosted by King
losses. Salary reductions were likely the most painful
George V of England. The South African contingent
decision of them all. I want to thank and commend
then invited the New Zealand Forces team for a six-
the vast majority of South Africa’s professional rugby
week tour to South Africa on their way back home,
players for making this huge sacrifice without which
setting the stage for the first test tour between the
professional rugby would likely not have survived.
official national teams in 1921. Safeguarding the players’ employment status and Disruption presents new opportunities. Our response
security of income in the months following the period
to disruptions and setbacks is what defines us. Life
in which all tournaments were suspended, was always
would be much easier if we had full control over
the primary consideration. Yet, those conversations
how it unfolded, but that’s not how life works. With
and discussions on when to resume play were never
Covid-19 still very much a part of our lives at the
had without also factoring in the mental and physical
time of writing, we need to ask ourselves how we as
wellbeing of the players. Mentally, Prof Pieter Kruger
individuals and as an industry will respond to the most
and his team from North West University deserve a lot
devastating catastrophe in recent history and seize the
of credit for the reactive and proactive steps taken by
opportunities that may present itself.
MyPlayers to look after the players’ mental wellbeing during this challenging year. Medically, Dr Konrad von Hagen did incredible work to ensure that the
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