VOICE 2019: The definitive survey of professional rugby players in South Africa

2019

VO I C E The definitive survey of professional rugby players in South Africa

The d ef i ni t i ve s urvey o f p ro fess i o na l rug by p l ayers i n S o u t h Af r i ca

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INDEX I .

I I .

III.

I n tro d u c ti o n – Eu g e n e H e n n i n g (C EO of M y P l aye r s) p . 3 M e th o d o l o g y & S u r vey p.4 S u m m a r y p . 8

P l aye r s o n …

1 .

2 .

3 .

4 .

5 .

6 .

7.

8 .

9 .

1 0 .

1 1 .

To u r n a m e n t s p .1 1 Tr ave l a n d a cco m m o d a ti o n p .1 9 T h e L aws o f R u g by p. 22 C o a c h i n g p . 24 C o n c u s s i o n a n d p hys i c a l h e a l th p . 27 M e n t a l h e a l th p.30 C a re e r p l a n n i n g a n d p e r s o n a l d eve l o p m e n t p.35 P l ay i n g ove r s e a s p.43 D o p i n g a n d s u b s t a n ce d e p e n d e n ce p . 47 Ag e n t s p . 5 0 E m p l oye r s a n d th e i r s tr a te g y p.53

TH E P L AY E R S’ O RGAN I SATIO N MyPlayers is the players’ organisation for all the professional rugby players in South Africa . It is 10 0% owned by the players who elect their own representatives to ser ve on the organisational structure.

The players’ organisation was established by the players to ensure collective representation w i t h i n t h e r u g by i n d u s t r y, a n d i t s m a i n d r i ve i s to promote and manage the players’ collective commercial interest and the potential thereof.

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Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

INTRODUCTION T h e o n g o i n g s t a te of r u g by i n S o u th Af r i c a a n d g l o b a l l y h a s a d i re c t i m p a c t o n p l aye r s a n d th e i r c a p a b i l it y to b u i l d m e a n i n g f u l c a re e r s a s p rof e s s i o n a l s p o r t s m e n a n d -wo m e n . Fo r a d m i n i s tr a to r s to m a n a g e th e i n d u s tr y a n d b e a b l e to m a ke key d e c i s i o n s to t a ke th e g a m e f o r wa rd , it i s n e ce s s a r y to co n s i d e r th e i n p u t f ro m th e s e va r i o u s s t a ke h o l d e r s .

W i th th i s i n m i n d , th e p l aye r s re q u e s te d th e p l aye r s ’ o r g a n i s a ti o n to p e r f o r m a s u r vey a m o n g s t th e p rof e s s i o n a l p l aye r s i n S o u th Af r i c a o n to p i c s s u c h a s to u r n a m e n t s , f a c i l i ti e s , co a c h e s , m e n t a l h e a l th , f u t u re co m p e titi o n s e tc . , i n o rd e r f o r th e i r vo i ce a n d v i ews to b e d o c u m e n te d . T h e s u r vey i s i n te n d e d to h ave a c l e a r a n d d e f i n iti ve p l aye r vo i ce f ro m i n f l u e n ti a l a n d ex p e r i e n ce d p l aye r s , b a c ke d u p by q u a l it a ti ve re s e a rc h f ro m a l a r g e r g ro u p of p l aye r s .

T h e m a i n p u r p o s e of th e s u r vey i s to p rov i d e th e i n d u s tr y w i th p l aye r i n s i g h t o n key to p i c s w ith i n th e i n d u s tr y. I t i s e nv i s a g e d th a t th e p l aye r s w i l l f ro m ti m e to ti m e u p d a te a n d a d j u s t th e s u r vey to b e i n l i n e w ith th e re l eva n t tre n d s a n d key to p i c s o f th e i n d u s tr y a t th e ti m e .

We tr u s t th e s u r vey w i l l m a ke a co n s tr u c ti ve co n tr i b u ti o n to th e i n d u s tr y a n d wo u l d l i ke to th a n k a l l th e p a r ti c i p a ti n g p l aye r s w h o s h a re d th e i r v i ews .

Eugene Henning C E O : M y P l aye r s

The d ef i ni t i ve s urvey o f p ro fess i o na l rug by p l ayers i n S o u t h Af r i ca

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METHODOLOGY & SURVEY

M y P l aye r s c o n d u c te d th i s re s e a rc h a m o n g p rof e s s i o n a l r u g by p l aye r s i n S o u th Af r i c a . I n - p e r s o n i n te r v i ews a n d o n l i n e q u e s ti o n n a i re s we re u s e d to g a th e r i n f o r m a ti o n . A l l d a t a we re re c o rd e d o r c a p t u re d a n o ny m o u s l y to p ro te c t p l aye r p r i va c y a n d to e n co u r a g e tr u th f u l re s p o n s e s . O n l y s e n i o r f r a n c h i s e p l aye r s , S p r i n g b o k s a n d B l i t zb o k s we re i n te r v i ewe d , w h i l e a n o n l i n e s u r vey wa s s e n t to a l l p ro f e s s i o n a l r u g by p l aye r s i n S o u th Af r i c a . A c u s to m i s e d s u r vey wa s c re a te d f o r th e S p r i n g b o k Wo m e n ’s s eve n s a n d f i f te e n s p l aye r s .

I N - PERSO N I NTERVI E WS I n - p e r s o n i n te r v i ews we re co n d u c te d i n g ro u p s o r w i th i n d i v i d u a l s a t S o u th Af r i c a ’s r u g by f r a n c h i s e s , a m o n g o th e r s . T h e s e p l aye r s (ave r a g i n g 1 5 5 S o u th Af r i c a n f i r s t- c l a s s a p p e a r a n c e s p e r p l aye r) we re a s ke d to p rov i d e th e i r p e r s o n a l ex p e r i e n ce s a n d o p i n i o n s o n 3 0 to p i c s , r a n g i n g f ro m co m f o r t of tr ave l to p l ay i n g ove r s e a s , to a n x i e ti e s a n d c o n ce r n s i n h e re n t to th e l o c a l p rof e s s i o n a l g a m e , e tc .

At th e c o n c l u s i o n o f th i s p h a s e of th e re s e a rc h , re s p o n s e s we re co n s o l i d a te d u n d e r 1 1 co re h e a d i n g s , a s p re s e n te d i n th i s re p o r t . I f, f o r exa m p l e , t wo re s p o n s e s u n d e r d i f f e re n t to p i c s a p p e a re d to b e re l a te d – s u c h as financial security and signing a n ove r s e a s d e a l , o r co n c u s s i o n a n d m e n t a l h e a l th – re s p o n s e s we re a m a l g a m a te d u n d e r a s i n g l e h e a d i n g o r re l a te d h e a d i n g s .

I n te r v i ews h a d b e e n c o n c l u d e d b e f o re a n i n d u s tr y-w i d e , o n l i n e q u e s ti o n n a i re wa s co m p i l e d a n d d i s tr i b u te d to a l l S o u th Af r i c a n p rof e s s i o n a l r u g by p l aye r s w ith M y P l aye r s m e m b e r s h i p . W h i l e th e i n te r v i ews i n f o r m e d th e m a j o r it y o f q u e s ti o n s s e t i n th e m e n ’s o n l i n e s u r vey, m o re to p i c s – s u c h a s d o p i n g , re q u i r i n g a b s o l u te co n f i d e n ti a l it y to e l i c it tr u th f u l re s p o n s e s – we re i n c l u d e d , a n d u n d e r th e s e h e a d i n g s , o n l y q u a n tit a ti ve f e e d b a c k i s p rov i d e d .

T h e “ O ve r v i ew ” s e c ti o n u n d e r m o s t h e a d i n g s wa s co m p i l e d f ro m q u a l it a ti ve f e e d b a c k co l l e c te d d u r i n g p l aye r i n te r v i ews . Fu r th e r, i n d u s tr y- re l a te d a n d o th e r re l eva n t re p o r t s , a r ti c l e s a n d a c a d e m i c s t u d i e s we re u s e d to i n fo r m th e i n te r v i ews , s o m e s u r vey q u e s ti o n s , a n d th e co m p i l i n g of th e f i n a l re p o r t . I n d u s tr y l e a d e r s – f ro m a d m i n i s tr a to r s to ex p e r t s i n s p e c i f i c f i e l d s – we re a l s o co n s u l te d to a d d d e pth a n d re l eva n ce to va r i o u s a s p e c t s of th e re s e a rc h a n d co m p i l a ti o n p ro ce s s e s .

P l aye r s i nte r v i e we d r e p r e s e nte d

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162

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833

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274

S EN I O R PRO FES S I O NAL C LU B R U G BY APPE AR AN C ES AB ROAD

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PRO14 S E A SO N S (O N - GO I N G)

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O N LI N E Q U ESTIO N NAI RES Two o n l i n e s u r veys we re c re a te d a n d h o s te d (o n e f o r m e n ’s a n d o n e f o r wo m e n ’s r u g by p l aye r s) o n S u r vey M o n key, a n d a l i n k to th e re l eva n t q u e s ti o n n a i re wa s s e n t to a l l m e m b e r s o f M y P l aye r s v i a e m a i l a n d /o r W h a t s A p p . R e s p o n d e n t s r a n g e d i n a g e f ro m 2 0 to 3 5 ye a r s o l d by 3 1 D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 9 . T h e s u r veys we re s e t u p to c a p t u re i n f o r m a ti o n a n o ny m o u s l y, a n d n o i n d i v i d u a l s c a n re tro s p e c ti ve l y b e tr a c ke d d ow n (n o p e r s o n a l

i n f o r m a ti o n s u c h a s n a m e s , f r a n c h i s e s , u n i o n s , d a te of b i r th , e m a i l a d d re s s e s o r I P a d d re s s e s we re re co rd e d ). T h i s s u r vey s e t ti n g wa s s e l e c te d to p ro te c t p l aye r p r i va c y a n d to e n co u r a g e tr u th f u l re s p o n s e s w ith o u t f e a r of re p e rc u s s i o n . T h e s u r veys co u l d o n l y b e co m p l e te d o n ce p e r d ev i ce .

T h e “ I n n u m b e r s ” s e c ti o n u n d e r m o s t h e a d i n g s i n th i s re p o r t wa s c re a te d s o l e l y f ro m d a t a c a pt u re d v i a th e a n o ny m o u s o n l i n e s u r veys .

TH E Q U ESTIO N NAI RES 64

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1 2 yea rs men

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1 0 yea rs

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Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

H I G H E ST LE VE L O F R U G BY P L AY E D (M E N)

6 . 5%

5 . 4%

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o f s a m p l e h ave p l aye d C u r r i e C u p P re m i e r Division or higher

of re s p o n d e n t s h ave p l aye d s e n i o r p rof e s s i o n a l c l u b r u g by ove r s e a s

R E MAI N I N G LE VE L S O F R U G BY R E P R E S E NTE D I N SAM P LE (H I G H E ST LE VE L P L AY E D) : Currie Cup First Division, SuperSport Challenge, Junior Springboks, U21 P rov i n c i a l , U 1 9 P rov i n c i a l , U 2 0 P rov i n c i a l , C r ave n /Ac a d e my We e k .

T h e re s e a rc h wa s co n d u c te d by M a rco B o th a , a n i n d e p e n d e n t re s e a rc h e r w ith m o re th a n a d e c a d e ’s ex p e r i e n ce i n th e r u g by i n d u s tr y a s a re p o r te r, a u th o r, a n d co m m e n t a to r. H e h a s a l s o co n d u c te d s i m i l a r i n d u s tr y- re l a te d re s e a rc h fo r o th e r s t a ke h o l d e r s i n r u g by.

The d ef i ni t i ve s urvey o f p ro fess i o na l rug by p l ayers i n S o u t h Af r i ca

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SUMMARY

S e n i o r p ro f e s s i o n a l S o u th Af r i c a n r u g by p l aye r s we re a s ke d to p rov i d e th e i r p e r s p e c ti ve s o n va r i o u s i n d u s tr y- re l a te d to p i c s . I n th e f i r s t s e c ti o n o n To u r n a m e n t s , p l aye r s we re ove r w h e l m i n g l y p o s i ti ve a b o u t th e p o te n ti a l of th e C u r r i e C u p P re m i e r D i v i s i o n , b u t th ey we re co n ce r n e d a b o u t th e q u a l i t y o f r u g by i n th e C u r r i e C u p ’s c u r re n t f o r m a t , a s we l l a s th e co m p e ti ti o n ’s f u t u re p ro s p e c t s .

S o u th Af r i c a n p l aye r s “ l ove ” p l ay i n g i n th e S u p e r R u g by co m p e titi o n , a l th o u g h th ey wa r n e d th a t f re q u e n t c h a n g e s to th e f o r m a t d o f r u s tr a te p l aye r s a n d s p e c t a to r s . T h e P ro1 4 a d d e d a n a p p re c i a te d c h a n g e to th e S o u th Af r i c a n c a l e n d a r, b u t p l aye r s s h owe d a n e e d f o r g re a te r c l a r it y a b o u t p o te n ti a l p a r ti c i p a ti o n i n g re a te r Eu ro p e a n co m p e titi o n s a s a re s u l t o f p e r f o r m i n g we l l i n P ro1 4 .

P l aye r s we re a l s o a s ke d a b o u t Wo r l d R u g by ’s p r o p o s e d N a t i o n s C h a m p i o n s h i p . Fu r t h e r m o r e , t h e S o u t h A f r i c a n p l aye r s m a d e a recommendation about an a m e n d e d Te s t r u g by c yc l e s p a n n i n g ove r f o u r ye a r s .

I n th e s e c ti o n o n Trave l a n d a cco m m o d a t i o n , p l aye r s r a te d th e i r f avo u r i te tr ave l i n g d e s ti n a ti o n s a n d s t a d i a . P ro1 4 p l aye r s a l l u d e d to c h a l l e n g i n g s to p - ove r f l i g h t s b e t we e n S o u th Af r i c a a n d Lo n d o n , b u t th e g re a te r m a j o r it y of a l l p l aye r s s u r veye d a re ve r y s a ti s f i e d w i th th e i r to u r i n g s c h e d u l e s a n d co m f o r t o f a cco m m o d a ti o n .

P l aye r s a re l a r g e l y co n te n t w ith th e way i n w h i c h th e L a w s o f R u g by a re d r a f te d a n d a m e n d e d , a n d th ey awa rd e d a n ave r a g e 3 . 5 1 s t a r r a ti n g f o r th e l eve l o f re f e re e i n g a t th e h i g h e s t l eve l o f r u g by a t w h i c h th ey h ave p l aye d .

M e n ’s r u g by p l aye r s i n c re a s e d th e i r ave r a g e r a ti n g f o r th e q u a l i t y of C o a c h i n g f ro m s c h o o l b oy l eve l th ro u g h to s e n i o r p rof e s s i o n a l co a c h i n g . H oweve r, wo m e n ’s r u g by p l aye r s a re d e e p l y co n ce r n e d a b o u t th e l eve l of co a c h i n g a t s c h o o l l eve l , w h i l e th ey a re ve r y s a ti s f i e d w ith th e i r co a c h e s a t s e n i o r n a ti o n a l l eve l (ave r a g e s t a r r a ti n g of 4 . 2 2 o u t of 5 ).

I n th e s e c ti o n o n C o n c u s s i o n a n d p hys i c a l h e a l t h , th i s re p o r t f o u n d th a t yo u n g e r p l aye r s a re l e s s co n ce r n e d a b o u t m a t te r s p e r t a i n i n g to th e i r m e n t a l a n d p hys i c a l h e a l th , a n d o n ave r a g e , p l aye r s b e co m e m o re co n ce r n e d a b o u t th e i r p hys i c a l a n d m e n t a l we l l b e i n g a s a re s u l t of co n c u s s i o n a n d b o d y i m p a c t a s th ey g row o l d e r.

P l aye r s a re ex tre m e l y s a ti s f i e d w i th th e l eve l of c a re a n d p reve n ti o n p e r t a i n i n g to co n c u s s i o n tre a tm e n t i n S o u th Af r i c a , b u t o l d e r p l aye r s vo i ce d co n ce r n s a b o u t co n c u s s i o n ’s ye t u n k n ow n i m p a c t o n th e i r m e n t a l h e a l th f u r th e r d ow n th e l i n e .

Conversations about M enta l h ea l t h provoke d de e ply emotional responses from many of th e playe rs inte r viewe d , and it shed light on a dark aspect of professional rugby that se emingly doesn’t receive the at tention athletes require on an ongoing basis . N early a third of playe rs sur veyed indic ated suf fering from sleep disturbance, and 4 in 10 playe rs acknowle dge d suf fe ring from one or more symptoms of common mental disorders.

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S o u th Af r i c a n p l aye r s s h owe d a s i n c e re n e e d f o r g u i d a n ce a n d m e n to r s h i p w i th re g a rd s to Career planning and personal d eve l o p m e n t , b o th w h i l s t p l ay i n g a n d a f te r re ti re m e n t . M a ny s u g g e s te d a d i re c t l i n k b e t we e n i n a d e q u a te l i f e c o u n s e l l i n g a n d m e n t a l d i s o rd e r s a f te r re ti re m e n t .

I n th i s s e c ti o n , a co n ce r n i n g 4 i n 1 0 p l aye r s i n d i c a te d th a t th ey wo u l d n o t e n c o u r a g e s c h o o l s p l aye r s to p u r s u e r u g by a s a f u l l ti m e c a re e r.

In the online sur veys, 9 in 10 professional players indicated that they plan to, or are indeed going to sign an Overseas deal within the next two seasons.

Their financial wellbeing was, as could be expected, the primary motivation for a majority of players, but some other primary considerations that of ten dif fer from those aired in the public opinion, were also voiced. Players also of fered four key considerations that could see South Africa re t a i n it s t a l e n t l o c a l l y.

I n th e s e c ti o n o n D o p i n g a n d s u b s t a n c e d e p e n d e n c e, a d d i c ti o n s a re ex p l o re d , a n d p l aye r s w h o a d m i t te d to d o p i n g (a n d th o s e w h o d i d n o t wa n t to a n s we r q u e s ti o n s i n th i s s e c ti o n) a re p rof i l e d a n o ny m o u s l y f ro m i n f o r m a ti o n p rov i d e d i n th e o n l i n e s u r veys . T h i s wa s d o n e to i l l u m i n a te a ny p o s s i b l e tre n d s .

In the section exploring players’ relationships with their Agents, it became clear that players’ personal expectations and perspectives influence how they feel about their agents.

Some players agreed that there a re “a f ew re a l l y g o o d a g e n t s ”, whilst a majority felt this aspect of the industry offers room for improvement.

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I n th e s e c ti o n o n E m p l oye r s a n d t h e i r s t ra t e g y, a l m o s t a l l p l aye r s i n te r v i ewe d we re o b l i v i o u s to th e co m m e rc i a l re a l iti e s s h a p i n g th e e b b a n d f l ow of th e i r i n d u s tr y.

H oweve r, th ey d i d m a ke a s tro n g a p p e a l f o r g re a te r tr a n s p a re n c y ; i n s o m e c a s e s w ith th e d e s i re to h e l p s h a p e th e i r o r g a n i s a ti o n s f o r th e b e t te r, a n d i n m o s t c a s e s j u s t to re d u ce th e u n ce r t a i n t y “ b o a rd ro o m g y m n a s ti c s ” of te n c re a te o n th e p l ay i n g f i e l d .

A n o th e r s tro n g th e m e to co m e o u t o f th e i n te r v i ews i s th e p e rce pti o n th a t S o u th Af r i c a n r u g by e n titi e s d o n o t f a c to r p l aye r s o r p l aye r we l l b e i n g i n to th e i r d e c i s i o n s .

F i n a l l y, w h i l e t h e b e n e f i t s o f p l ay i n g p r o f e s s i o n a l r u g by i n South Africa will not be discussed again in this repor t, our research showed that from a financial and e d u c a t i o n a l p e r s p e c t i ve , S o u t h A f r i c a n r u g by p l aye r s w o r k i n a n i n d u s t r y t h a t p r ov i d e s t h e m w i t h s o m e a b ove - ave r a g e b e n e f i t s .

A l m o s t a q u a r te r o f s e n i o r p r o f e s s i o n a l p l aye r s c o n t r a c te d to t h e “ B i g S i x ” f r a n c h i s e s h ave te r t i a r y q u a l i f i c a t i o n s , w h i l e 4 0 % a r e c u r r e n t l y s t u d y i n g to w a r d s d e g r e e s , d i p l o m a s o r c e r t i f i c a te s .

A c c e s s to te r t i a r y e d u c a t i o n a s a benefit becomes apparent when t h e s t a t i s t i c s a b ove a r e c o m p a r e d to t h e n a t i o n a l d e m o g r a p h i c i n which only 3% of South African c i t i ze n s h ave a c c e s s to te r t i a r y e d u c a t i o n ( p r i v a te u n i ve r s i t i e s , te c h n i c a l v o c a t i o n a l e d u c a t i o n training, and various other p r i v a t e i n s t i t u t i o n s) . M o s t playe rs are acutely aware of th e i n d u s t r y ’s b e n e f i t s . A n u m b e r of se nior playe rs indic ate d that junior playe rs are in n e e d of mentorship and guidance to help them consolidate the u p s i d e f o r a l i f e a f t e r r u g b y.

This would include training in f i n a n c i a l l i t e r a c y a n d p o s t- s c h o o l education and training.

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

TOURNAMENTS OVERVI E W H e re , p laye r s we re a ske d h ow th ey p e rce ive d cu rre nt , p ro p ose d a n d hyp oth etic a l to u rn a m e nt s a n d glo b a l to u rn a m e nt s tr u c tu re s . Th e se f in d in g s a re p re se nte d a s s t atis tic s at th e e n d of th is se c tio n . D u rin g in - p e r so n inte r views , se n io r r u g by p laye r s sp o ke in m o re d e pth a b o ut d if fe re nt to u rn a m e nt s a n d a p ote ntia l glo b a l r u g by se a so n .

TH E C U R R I E C U P W h i l e p l aye r s b e m o a n e d th e “ l a c k of q u a l it y i n th e c u r re n t s ys te m ”, th ey a re s ti l l ove r w h e l m i n g l y p o s i ti ve a n d eve n s e n ti m e n t a l a b o u t th e p o te n ti a l o f th e Currie Cup. One Currie Cupw i n n i n g c a pt a i n s a i d th e f re q u e n t “c h o p p i n g a n d c h a n g i n g of th e to u r n a m e n t ’s f o r m a t c a u s e s f a n s to l o s e tr a c k a n d i n te re s t i n th e o l d e s t p rov i n c i a l to u r n a m e n t i n th e wo r l d ”. O n e s e n i o r S p r i n g b o k s a i d w i n n i n g th e tro p hy re ce n tl y, i s s ti l l a p e r s o n a l c a re e r h i g h l i g h t ; a s e n ti m e n t h e s a i d m a ny e l i te p l aye r s h o l d d e a r. B u t , h e a d d e d , i t i s c u r re n tl y d i l u te d .

H oweve r, w ith th e exce p ti o n o f o n e S p r i n g b o k w h o s u p p o r te d th e d eve l o p m e n t a l f u n c ti o n o f th e C u r r i e C u p , a l l p l aye r s i n te r v i ewe d

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we re i n s u p p o r t of a rev i ve d C u r r i e C u p a s S o u th Af r i c a ’s p re m i e r d o m e s ti c co m p e titi o n , w ith o n e ove r a rc h i n g q u a l i f i c a ti o n : th e C u r r i e C u p s h o u l d p rov i d e a d i re c t p a thway f o r th e to p te a m s to q u a l i f y fo r p a r ti c i p a ti o n i n g re a te r c l u b co m p e titi o n s i n Eu ro p e , s u c h a s th e c u r re n t H e i n e ke n C h a m p i o n s C u p (a n d C h a l l e n g e C u p f o r n o n - s e m i -f i n a l i s t s).

Acco rd i n g to o n e S p r i n g b o k , w h o h a s s i g n e d a n ove r s e a s d e a l s i n c e b e i n g i n te r v i ewe d , s u c h a n a r r a n g e m e n t wo u l d s e r ve t wo f u n c ti o n s : e n h a n c i n g th e s t a t u re o f th e C u r r i e C u p d o m e s ti c a l l y a n d g l o b a l l y, a n d i n c re a s i n g reve n u e s f ro m Eu ro p e a n b ro a d c a s ti n g d e a l s th a t co u l d s e e to p p l aye r s s t ay i n g i n S o u th Af r i c a we l l i n to th e i r s e n i o r c a re e r s .

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

SU PER R U G BY AN D TH E R U G BY C HAM PI O N S H I P I n S u p e r R u g by ’s c u r re n t f o r m a t , tr ave l , l o n g to u r s a n d s p a c i n g of by-we e k s a re co m m o n co n ce r n s . B u t , p l aye r s m o s tl y “ l ove ” p l ay i n g i n th e to u r n a m e n t , p r i m a r i l y d u e to th e d i f f e re n t c h a l l e n g e s N ew Ze a l a n d , Au s tr a l i a n a n d A r g e n ti n i a n s i d e s p o s e to S o u th Af r i c a n te a m s . O n e S p r i n g b o k s a i d , “ R u g by i n th e n o r th e r n h e m i s p h e re i s m o re l i ke Te s t r u g by. Fo r m e , a s a w i n g e r, I p re f e r p l ay i n g a g a i n s t th e N ew Ze a l a n d e r s .”

Fo r th i s re a s o n , s o m e p l aye r s we re n ’ t ke e n o n f o r f e iti n g p a r ti c i p a ti o n i n S u p e r R u g by i n f avo u r of m ov i n g S o u th Af r i c a n f r a n c h i s e r u g by to Eu ro p e , eve n i f it m e a n t tr ave l l i n g a c ro s s f ewe r ti m e zo n e s . A B o k f o r wa rd a d d e d , “ I n Au s tr a l i a , it ’s a p hys i c a l b a t tl e . I t ’s a b o u t b u l l y i n g e a c h o th e r i n to s u b m i s s i o n , w h e re a s N ew Ze a l a n d te a m s tr y to o u t s m a r t a n d o u t th i n k yo u . A r g e n ti n a b r i n g s a d i f f e re n t p hys i c a l e l e m e n t to S u p e r R u g by. I t ’s to u g h . N o s i n g l e g a m e i s a g i ve n – th a t ’s th e b e a u t y of S u p e r R u g by.”

P l aye r s d o , h oweve r, f e e l th a t th e c h a n g e s / ex p a n s i o n of th e S u p e r R u g by co m p e ti ti o n ove r th e p a s t f ew ye a r s d i d n ’ t d o it a ny j u s ti ce . S o u th Af r i c a n p l aye r s we re a l m o s t u n a n i m o u s l y p o s iti ve a b o u t th e m o s t re ce n t re s tr u c t u r i n g of th e to u r n a m e n t to a 1 4 te a m ro u n d - ro b i n f o r m a t . I t wa s f e l t th a t S A NZ A A R s h o u l d n eve r h ave “ t a m p e re d ” w ith th e 1 2- o r 1 4 -te a m fo r m a t . W h e n S u p e r R u g by m ove d to 1 5 te a m s , p l aye r s f e l t i t re a c h e d it s c l i m a x of i n te re s t . “ T h e l e s s t a m p e r i n g S A NZ A A R d o e s , th e b e t te r. I t ’s s ti l l a g re a t to u r n a m e n t .”

T h e re we re v i r t u a l l y n o d i f f e re n ce s i n th e co n ce r n s a n d p r a i s e p l aye r s h a d f o r T h e R u g by C h a m p i o n s h i p ( T R C ) a n d S u p e r R u g by. Tr ave l a n d th e re p e titi ve n a t u re o f T R C we re t wo of th e n e g a ti ve s , a s we l l a s a w i n n e r of te n b e i n g c row n e d b e f o re th e f i n a l ro u n d of m a tc h e s . B u t , h i s to r i c a l l y, th a t i s m o s tl y a p ro d u c t of th e A l l B l a c k s b e i n g co n s i s te n tl y s tro n g e r th a n th e o th e r th re e te a m s a n d n o t a to u r n a m e n t f o r m a t i s s u e .

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PRO14 Fo r a va r i e t y of re a s o n s , p l aye r s f ro m th e C h e e t a h s a n d K i n g s e n j oy p l ay i n g i n th e P ro1 4 co m p e titi o n , eve n i f it d o e s m e a n b e i n g a b ro a d m o re of te n th a n wa s th e c a s e i n S u p e r R u g by. A d i f f e re n t “ r u g by m i l i e u ” a n d “d i f f e re n t c h a l l e n g e s a n d p l ay i n g s t y l e s to w h a t we ’ ve b e co m e a cc u s to m e d to ” we re s o m e of th e p o s iti ve s . O n e p l aye r, w ith a n i n te re s t i n p u r s u i n g a c a re e r i n r u g by a d m i n i s tr a ti o n , a l s o f o u n d th e ex p o s u re to Eu ro p e a n c l u b s reve a l i n g : “ T h e r u g by p ro g r a m m e s a t s o m e of th e s e Eu ro p e a n c l u b s a re j u s t a b ove a n d b eyo n d a ny th i n g I h ave b e e n ex p o s e d to . Sys te m i c a l l y, th ey o u tp e r f o r m S o u th Af r i c a n u n i o n s a n d f r a n c h i s e s w ith a m u c h s m a l l e r p l aye r b a s e th a n o u r s . I t o p e n e d my eye s to h ow we l l a u n i o n c a n f u n c ti o n . C o n s i d e r th i s – ti c ke t p r i ce s a re a s h i g h a s 5 5 e u ro s , b u t th e i r s t a d i u m s a re f u l l .”

S o m e S u p e r R u g by ve te r a n s a n d S p r i n g b o k s , w h o h ave n eve r p l aye d i n th e P ro1 4 , s a i d th ey ’d l ove to p a r ti c i p a te i n th i s co m p e titi o n . Fro m a S o u th Af r i c a n p e r s p e c ti ve , th ey f e e l th e to u r n a m e n t of f e r s “ s o m e th i n g d i f f e re n t a n d n ew ”, a n d th a t th ey wo u l d g e t to tr ave l to p a r t s of th e wo r l d th ey u s u a l l y d o n ’ t g e t to s e e , e s p e c i a l l y i f th ey h ave o n l y p l aye d S u p e r R u g by. P l ay i n g i n f a m i l i a r ti m e zo n e s a l s o a p p e a l s to th e m .

H oweve r, C h e e t a h s a n d K i n g s p l aye r s a re co n ce r n e d a b o u t a l a c k of c l a r it y re g a rd i n g th e i r a n d o th e r d o m e s ti c te a m ’s p a r ti c i p a ti o n i n Eu ro p e . W ith n ew b ro a d c a s ti n g d e a l s a n d p ro b a b l y n ew o r rev i s e d co m p e titi o n s /co m p e titi o n f o r m a t s t a k i n g s h a p e i n Eu ro p e , th e C h e e t a h s a n d K i n g s p l aye r s f e e l th ey c a n n o t s i g n p l aye r s o n m e d i u m - to l o n g -te r m co n tr a c t s i f th e i r “ u n i q u e s e l l i n g p o i n t ” of p a r ti c i p a ti n g i n Eu ro p e i s n o t g u a r a n te e d o r s a f e g u a rd e d a g a i n s t o th e r S o u th Af r i c a n f r a n c h i s e s e n te r i n g th e s ce n e . “ T h e re h a s to b e f u t u re s t a b i l it y a n d c l a r it y fo r u s , l i ke k n ow i n g we h ave f o u r te a m s i n S u p e r R u g by a n d t wo te a m s i n P ro1 4 , w ith a p a thway to Eu ro p e a s o u r m o ti va ti o n s f o r p e r f o r m i n g we l l .”

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Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

A G LO BAL GAM E Fo r th i s d i s c u s s i o n , S o u th Af r i c a n p l aye r s we re a s ke d a b o u t , a n d /o r p ro p o s e d t wo d i s ti n c t re co n f i g u r a ti o n s of th e g l o b a l r u g by s e a s o n s (w ith N o r th e r n a n d s o u th e r n h e m i s p h e re s e a s o n s c u r re n tl y “e n d i n g ” i n J u n e a n d N ove m b e r re s p e c ti ve l y). T h e p u r p o s e o f th i s s e c ti o n wa s , f i r s tl y, to m e a s u re S o u th Af r i c a n p l aye r s ’ a p p e ti te f o r p a r ti c i p a ti n g i n s y n c h ro n i s e d d o m e s ti c , i n te r n a ti o n a l - p rov i n c i a l (f r a n c h i s e / c l u b s), a n d i n te r n a ti o n a l c a l e n d a r s f o r a l l m a j o r r u g by- p l ay i n g n a ti o n s , a n d s e c o n d l y, to p ro p o s e a co m p l e te l y n ew g l o b a l c a l e n d a r s p a n n i n g th e f o u r ye a r s b e t we e n Wo r l d C u p s .

A SY N C H RO N IZED G LO BAL S E A SO N P l aye r s we re p re s e n te d w ith Wo r l d R u g by ’s (n ow s u s p e n d e d ) p l a n f o r a N a ti o n s C h a m p i o n s h i p a m o n g i n te r n a ti o n a l s i d e s , a n d a l s o a s ke d f o r th e i r o p i n i o n a b o u t s y n c h ro n i s i n g a l l g l o b a l d o m e s ti c , f r a n c h i s e - a n d - c l u b , a n d i n te r n a ti o n a l c o m p e titi o n s .

Fo r exa m p l e , th e C u r r i e C u p , M i tre 1 0 C u p , P re m i e r s h i p , a n d To p 1 4 r u n co n c u r re n tl y, a s d o S u p e r R u g by a n d th e Eu ro p e a n Champions and Challenge Cups, a s we l l a s th e S i x N a ti o n s a n d T h e R u g by C h a m p i o n s h i p . T h e s u g g e s ti o n wa s to h ave g l o b a l d o m e s ti c we e ke n d s , g l o b a l

f r a n c h i s e / Eu ro p e a n we e ke n d s , a n d g l o b a l i n te r n a ti o n a l we e ke n d s , f e a t u r i n g th e s a m e l eve l of r u g by a c ro s s th e g l o b e o n a g i ve n we e ke n d , s t a r ti n g i n N ew Ze a l a n d a n d Au s tr a l i a , a n d e n d i n g a ro u n d m i d n i g h t (S o u th Af r i c a n ti m e) i n Fr a n ce . A m e r i c a n ti m e zo n e s w i l l l i ke l y a l s o h ave to b e co n s i d e re d o n ce M a j o r Le a g u e R u g by b e co m e s a q u a l it y p ro d u c t .

N ations C hampionship S o u th Af r i c a n p l aye r s i n te r v i ewe d we re p re d o m i n a n tl y p o s iti ve a b o u t th e co n ce pt , e a g e r to p a r ti c i p a te i n a m e a n i n g f u l co m p e titi o n w h e re a l l ti e r-1 n a ti o n s p l ay e a c h o th e r i n a s i n g l e ye a r.

S o m e of th e co n ce r n s vo i ce d g l o b a l l y we re th e i m p a c t o n p l aye r we l f a re a n d th e a b i l it y to p e r fo r m a t a n o pti m a l l eve l o n ce th e p l ayof f s co m m e n ce i n N ove m b e r. B u t S o u th Af r i c a n p l aye r s , e s p e c i a l l y th o s e w h o h ave re p re s e n te d th e B a a b a a s a f te r a n e n d - of-ye a r to u r, d i d n o t s h a re th e s e co n ce r n s .

S o m e S p r i n g b o k s s a i d p l aye r s o n l y r e a l l y s e t t l e i n a f te r t h e t h i r d w e e k o n to u r, a n d o t h e r s a d d e d t h a t t h ey h ave p l aye d f i ve w e e ke n d s i n a r o w ( B o k s a n d B a a b a a s) a n d d i d n ’ t f i n d i t to o e x h a u s t i ve . To b e c r o w n e d a s N a t i o n s C h a m p i o n i n t h e f i n a l Te s t o f t h e ye a r w o u l d a l s o a d d f u r t h e r m o t i v a t i o n to p e r f o r m , w i t h s o m e t h i n g to p l ay f o r u p u n t i l t h e l a s t m a tc h o f t h e s e a s o n .

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Playe rs we re not conce rn e d about the N ations Championship play- of f match es being hosted in Europe: “ If you want to win this thing , you have to beat any team on any give n day in any c ase .”

R e g a rd i n g Eu ro p e a n te a m s h av i n g to g o o n a “ To u r of D e a th ” to s o u th e r n h e m i s p h e re n a ti o n s i n th e m i d d l e of th e ye a r, S o u th Af r i c a n p l aye r s s a i d th a t , w h i l e to u g h , S u p e r R u g by h a s p rove n th a t w i th e n o u g h co n s i d e r a ti o n i t i s “d o a b l e ”. T h ey a l l u d e d to th e J a g u a re s f ro m A r g e n ti n a w h o m a n a g e d to re a c h th e S u p e r R u g by f i n a l i n 2 0 1 9 d e s p i te h av i n g th e to u g h e s t to u r i n g s c h e d u l e o f a l l .

One Springbok said the Nations Championship might even help retain th e se r vices of S outh Af ric an playe rs d o m e s t i c a l l y. “ T h e n a t i o n a l c o a c h w i l l b e a b l e to selec t more playe rs for th e Springboks – dif ferent opponents with dif ferent styles and strengths will encourage the coach to selec t more playe rs and dif fe re nt combinations , giving more playe rs th e oppor tunit y to play Te s t r u g b y f o r S o u t h A f r i c a . ” H oweve r, c o n c e r n s we re vo i ce d a b o u t th e i m p a c t o f s u c h a N a ti o n s C h a m p i o n s h i p o n th e i n te g r it y of th e Wo r l d C u p a n d B r i ti s h a n d I r i s h L i o n s to u r s , a n d i t wa s s u g g e s te d by s o m e p l aye r s th a t a N a ti o n s C h a m p i o n s h i p o n l y b e h e l d b i - a n n u a l l y.

Synchronise d glob al se ason B e s i d e s th e p o s s i b i l i t y o f c re a ti n g l u c r a ti ve b ro a d c a s ti n g d e a l s a n d m a r ke ti n g o p p o r t u n iti e s a c ro s s th e g l o b e , S p r i n g b o k p l aye r s a l s o f e l t s y n c h ro n i s a ti o n w i l l s e e N o r th e r n a n d s o u th e r n h e m i s p h e re n a ti o n s p l ay i n g e a c h o th e r o n a n a c t u a l s tre n g th ve r s u s- s tre n g th b a s i s w i th o u t h av i n g to p l ay e a c h o th e r a t th e b e g i n n i n g a n d e n d o f th e i r re s p e c ti ve s e a s o n s .

B u t , S o u th Af r i c a n p l aye r s a re n o t ke e n o n p l ay i n g i n D e c e m b e r s i n ce th ey re g a rd th i s p e r i o d a s f a m i l y ti m e .

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Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

A FO U R-Y E AR I NTER NATI O NAL C YC LE S o u th Af r i c a ’s p rof e s s i o n a l r u g by p l aye r s j o i n tl y p ro p o s e a n ew fo u r-ye a r c yc l e f o r i n te r n a ti o n a l r u g by m a tc h e s a n d to u r n a m e n t s , w h i c h i n c l u d e s th e R u g by Wo r l d C u p , a N a ti o n s C h a m p i o n s h i p , B r iti s h & I r i s h L i o n s to u r s , a n d th e ex i s ti n g h e m i s p h e re co m p e titi o n s , T h e R u g by C h a m p i o n s h i p a n d T h e S i x N a ti o n s .

S o m e of th e p r i m a r y co m m e rc i a l co n ce r n s w i th Wo r l d R u g by ’s p ro p o s a l f o r a g l o b a l n a ti o n s co m p e titi o n we re th e d i l u ti o n of th e Wo r l d C u p , L i o n s to u r s , a n d th e c a n n i b a l i s a ti o n of ex i s ti n g p ro p e r ti e s by i n te g r a ti n g th e m i n to a l a r g e r g l o b a l l e a g u e a n d co m m e rc i a l d e a l s . U l ti m a te l y, th e p ro p o s a l wa s re j e c te d , b u t th e re i s s ti l l m e r it i n th e ove r a rc h i n g d r i v i n g f o rce of c re a ti n g “ m e a n i n g f u l ” Te s t m a tc h e s ( “eve r y g a m e m a t te r s ” ) a s o p p o s e d to a n u m b e r of f r i e n d l i e s o r “d e a d - r u b b e r s ” c u r re n tl y f i l l i n g th e i n te r n a ti o n a l c a l e n d a r.

The following proposal addresses the concern about dead-rubbers and the cannibalisation of existing IP ( TRC , Six Nations , Lions , e t c .) . S o u t h A f r i c a n p l a y e r s f e e l g r e a t v a l u e can be created for the global game, its respec tive commercial stakeholders and fans b y a d o p t i n g a f o u r- y e a r Te s t c y c l e w i t h e a c h year themed dif ferently to address specific industry purposes.

T h e e s s e n ce of th i s f o u r-ye a r- c yc l e i s i l l u s tr a te d o n th e n ex t p a g e .

Y E AR 1

Y E AR 2

Y E AR 3

Y E AR 4

RWC

T I E R -1 M ATC H E S & HEMISPHERE TO U R N A M E N T S

N AT I O N S CHAMPIONSHIP

L I O N S TO U R & T I E R -2 D E V E LO P M E N T Y E A R

• RWC year remains unchanged • Top 6 from each hemisphere (12 teams) qualify for Nations Champs (NC) in Year 3 • Clear distinction between NC, 6N, and TRC (allow independent management of properties)

• Full Six Nations • Full TRC • June / July in-bound tours as in past (Tier-1 NH teams tour Tier-1 SH nations for 3 Tests) • November inbounds as in the past (rotation)

I t p reve n t s th e c a n n i b a l i s a ti o n of ex i s ti n g p ro p e r ti e s . T h e i n te g r it y of T h e R u g by C h a m p i o n s h i p a n d S i x N a ti o n s re m a i n s u n c h a n g e d , a n d th e re w i l l b e n o re a s o n to r u s h L i o n s p l aye r s b a c k to th e i r h o m e u n i o n s , s i n ce th e re w i l l b e n o N a ti o n s C h a m p i o n s h i p i n L i o n s To u r ye a r s . » I t c re a te s a l i n k b e t we e n th e N a ti o n s C h a m p i o n s h i p a n d th e R u g by Wo r l d C u p , e n h a n c i n g th e re l eva n ce of I t of f e r s f a n s s o m e th i n g a l l RWC m a tc h e s a s te a m s d i f f e re n t e a c h ye a r w i th o u t c a n e a r n a s p o t i n th e N a ti o n s d i l u ti n g ex i s ti n g p ro p e r ti e s , C h a m p i o n s h i p , a n d v i c e ve r s a . w h i l s t g i v i n g th e f a n a n T h e re w i l l a l s o b e n o n e e d u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f w h a t th e f o r p ro m o ti o n a n d re l e g a ti o n i n d u s tr y i s tr y i n g to a c h i eve . m a tc h e s i n th e N C , s i n ce th e RWC w i l l s e r ve th a t f u n c ti o n .

I n th e a b ove p ro p o s a l , e a c h ye a r i s th e m e d a n d s tr u c t u re d d i f f e re n tl y, a n d i t s e e s th e R u g by Wo r l d C u p a n d N a ti o n s C h a m p i o n s h i p h a p p e n i n g eve r y f o u r ye a r s , b u t t wo ye a r s a p a r t w i th a d i re c t l i n k b e t we e n th e t wo co m p e ti ti o n s (d e c i d i n g N C p a r ti c i p a ti o n a n d RWC p o o l a l l o c a ti o n s , re s p e c ti ve l y). A s w i th Wo r l d R u g by ’s p ro p o s a l , “eve r y g a m e m a t te r s ”, a n d th e p ro p o s a l s e r ve s th re e m a i n i d e a s : »

• 12 teams (6 per Hemisphere) based on standing in previous RWC • June/July window: NH sides to play 3 tests in 4-week window • Total tests per team (11). Top 2 play in final at neutral venue (12 tests for finalists) • No Six Nations or TRC in NC year • Final standings in NC used to determine pools for RWC (Year 1 in next cycle)

• B&I Lions tour to SA, NZ or Australia • No NC this year • 6N and TRC played • June/July window: Tier-1 and Tier-2 teams play each other on tour (development mandate & RWC ‘warm-ups’) • November in-bound tours as in the past

»

IN A N UT S H E LL : • YEAR ONE: Rugby World Cup with a link to the next NC. • YEAR TWO: Focus on hemisphere competitions (6N and TRC) and NH/SH Tier-1 match-up in June/July.

• YEAR THREE: Focus on Nations Championship with a link to the next RWC. • YEAR FOUR: Focus on Lions Tour and Tier-2 development with Tier-1 and Tier-2 matchups (serves as RWC preparatory games).

The d ef i ni t i ve s urvey o f p ro fess i o na l rug by p l ayers i n S o u t h Af r i ca

17

IN N U M B ERS

100% 84% of p l aye r s wh o h ave p l aye d S u p e r R u g by a n d/o r Pr o14 e n joy p l ayi n g i n t h e se t o u r n a m e n t s

of players agree that changing Super Rugby’s format to a 14-team round-robin competition will improve the competition

77%

of playe r s b elieve th e Cu rrie Cu p Pre mie r D ivisio n s h o uld b e resto re d to it s “ fo rm e r glor y ” a s So u th Afric a’s p re mie r d o m estic co m p etitio n

81%

of p l aye r s s u p p o r t Wo r l d R u g by ’ s p r o p o s a l fo r a N a t i o n s Ch a m p i o n s h i p , wh i l e o n ly 17 % d i d n ot s u p p o r t t h e co n ce pt , a n d 2% i n d i c a t e d t h at t h ey “ d o n ’ t c a r e ”

82% 90%

of players are either very positive or positive about South Africa’s participation in the Guinness Pro14 competition

18

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

of p l aye r s s u p p o r t S o uth Af ri c a n te a m s ’ p a r ti ci p atio n i n Eu ro p e a n cl u b co m p etitio n s , wh il e 7 % i n d i c ate d a n e utra l s t a n ce . O n ly 3 % d i d n ot s u p p o r t th e i d e a

TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION OVERVI E W S o uth Af ric a n S u p e r R u g by te a m s h ave ch a ll e n g in g trave lin g sch e d ul e s , a n d a lth o u g h th ey trave l in f a m ilia r tim e zo n e s , th e t wo Pro14 te a m s a re ove r se a s re g ula rly. Th e g e n e ra l l eve ls of co mfo r t a n d e n joym e nt of tra n sp o r t , trave lin g a n d a cco m m o d atio n we re exp lo re d in th is se c tio n .

SU PER R U G BY AN D TESTS N o S u p e r R u g by o r S p r i n g b o k p l aye r s c o m p l a i n e d a b o u t th e i r to u r i n g s c h e d u l e s ( b e t te r s p a c i n g of by-we e k s wa s m e n ti o n e d e a r l i e r).

P l aye r s f e e l th ey a re we l l l o o ke d a f te r a t th e h o te l s a n d re s o r t s th ey re s i d e a t o n to u r, b u t d e s ti n a ti o n s d o m a t te r. Syd n ey wa s a f i r m f avo u r ite d e s ti n a ti o n to tr ave l to f o r m o s t p l aye r s i n te r v i ewe d . O n e S p r i n g b o k p ro p s a i d , “ Syd n ey i s f a n t a s ti c ! I m e a n , th e b e a c h i s r i g h t th e re . I f yo u ’re tr ave l i n g to Lo n d o n , eve r y th i n g i s s o f a r a p a r t .

A n d w h i l e C h r i s tc h u rc h m i g h t b e a g re a t r u g by d e s ti n a ti o n , th e re i s n o t s o m u c h to d o f ro m a p l aye r p e r s p e c ti ve i f yo u d o n ’ t p l ay g o l f.” M u r r ay f i e l d “a t n i g h t ” wa s a f avo u r ite p l ay i n g d e s ti n a ti o n f o r s o m e i n te r n a ti o n a l p l aye r s i n te r v i ewe d , w h i l e E l l i s P a r k a p p e a r s to b e a l o c a l f avo u r i te to p l ay a t .

PRO14 C h e e t a h s a n d K i n g s p l aye r s e n j oy tr ave l l i n g to Eu ro p e , d e s c r i b i n g th e i r d e s ti n a ti o n s a s “ f re a k i n ’ awe s o m e ” a n d “ s u b l i m e ”.

Experiencing smaller but filled s t a d i a re m i n d e d s o m e p l aye r s of th e p a c ke d p av i l i o n s a t S o u th Af r i c a n s c h o o l b oy d e r b i e s . “ T h e re a re s t a d i u m s w ith a c a p a c i t y o f 1 5 0 0 0 , b u t it f e e l s a s i f yo u ’re p l ay i n g i n f ro n t o f 6 0 0 0 0 p e o p l e .

T h e Eu ro p e a n s t a d i u m s a re a lways p a c ke d . I l ove i t ,” s a i d o n e C h e e t a h s p l aye r.

B y tr ave l l i n g i n f a m i l i a r ti m e zo n e s , th e s e p l aye r s d o n ’ t m i n d b e i n g o u t of th e c o u n tr y a l o t , b u t th ey a re d i s s a ti s f i e d w ith s to p ove r f l i g h t s to

20

Eu ro p e v i a D u b a i . Fo r i n s t a n ce , th e C h e e t a h s o n ce h a d th e f o l l ow i n g f l i g h t s c h e d u l e d u r i n g th e 2 0 1 8 / ’ 1 9 P ro1 4 s e a s o n : B l o e m f o n te i n to Johannesburg; Johannesburg to D u b a i ; D u b a i t o D u b l i n ; a n d f ro m D u blin to C a rdif f. Playe r s understand the financial reality of having to fly economy class , “but the stopover in D ubai is an i s s u e . We c a n f l y e c o n o m y f o r as long as is needed, but then we need to fly to Heathrow on a direct flight. The horrible flight via D ubai doesn’t ser ve us from a per formance perspec tive.”

TH E WO R LD S E VEN S S ER I ES N o t a s i n g l e B l it zb o k b e m o a n e d th e i r tr ave l i n g s c h e d u l e s o r a cco m m o d a ti o n o n th e Wo r l d S e r i e s , a n d th ey s a i d it i s s p e c i a l tro t ti n g th e g l o b e “ w ith yo u r b u d d i e s ”. “ Eve n i f yo u ’re i n a te r r i b l e p l a ce , it ’s a l l th e s a m e . Yo u g e t to ex p e r i e n ce th e wo r l d w ith yo u r f r i e n d s .”

S p r i n g b o k S eve n s p l aye r s f e e l th e Wo r l d S e r i e s h a s re a c h e d it s p i n n a c l e i n th e s e n s e th a t n o th i n g c a n b e d o n e to i m p rove it . H oweve r, o n e s e n i o r p l aye r d i d m e n ti o n th a t r e c e n t t o u r s h a v e b e c o m e slightly “ tougher ” now that a new generation of players are being introduced to the side. “ I t ’s d i f f e r e n t l eve l s o f m a t u r i t y, so you don’t do ever ything together anymore. That being said, if you remain competitive up until th e last to urna m e nt, it ’s still a great experience to travel with the Blitzboks.”

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

IN N U M B ERS Most popular South African destinations to travel to

Most popular global destinations to travel to

123 123

Cape town*

durban

george & johannesburg

SYNDEY

CARDIFF

LONDON & EDINBURGH

* N e a r l y a th i rd of a l l re s p o n d e n t s i n d i c a te d th a t C a p e Tow n wa s th e i r f avo u r ite d e s ti n a ti o n to tr ave l to . D u r b a n c a m e i n a t a s tro n g , ye t d i s t a n t s e co n d p l a ce . Syd n ey r a n ke d th i rd ove r a l l .

Favourite South African stadiums to play at

Favourite stadium to play at overseas

123 123 Ellis Park

NEWLANDS & KINGS PARK

LOFTUS VERSFELD

19%

Level of comfort of primary mode of transport on tour

o f p l aye r s i n d i c a te d t h a t t h e i r t r ave l i n g t i m e n e e d s to b e r e d u c e d o r b e t te r managed.

Ave r a g e

TWICKENHAM

KINGSPAN, BELFAST

*A l l c o m p e t i t i o n s

60%

Level of SATISFACTION WITH on-tour ACCOMMODATION

o f p l aye r s r a te d their satisfaction w i t h o n - to u r accommodation as f i ve

rating

Ave ra g e

3 . 39

7.06%

MURRAYFIELD

ra t i n g

4 . 52

8%

15.29%

32%

28.24% 30.95%

60%

18.82% The d ef i ni t i ve s urvey o f p ro fess i o na l rug by p l ayers i n S o u t h Af r i ca

21

THE LAWS OF RUGBY Playe r s ’ re latio n sh ip with th e L aws of R u g by wa s o n ly a s se s se d via th e o n lin e q u e s tio n n a ire a n d n ot th ro u g h p e r so n a l inte r views .

IN N U M B ERS

25%

94%

Pl aye r s wh o b e lieve t h ey will fa il a ref e re es ’ exa m wi t h o u t p rio r s t u dy.

of players believe the Laws of Rugby are amended often enough

B ut , i n a se p a rate q u e s ti o n 4 6% of p l aye r s i n d i c ate d th at th ey a re s o m ewh at co nf i d e nt i n th e i r k n owl e d g e of th e L aws of R u g by, a n d 5 1 % a re ve r y co nf i d e nt .

60:40 t h e s plit b et we e n playe r s wh o b elieve law ch a n g es d o im p rove t h e g a m e of rug by a n d t h ose wh o b e lieve law ch a ng es d o n ot im p rove t h e g a m e

70%

90%

of players believe the Laws of Rugby are innovative

of players believe player safety receives enough attention when the Laws of Rugby are drafted or amended

Ratings for level of refereeing at the highest level* at which players have played Ave r a g e

rating

3 . 51

1.20% 8.43% 40.96%

* 8 6% o f p l aye r s b e l i eve t h a t t h e s e r e f e r e e s a r e r e a s o n a b l y (5 3 %) t o ve r y k n ow l e d g e a b l e ( 3 3 %) a b o u t t h e L a w s o f R u g by, w h i l e 1 3 % f e e l t h a t r e f e r e e s d o n o t i n s t i l co n f i d e n c e i n p l aye r s o r co a c h e s . 1 % t h i n k r e f e r e e s we r e “ c l u e l e s s ”.

37.35% 12.05%

The d ef i ni t i ve s urvey o f p ro fess i o na l rug by p l ayers i n S o u t h Af r i ca

23

COACHING OVERVI E W Fo r th is se c tio n , p laye r s we re a ske d to rate th e l eve l of r u g by co a ch in g at va rio u s l eve ls of th e g a m e . W h il e f u r th e r co ntex t o r co n sid e ratio n s a re voice d n ex t to so m e of th e s t atis tic s , it is inte re s tin g to n ote th at th e g e n e ra l l eve l of s atis f a c tio n in cre a se s slig htly f ro m sch o o ls th ro u g h to se n io r p rofe s sio n a l co a ch in g . A p e r sp e c tive o n co a ch in g of wo m e n’s r u g by is a lso in cl u d e d .

IN N U M B ERS Rate the level of coaching at schoolboy level* in South Africa Ave r a g e

rating

3.31

2.50% 17.50%

* P l aye r s we r e n o t a s ke d w h i c h h i g h s c h o o l s t h ey h a d a t te n d e d , b u t s o m e p a r t i c i p a n t s s u g g e s te d t h e ave r a g e s t a r r a t i n g wo u l d b e m u c h h i g h e r i f r e s p o n s e s f r o m p l aye r s w h o a t te n d e d S o u t h A f r i c a ’s m a j o r r u g by s c h o o l s ( “ t h e r e g u l a r To p 2 0 ” ) we r e to b e i s o l a te d f r o m the rest of the data set.

Rate the level of coaching at professional age-group level (U19 and U21) in South Africa (these are professional rugby coaches being rated) Ave ra g e

3.38

3.75% 11.25%

41.25%

38.75%

23.75%

36.25%

15%

10%

63%

Rate the level of coaching at senior professional level in South Africa Ave r a g e

ra t i n g

rating

3 . 81

of players are considering a career in professional coaching after retiring from playing

3.75% 11.25%

Rate the level of professional training facilities in South Africa

38.75% 36.25%

Wo r l d class

Ve r y good

O k ay, I guess

Ave r a g e

10% 8.75% 57.50% 32.50% 1.25%

The d ef i ni t i ve s urvey o f p ro fess i o na l rug by p l ayers i n S o u t h Af r i ca

25

COAC H I N G O F WO M EN ’ S RU G BY The average rating for coaching of women’s rugby at school level is 2.56 out of 5.

Nearly half of all female respondents rated this level of coaching with just one . “ The ladie s’ rug by developme nt stage is ve r y p oor in South Af rica . The f act that hig h school ladie s’ rug by is ve r y close to non- existe nt is an is sue b e cause that is the stage whe re the g ro oming star t s . M ost wome n’s playe r s would b e so much b et te r had they known the things they know now a lit tle so one r. If I we re exp ose d to the same profe s sional co aching and manage me nt at the lowe r levels , I would have known all the things I ne e d to know in orde r to improve as a playe r. N ow that I ’m at the inte rnational level , I ’m le arning new things that are so b asic and f undame ntal . It would have b e e n g re at to have known the se things e arlie r.”

– S p r i n g b o k wo m e n ’ s p l aye r

26

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

4.22

the average rating for senior professional coaching of women’s rugby in South Africa

78%

of female participants gave their coaches

22%

rated their coaches with

CONCUSSION & PHYSICAL HEALTH OVERVI E W Th e tre atm e nt a n d p reve ntio n of co n cu s sio n a re m a jo r p rio ritie s fo r Wo rl d R u g by, SA R u g by a n d th e I nte rn atio n a l R u g by Playe r s o rg a n is atio n (I R P). Th e im p a c t of th is b ra in in ju r y h a s b e e n th e fo cu s of m a ny co ntrove r sie s in so m e oth e r “co llisio n sp o r t s ”, like th e N FL . A n d th e re ce nt retire m e nt of S p rin g b o k s t a r p laye r Patrick L a m bie a s a re sult of co n cu s sio n , h a s a g a in sh o n e th e sp otlig ht o n th e seve rit y of th is “ u nfo r tu n ate by- p ro d u c t of p layin g r u g by ”, a s o n e p laye r c a ll e d it . Re se a rch fo r th is re p o r t fo u n d th at yo u n g e r p laye r s a re l e s s co n ce rn e d a b o ut m at te r s p e r t a in in g to th e ir m e nt a l a n d p hysic a l h e a lth , a n d o n ave ra g e , p laye r s b e co m e m o re co n ce rn e d a b o ut th e ir p hysic a l a n d m e nt a l we llb e in g a s a re sult of co n cu s sio n a n d b o dy im p a c t a s th ey g row o l d e r.

O rigin a lly, inte r views co n d u c te d with p laye r s a b o ut co n cu s sio n ce ntre d o n th e p hysic a l im p a c t it h a s o n th e m . H oweve r, it so o n b e c a m e cl e a r th at m a ny d o n ’ t co n sid e r th is co nve r s atio n dis tin c t f ro m th ose a b o ut th e ir fe a r s a n d p e rce ptio n s a b o ut m e nt a l - h e a lth c a re in p rofe s sio n a l r u g by in S o uth Af ric a . I n th e fo llowin g se c tio n , th e re p o r t t a ke s a d e e p e r d ive into p laye r s ’ m e nt a l we llb e in g .

“ I f e e l ve r y f o r t u n ate to h ave h a d a c a r e e r i n r u g by, a g a m e th at I h ave l ove d p l ayi n g s i n c e a ve r y yo u n g a g e . H av i n g to m a ke a f i n a l c a l l to e n d my c a r e e r p r e m at u r e l y a s a r e s u lt o f c o n c u s s i o n w a s o n e o f th e h a r d e st de cisio ns to co m e to .

Luc kily f o r m e , I had p rop e r m e d ical ca re a nd a re ally stro ng su p p o r t structu re , whic h I a m ve r y g ratef ul f o r. I downplaye d a f ew of my inju rie s f o r d if f e re nt re aso ns , whic h lo o king b ac k o n , I neve r should have do ne . T he old-sc ho ol m e ntalit y of d u sting you r se lf of f to play th roug h a n inju r y, f o r whateve r re aso n , ne e d s to b e ig no re d a nd f o rgot te n . H aving do ne that myse lf, I hop e that eve r y sp o r t sma n o r -wo ma n r e a l i s e s th at n o g a m e o f r u g by o r c o m p e titi o n i n a ny s p o r t i s wo r th yo u r h e a lth , e s p e c i a l l y th at o f yo u r h e a d .”

–

PATR I C K L AM B I E

“At o n e p o i nt , I to o k a k n o c k i n a to u r n a m e nt , c a m e h o m e , r e s te d f o r a we e k , d i d my g r a d e d r e t u r n to p l ay, wa s i n c a m p f o r th r e e we e k s , to o k a s m a l l k n o c k o n e d ay, to o k a s m a l l k n o c k t wo d ay s l ate r, a n d th e n th e f o l l owi n g we e k , I to o k a n oth e r k n o c k . T h e n th ey s at m e d ow n a n d to l d m e th ey ’r e p u l l i n g m e o u t . To th e m , it l o o ke d a s if I wa s g e t ti n g u p a l it tl e s l owe r ; I wa s j u s t at to o much risk of taking concussion a g a i n . I wa s s h at te r e d – n oth i n g eve n h a p p e n e d . I to o k a l it tl e k n o c k , b u t I to o k a k n e e a l it tl e l o n g e r th a n u s u a l , a n d th o s e a r e th e s i g n s th at th i n g s a r e n’ t we l l . T h o s e a r e to u g h d e c i s i o n s , b u t l u c k i l y, we’ ve g ot a c o a c h wh o i s m o r e c o n c e r n e d a b o u t yo u b e i n g a b l e to c o n s tr u c t a s e nte n c e 2 0 ye a r s f r o m n ow, to wh at h i s wi n - a n d - l o s s r ati o i s . I d o n’ t k n ow wh e th e r th at ’s eve r yo n e’s a g e n d a .”

– K Y LE B ROWN , f o r m e r S p r i n g b o k S eve n s c a pt a i n

TALK I N G ABO UT CO N C US S I O N T h e g e n e r a l p e rc e pti o n a m o n g p l aye r s i s t h a t m e d i c a l s t a f f and some coaches are taking c o n c u s s i o n “ ve r y s e r i o u s l y ”.

B u t , p l aye r s t h e m s e l ve s d o n o t t a l k a b o u t i t m u c h , a n d m a ny a r e o b l i v i o u s to t h e i m p a c t c o n c u s s i o n c a n h ave o n t h e i r m e n t a l a n d p hy s i c a l w e l l b e i n g : “ P l aye r s d o n ’ t w a n t to b e l i eve that concussion is a major thing i n o u r g a m e . T h ey h ave s e e n t h e r a m i f i c a t i o n s o f a b r o ke n a n k l e o r to r n AC L . B u t c o n c u s s i o n d o e s n ’ t f e e l t h a t t a n g i b l e .”

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W h i l e p l aye r s d o n ’ t t a l k a b o u t co n c u s s i o n th a t of te n , a l l of th e p l aye r s s p o ke n to we re awa re th a t a l o t h a s b e e n d o n e i n re ce n t ye a r s to p reve n t co n c u s s i o n , s p e c i f i c a l l y f ro m m e d i c a l s t a f f a n d a l aws p e r s p e c ti ve . O n e co n ce r n , m o re s o a m o n g s t a f f th a n p l aye r s , i s th a t th e l o n g -te r m i m p a c t of co n c u s s i o n i s n o t ye t f u l l y k n ow n . “ Fo r p l aye r s , th a t ’s a b o n u s . B u t f o r m e d i c a l s t a f f it p ro b a b l y m e a n s th ey ’re g o i n g to h ave p e o p l e w ith m e n t a l h e a l th p ro b l e m s d ow n th e ro a d .”

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

IN N U M B ERS

84% 65% of p l aye r s h ave s u f fe r e d co n c u s s i o n d u ri n g t h e i r p r ofe s s i o n a l c a r e e r

of players are confident that their medical staff and management are doing enough to inform players of the symptoms and potential side effects of concussion

49%

a l m o st

1in10 playe r s h ave co n sid e re d retirin g f ro m p rofessio n a l ru g by d u e to co n cu ssio n . Th e ave rag e ag e of t h ese playe r s is 2 9 ye a r s . Th ose wh o h ave n ot co n sid e re d retiring , a re o n ave rag e 2 6 ye a r s old

of p l aye r s (ave ra g e a g e 27 ) a r e wo r ri e d a b o u t t h e s i d e ef fe c t s of co n c u s s i o n . Th o se wh o a r e n ot wo r ri e d (51%) a r e o n ave ra g e 2 yea r s yo u n g e r

8in10 9in10

players (average age 26) are concerned about the lasting impact of rugby on their physical wellbeing.

Those who are not worried, are on average 24 years old

p l aye r s a re s a t i s f i e d to ve r y s a t i s f i e d with th e l eve l of m e d i c a l c a re ava il a b l e to p rofe s si o n a l r u g by p l aye r s i n S o uth Af ric a

The d ef i ni t i ve s urvey o f p ro fess i o na l rug by p l ayers i n S o u t h Af r i ca

29

MENTAL HEALTH OVERVI E W Fo r th is se c tio n , t wo a c a d e m ic s tu d ie s we re co n sulte d to info rm b oth th e a p p ro a ch a n d q u e s tio n s in th e in - p e r so n inte r views a n d o n lin e su r veys .

Th e s tu die s h e lp e d id e ntif y sym pto m s of co m m o n m e nt a l d iso rd e r s (C M D s) p reva l e nt a m o n g p rofe s sio n a l r u g by p laye r s . Playe r s we re a ske d to in d ic ate wh ich of th e se sym pto m s a re a p p lic a b l e to th e m . Sin ce n o d ef in itio n s we re p rovid e d , a n a d ditio n a l o ptio n (“ I a m n ot su re ” ) wa s a d d e d; 1 0 % of th e s a m p l e se l e c te d th is a n swe r. Th is to pic p rovo ke d d e e p ly e m otio n a l re sp o n se s f ro m m a ny of th e p laye r s inte r viewe d , a n d it sh e d lig ht o n a d a rk a sp e c t of p rofe s sio n a l r u g by th at se e m in gly d o e sn’ t re ce ive th e at te ntio n ath l ete s re q uire o n a n o n g oin g b a sis . Th is discu s sio n will fo cu s o n six a re a s th at sp o nt a n e o u sly c a m e to th e su r f a ce in a lm os t a ll inte r views with g ro u ps a n d in d ivid u a ls .

TALK I N G TO COAC H E S ABO UT V U LN ER AB I LITI E S A l l p l aye r s a d m it te d to s u f f e r i n g f ro m a n x i e t y – s o m e m o re s o th a n o th e r s , a n d f o r d i f f e re n t re a s o n s : i n j u r i e s , p o o r p e r f o r m a n ce s , re l a ti o n s h i p b re a k u p s , d i vo rc e , b e i n g d ro p p e d f ro m a s i d e , d e a th of a f r i e n d o r f a m i l y m e m b e r, a n d h av i n g o n l y m o n th s l e f t o n a co n tr a c t , e tc . I n ve r y f ew c a s e s , p l aye r s f e l t c o m f o r t a b l e t a l k i n g to th e i r c o a c h e s a b o u t v u l n e r a b i l i ti e s , a n x i e t y, a n d th e i r re a s o n s f o r p e r f o r m i n g s u b - o p ti m a l l y.

Ta l k i n g a b o u t e x p e r i e n c e s f r o m earlier in their careers, some senior international players recalled it counting against them when they came to training with something af fecting t h e i r p e r s o n a l l i v e s . “A n y t h i n g af fecting your per formance was wrong, and it got pushed back i nto yo u r f a ce . Th at ’s why g uys are scared to say something .”

Some seasoned Springboks a g re e d th a t S o u th Af r i c a n co a c h e s i n g e n e r a l h ave to b e m o re a p p ro a c h a b l e f o r p l aye r s to s p e a k f re e l y a b o u t p e r s o n a l i s s u e s i m p a c ti n g th e i r l i ve s a n d p e r f o r m a n c e s . “A n x i e t y i s d e f i n i te l y a f a c to r. R e a s s u r a n ce a n d a f o r m of m e n to r s h i p i s o n e way o f d e a l i n g w i th th a t ,” a d d e d a B l i t zb o k .

O th e r s p r a i s e d th e i r co a c h f o r p r i o r iti s i n g a l i f e b eyo n d r u g by a b ove p e r f o r m a n c e , “ b u t i t ’s s ti l l th i s i d e a th a t s u c h a c k n ow l e d g e m e n t s a re s e e n a s we a k n e s s , o r a s to o u n s t a b l e to b e s e l e c te d f o r th e s i d e . T h a t ’s b re a d a n d m o n ey, s o yo u ke e p q u i e t .”

R EL ATI O N S H I P S AR E I NTEG R AL TO PL AY ERS TALK I N G M a ny p l aye r s s a i d th ey va l u e d a cce s s to a te a m p s yc h o l o g i s t o r m e n t a l c o n d iti o n i n g co a c h , b u t

th ey we re n o t co m f o r t a b l e te l l i n g th e i r “d e e p e s t , d a r ke s t s e c re t s ” to s o m e o n e th ey d o n ’ t k n ow we l l . “ We ’ ve g o t a te a m p s yc h o l o g i s t w h o j o i n s u s eve r y n ow a n d a g a i n , b u t h e ’s n o t f u l l -ti m e . I d o f i n d h i m u s e f u l , b u t it ’s a l s o ve r y d i f f i c u l t to g e t a n ew g u y i n eve r y o n e to t wo ye a r s . H ow a re yo u s u p p o s e d to b u i l d a re l a ti o n s h i p w ith s u c h a p e r s o n? ” a s ke d o n e s e n i o r i n te r n a ti o n a l p l aye r.

H oweve r, s o m e p l aye r s p re f e r n o t to t a l k to a te a m p s yc h o l o g i s t o r co a c h , e s p e c i a l l y yo u n g e r p l aye r s .

S e n i o r C u r r i e C u p p l aye r s ex p l a i n e d th a t yo u n g s te r s a re s c a re d of o p e n i n g u p to a te a m p s yc h o l o g i s t .

I n ex p e r i e n ce d p l aye r s of te n th i n k th a t w h e n th ey s ay, “co a c h h a s b e e n h a rd o n m e i n th e l a s t f ew we e k s , a n d h e d o e s n ’ t u n d e r s t a n d th a t s o m e th i n g h a p p e n e d to s o m e o n e i n my f a m i l y,” th a t th e p s yc h o l o g i s t i s g o i n g to re p o r t th a t to th e i r co a c h . B u t , s a i d th e s e n i o r p l aye r s , i f th ey ’ ve g o t s o m e o n e o u t s i d e of th e s ys te m w h o d o e s n ’ t h ave a l i n k w ith s o m e o n e w ith i n th e te a m e nv i ro n m e n t , it ’s a l o t d i f f e re n t to t a l k to th e m .

37%

O F PL AY ERS PR EFER TO TALK TO A TE AM P SYCH O LOG I ST WITH A FO R MAL LI N K TO TH EI R EM PLOY ER

2 8%

O F PL AY ERS PR EFER TO TALK TO AN I N D E P E N D E NT P SYCH O LOG I ST

23%

O F PL AY ERS HAVE N O P R E F E R E N CE

12%

O F PL AY ERS DO N OT WANT TO TALK TO AN Y P SYC H O LO G IST

The d ef i ni t i ve s urvey o f p ro fess i o na l rug by p l ayers i n S o u t h Af r i ca

31

COWBOYS D O N ’ T C RY P l aye r s a c k n ow l e d g e d th a t m e n t a l h e a l th i s s u e s i s a “ b i g p ro b l e m i n S o u th Af r i c a n r u g by,” b u t th a t i t h a s to b e m a d e l e s s t a b o o b e f o re p l aye r s w i l l o p e n u p a b o u t i t . “ I n S o u th Af r i c a ,” s a i d o n e B l i t zb o k , “ m e n a p p a re n tl y d o n ’ t h ave p ro b l e m s . I t ’s c r az y. We m i g h t h ave p ro b l e m s , b u t we d o n ’ t s ay a wo rd a b o u t it . P e r h a p s b e h i n d c l o s e d d o o r s w ith a b o t tl e o f b r a n d y.”

A n u m b e r of p l aye r s s a i d , “cow b oys d o n ’ t c r y ” w h e n a s ke d w hy p l aye r s generally do not talk about mental h e a l th i s s u e s . “ We d o n ’ t wa n t to a d m i t we a k n e s s a n d d e f e a t .”

From what som e playe rs have experienced abroad , they feel the South Af ric an rugby environment lags behind some other nations i n t h i s r e g a r d . C o n s e q u e n t l y, som e playe rs fe el that m e ntal health support is not prioritised l o c a l l y. “A n d w h e n y o u ’ r e y o u n g e r, you don’t acknowledge that depression is a real thing , so you look to the nearest, quickest fix for your problems .”

M ENTAL H E ALTH AN D INJURIES U n d e r s t a n d a b l y, l o n g r e h a b i l i t a t i o n p r o c e s s e s m a ke p l aye r s a n x i o u s , a n d s o m e f e e l t h a t i n j u r e d p l aye r s s h o u l d h ave a c c e s s to g u i d a n c e , m e n to r s h i p o r professional help with the mental aspects of injur y rehab. “ I t d o e s n ’ t a lways h i t yo u i n th e b e g i n n i n g ,” s a i d o n e p l aye r. “ B u t i n th e m i d d l e o f yo u r re h a b , f r u s tr a ti o n b e c o m e s a f a c to r, b e c a u s e yo u d o n ’ t k n ow w h e th e r yo u ’re g o i n g to b e th e s a m e a g a i n .

That causes anxiety and perhaps eve n d e p re s s i o n . Yo u r h e a d i s d ow n . Yo u ’re b l e a k a b o u t n o t p l ay i n g . A m I g o i n g to b e th e s a m e a g a i n? I t ’s a s c a r y th o u g h t p a t te r n th a t yo u h ave to d e a l w i th .”

32

M ENTAL H E ALTH AN D R E TI R EM ENT A l l p l aye r s a s ke d , s a i d n o t e n o u g h i s b e i n g d o n e i n S o u th Af r i c a to m e n t a l l y p re p a re p l aye r s f o r a l i f e a f te r r u g by. A f ew ve te r a n S p r i n g b o k s s a i d th a t “ yo u n g s te r s ” th i n k th e i r r u g by c a re e r s w i l l l a s t f o reve r, “ b u t it d o e s n ’ t ”.

D e p re s s i o n of te n f o l l ows a f te r re ti re m e n t , a n d th e s e s e a s o n e d p l aye r s we re a c u te l y awa re o f th e tr a g i c co n s e q u e n ce s th a t co u l d h ave . T h ey s a i d th e b i g g e s t c h a l l e n g e , m e n t a l l y, co m e s i n th o s e f i r s t t wo ye a r s a f te r re ti re m e n t w h e n p l aye r s h ave to f i n d th e i r f e e t a n d p l a ce i n s o c i e t y. “ P l aye r s f i n d th a t i n c re d i b l y h a rd .”

A co u p l e of re a s o n s we re a d va n ce d f o r th i s – “ n o t tre n d i n g o n Tw it te r a ny m o re ,” “ n o t s e t ti n g yo u r s e l f u p f i n a n c i a l l y f o r a l i f e a f te r r u g by ”, “a d a pti n g to a l i f e w h e re eve r y b o d y d o e s n o t k n ow yo u r n a m e ”, a n d “ u n f u l f i l l e d g o a l s a n d a s p i r a ti o n s a f te r yo u r c a re e r wa s c u t s h o r t by i n j u r y o r i l l n e s s ”.

T h e s o l u ti o n th e n , s a i d o n e p l aye r, i s p reve n ti o n r a th e r th a n c u re : “ I f we wa n t we l l -f u n c ti o n i n g exr u g by p l aye r s i n s o c i e t y, f i n a n c i a l l i te r a c y i s p ro b a b l y o n e of th e m o s t i m p o r t a n t s k i l l s we s h o u l d te a c h o u r p l aye r s a t th e o n s e t of th e i r c a re e r s .”

O th e r playe rs at th e e nd of th eir contrac t admitted the transition to a life af ter rugby is going to be incredibly challenging for t h e m . S a i d o n e p l a y e r, “ B u t I ’ v e found that being gratef ul for the t h i n g s t h a t r e a l l y m a t t e r, l i k e m y f a m i l y, h e l p s m e c r o s s t h i s inevitable bridge.”

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

IN N U M B ERS M ENTAL H E ALTH AN D PER FO R MAN C E O n e s e n i o r S u p e r R u g by p l aye r w i th g r a d u a te q u a l i f i c a ti o n s a n d b u s i n e s s ex p e r i e n ce co m p a re d th e p e r f o r m a n c e - d r i ve n e nv i ro n m e n t of p ro f e s s i o n a l r u g by to p e r f o r m a n ce rev i ews i n a co r p o r a te s e t ti n g . “ W h e n yo u g e t p e r f o r m a n c e rev i ewe d i n a co r p o r a te e nv i ro n m e n t , i t ’s o f te n a p a s s i ve , s u b tl e ex p e r i e n ce yo u ’re p u t th ro u g h eve r y s i x m o n th s w h e re yo u ’re a s ke d to u p yo u r g a m e o r to ke e p o n d o i n g w h a t yo u ’re d o i n g , w h e re a s a r u g by p l aye r ex p e r i e n ce s p e r f o r m a n c e rev i ews we e k o n we e k .

A n d th a t l e a d s to a n x i e t y. We j o ke a b o u t it , b u t a l o t o f p l aye r s s u f f e r f ro m a n x i e t y.”

To h i m , M o n d ays a re th e to u g h e s t d ay a t th e of f i c e , w i n o r l o s e . “ I t ’s b r u t a l , e s p e c i a l l y a f te r yo u ’ ve l o s t .

Yo u wo r r y a b o u t l e t ti n g yo u r co a c h a n d th e p u b l i c d ow n . Yo u r s e l e c ti o n b e co m e s a n i s s u e . Yo u ’ ve g o t a rev i ew c o m i n g u p . I t a l l h a p p e n s i n a we e k , a n d yo u d o n ’ t k n ow w h e n i t w i l l h a p p e n , o r h ow i t w i l l h a p p e n .

T h e u n c e r t a i n t y c re a te s a l o t o f a n x i e t y, a n d it h a s to b e d e a l t w i th .”

4 in 10 players indicated that they suffer from one or more symptoms of common mental disorders, while 1 in 10 is not sure about the status of their mental wellbeing.

One third of professional rugby players surveyed indicated that they suffer from sleeping disturbance, while 5% admitted to being addicted to sleep medication (this pattern seems to linger after retirement):

30% 16% SLEEPING DISTURBANCE

ANXIET Y

13% 11% DEPRESSION

10% DISTRESS

A DV E R S E N U T R I T I O N / E AT I N G B E H AV I O U R

1.3% S U B S TA N C E DEPENDENCE / ABUSE (s e e s e c ti o n o n d o p i n g)

The d ef i ni t i ve s urvey o f p ro fess i o na l rug by p l ayers i n S o u t h Af r i ca

33

75%

72%

of playe rs a re co m fo r t a b l e t a l k i n g to tea m m a tes a b o ut p e rsonal issues im pa c ting th eir p e r forma n ce as professional athletes (5 6% fo r wo m e n ’s ru g by p l aye r s)

43% of m e n ’s playe r s a re co mfo r t a ble t a lk in g to t h eir coa ch a b o u t p e r so n a l is su es im pa c ting t h eir p e r fo rm a n ce a s p rofes sio n a l at h letes (5 6% fo r wo m e n)

34

of players are comfortable talking to psychologists or mental conditioning coaches about personal issues impacting their performance as professional athletes (78% for women).

1 in 5

1 in 4

players felt their head coach is not approachable to talk to about personal feelings and insecurities.

Two-thirds of women’s players said their coaches are approachable to talk to, while the remaining third weren’t sure. None of the women surveyed said their coach is not approachable.

men’s players (2 in 4 women) have not spoken to a teammate, coach, psychologist, or mental conditioning coach about personal issues – whether clinical or not – that might be impacting their performance as professional athletes.

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

CAREER PLANNING & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OVERVI E W Th is se c tio n cove r s va rio u s a sp e c t s of c a re e r p la n n in g a n d p e r so n a l d eve lo p m e nt , f ro m wh ose re sp o n sibilit y it is to p la n a n d m a n a g e a p laye r ’s c a re e r a n d th e tra n sitio n to a life af te r r u g by, to e d u c atio n , s avin g s , inve s tm e nt s , re latio n sh ips with co m m e rcia l p a r tn e r s , a s we ll a s sys te m ic is su e s th at m ig ht p reve nt p laye r s f ro m a d e q u ate ly p re p a rin g fo r a life af te r r u g by.

“ Lo o k i n g b a c k o n my c a r e e r, I wa s tr u l y b l e s s e d with a m a zi n g o p p o r t u n iti e s to g r ow my s e l f a s a p r o f e s s i o n a l r u g by p l aye r a n d i n d i v i d u a l . O p p o r t u n iti e s l i ke g e t ti n g a f o r m a l q u a l if i c ati o n f r o m th e To u l o u s e B u s i n e s s S c h o o l a n d b e c o m i n g a p a r t o f a s m a l l b u s i n e s s ve nt u r e s ta r te d by my f o r m e r S p r i n g b o k a n d To u l o n te a m m ate s D u a n e Ve r m e u l e n a n d J u a n d r é K r u g e r, g ave m e a n i n c r e d i b l e s e n s e o f a c c o m p l i s h m e nt , b u t a l s o u n d e r s t a n d i n g th at th e b u b b l e o f p r o f e s s i o n a l s p o r t s e q u i p p e d m e with c e r ta i n s k i l l s th at , if a p p l i e d p r o p e r l y, c a n c r e ate f u r th e r o p p o r t u n iti e s f o r th e n e x t p h a s e . I a l w ay s h a d it i n th e b a c k o f my m i n d – th at i n ev ita b l e m o m e nt o f f a c i n g th e e n d o f my r u g by c a r e e r. K n owi n g th at I d i d s o m e th i n g m e a n i n g f u l to u p s k i l l my s e l f i n p r e p a r ati o n f o r l if e af te r r u g by, eve nt u a l l y m a d e th e tr a n s iti o n e a s i e r. I wo u l d h ave l i ke d to e n d my c a r e e r o n my ow n te r m s , a n d eve n th o u g h I u nf o r t u n ate l y w a s n’ t a b l e to , I a m g r ate f u l to th e p e o p l e i n my l if e th at e n c o u r a g e d m e to t a ke l if e af te r r u g by a b it m o r e s e r i o u s l y. Le s s o n s I ’ ve l e a r n e d f r o m my c a r e e r, a r e to s e e eve r y eve nt a s a n e t wo r k i n g o p p o r t u n it y, to b u i l d a n i n d i v i d u a l b r a n d , a n d to t a ke th e l e a p o f f a ith .

To s ta r t o n a s m a l l s c a l e a n d b u i l d towa r d s s o m e th i n g b i g g e r.”

–

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B RYAN HABANA

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

C AR EER PL AN N I N G A l a r g e m a j o r it y of p l aye r s f e l t th a t th ey h a d to ow n th e p r i m a r y re s p o n s i b i l it y to p l a n a n d m a n a g e th e i r c a re e r s , a s we l l a s th e tr a n s i ti o n to a l i f e a f te r r u g by. T h a t b e i n g s a i d , s o m e of th e p l aye r s w h o we re m o s t s u cce s s f u l i n m a n a g i n g th e i r c a re e r s w h i l s t p l ay i n g a n d w i th a n eye o n re ti re m e n t , h a d m e n to r s , m o s tl y f a th e r s , w h o a s s i s te d th e m i n m a k i n g s m a r t c a re e r c h o i ce s a n d f i n a n c i a l d e c i s i o n s .

S o m e S p r i n g b o k s m e n ti o n e d th a t p l aye r s ’ a g e n t s a re i d e a l l y p o s iti o n e d to p l ay a p i vo t a l ro l e h e re . I f, hy p o th e ti c a l l y, th e re i s a 2 1 -ye a ro l d r i s i n g s t a r w h o e a r n s R 1 0 0 0 0 0 p e r m o n th , “ h e m i g h t n o t ye t h ave th e n e ce s s a r y l i f e ex p e r i e n ce a n d - s k i l l s to m a tc h h i s i n c o m e ”.

W h a t i s h e d o i n g w ith th a t m o n ey ? D o e s h e h ave th e re l eva n t k n ow l e d g e to i nve s t w i s e l y ?

I s th e re s o m e o n e wo r k i n g w ith h i m? I n th i s i n s t a n ce , s a i d th e s e n i o r p l aye r s , it co u l d h ave d i re co n s e q u e n ce s f i n a n c i a l l y a n d m e n t a l l y l a te r o n i n th e p l aye r ’s l i f e i f h e h a d to “ g e t e d u c a te d i n th e S c h o o l of H a rd K n o c k s ”. “ T h i s i s w h e re yo u n e e d s o m e o n e to g u i d e yo u , a n d to f a s t-tr a c k yo u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of m a n a g i n g yo u r p e r s o n a l l i f e a n d f i n a n ce s b e f o re yo u l o o k b a c k o n to o m a ny b a d c h o i ce s th a t co u l d h ave b e e n avo i d e d . Yo u d o n ’ t wa n t to s e e a s it u a ti o n w h e re o n e of th e m o s t g i f te d p l aye r s i n th e co u n tr y s it s w ith o u t a ce n t o n h i s n a m e a t th e e n d of h i s c a re e r.” T h e n e e d f o r th i s s o r t of m e n to r s h i p i s e s p e c i a l l y c r iti c a l f o r p l aye r s w h o d o n ’ t co m e f ro m a b a c kg ro u n d w h e re th ey h ave s o m e o n e , l i ke a f a th e r f i g u re , w h o c a n m e n to r th e m .

O th e r p l aye r s s u p p o r te d th i s v i ew, b u t a d d e d th a t m o s t r u g by p l aye r s d o n ’ t l e a r n h ow to d o th i n g s fo r th e m s e l ve s , a n d th a t a m e n to r p ro g r a m m e i s a d v i s a b l e a s o p p o s e d to s o m e o n e w h o j u s t d o e s eve r y th i n g o n a p l aye r ’s b e h a l f.

I NVESTM ENTS R u g by p l aye r s a r e o f te n s o f t t a r g e t s f o r i nve s to r s s e e k i n g p a r t n e r s i n v a r i o u s ve n t u r e s . O n e S p r i n g b o k s a i d h e o f te n w a r n s yo u n g p l aye r s f r o m i nve s t i n g i n “ b a r s , c a r s , a n d s u p e r s t a r s ”, b u t that these aren’t the only pitfalls.

H e m e n t i o n e d s o m e p l aye r s w h o h ave l o s t l a r g e s u m s o f m o n ey i n g a m e a n i m a l ve n t u r e s – “ i t ’s a l w ay s t h e p l aye r ’s a n i m a l s t h a t d i e , a n d n eve r t h e f a r m e r ’s w h o m h e p a r t n e r e d w i t h .” T h e g o l d e n r u l e i s “ to k n o w w h e r e yo u r m o n ey i s a t a l l t i m e s ”.

ED U C ATI O N S e n i o r S p r i n g b o k s w i th Eu ro p e a n c l u b r u g by ex p e r i e n ce q u e s ti o n e d th e p r i o r it y th e S o u th Af r i c a n r u g by i n d u s tr y p u t s o n th e d eve l o p m e n t of th e i r p l aye r s o u t s i d e o f r u g by – e d u c a ti o n a n d p u r s u i n g b u s i n e s s ve n t u re s . B u t , s o m e f e l t th e p r i o r iti s a ti o n o f e d u c a ti o n a n d e n tre p re n e u r s h i p c o u l d g i ve th e d o m e s ti c i n d u s tr y a co m p e ti ti ve a d va n t a g e th a t c u r t a i l s S o u th Af r i c a ’s i n a b i l it y to co m p e te o n f o re i g n exc h a n g e r a te s . “ O u r v i ews o n th e we l l b e i n g of p l aye r s i s ve r y m u c h s a l a r y- b a s e d , a n d we m a ke n o re a l i nve s tm e n t s i n th e d eve l o p m e n t of th e h u m a n b e i n g .

T h e re i s n o s i n c e re c u l t u re f o r th e p u r s u it of e d u c a ti o n a n d b u s i n e s s ve n t u re s i n S o u th Af r i c a n r u g by, b u t i f we wa n t to ke e p o u r p l aye r s by re a l l y c re a ti n g va l u e f o r th e m , th i s i s s o m e th i n g we c a n n o t a f f o rd to n e g l e c t .”

O th e r s e n i o r i n te r n a ti o n a l p l aye r s s a i d th a t a p u s h f o r e d u c a ti o n a l a n d p e r s o n a l d eve l o p m e n t c a n n o t b e p l aye r d r i ve n . “ Yo u n e e d d e d i c a te d ti m e f o r th e s e th i n g s , a n d ti m e b e l o n g s to w h o eve r r u n s th e s h o p . T h a t ’s w h e re th e p r i o r i t y a n d m o ti va ti o n s h o u l d l i e – th e e m p l oye r s .”

W h e n a s ke d w h e th e r th ey wo u l d p a r ti c i p a te i n p ro g r a m m e s

e n c o u r a g i n g e d u c a ti o n a l a n d b u s i n e s s p u r s u it s , e s p e c i a l l y s e n i o r p l aye r s n e a r i n g th e e n d of th e i r c a re e r s we re i n f avo u r of s u c h f o r m a l i s e d s tr u c t u re s , th o u g h th ey d o u bte d w h e th e r yo u n g p l aye r s wo u l d re a l l y g r a s p th e va l u e a n d i m p o r t a n ce of th e s e o p p o r t u n iti e s .

T h i s , i n t u r n , h i g h l i g h t s th e i m p o r t a n ce of a d e q u a te l y s k i l l e d m e n to r s a d v i s i n g yo u n g p l aye r s o n th e i r p e r s o n a l d eve l o p m e n t .

B eyo n d e d u c a ti o n , m a ny s e n i o r p l aye r s i n te r v i ewe d we re a n x i o u s a b o u t th e i r c a re e r o p p o r t u n iti e s i m m e d i a te l y a f te r re ti r i n g f ro m th e g a m e , a n d i n q u ite a f ew c a s e s , th e s e co n ce r n e d p l aye r s h a d co m p l e te d th e i r u n i ve r s it y e d u c a ti o n . U n d e r s t a n d i n g w h a t th e i r p a s s i o n s , s k i l l s a n d co m p e te n c i e s a re , a n d h ow th ey wo u l d e n te r th e j o b m a r ke t a t s u c h a re l a ti ve l y l a te s t a g e i n th e i r l i ve s , we re s o m e of th e co n ce r n s th ey h a d a n d f o r w h i c h th ey d e m o n s tr a te d a n e e d f o r p ro p e r c a re e r co u n s e l l i n g a n d p r a c ti c a l o cc u p a ti o n a l a d v i ce .

CO N S EQ U EN C ES O F N OT STU DY I N G C o n t r a r y to t h e b e n e f i t s o f s t u d y i n g w h i l s t p l ay i n g – l i ke , “ h av i n g s o m e t h i n g s u b s t a n t i a l to t a ke my m i n d o f f r u g by w h e n I ’m b e h i n d t h e b o o k s ”, a n d “d r a w i n g my s e l f- w o r t h a s a p l aye r f r o m m o r e t h a n j u s t my a b i l i t y to p l ay t h e g a m e ” – m a ny p l aye r s r e f e r r e d to f o r m e r, r e t i r e d te a m m a te s to i l l u s t r a te t h e n e g a t i ve i m p a c t o f n o t p u r s u i n g a te r t i a r y e d u c a t i o n .

O n e i n te r n a ti o n a l p l aye r to l d of a f o r m e r te a m m a te w h o h a d to m a ke e n d s m e e t by wo r k i n g a s a p e tro l s t a ti o n a t te n d a n t : “ I ’m th i n k i n g , wow ! I p l aye d p rof e s s i o n a l r u g by w i th h i m fo r s i x ye a r s , b u t n ow h e wo r k s a s a p e tro l j o c key. W h e n yo u ’re a b it o l d e r, th a t s c a re s th e h e l l o u t of yo u . B u t w h e n yo u ’re 2 3 a n d yo u j u s t re ce i ve d a th re e -ye a r co n tr a c t , yo u th i n k yo u ’re s o r te d f o r l i f e .”

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A n o th e r p re d i c te d s e e i n g “ m o re a n d m o re b a n k r u pt ex- p ro s i n th e f u t u re ”, w h i l e a s e n i o r S p r i n g b o k a d d e d , “ Yo u ’l l m e e t a f o r m e r p l aye r w h o yo u ’d th i n k h a d to re ti re l e k ke r f ro m r u g by, b u t h e ’l l te l l yo u , l i s te n , B o e t , I ’ ve g o t n o th i n g l e f t .”

I t ’s n o t o n l y s e n i o r re ti re d p l aye r s w h o s e s to r i e s s c a re c u r re n t a th l e te s . “ I h a d way to o m a ny f r i e n d s w h o g o t s p a t o u t of p ro f e s s i o n a l r u g by b e t we e n th e a g e s o f 24 a n d 2 6 w i th n o e d u c a ti o n , n o m o n ey, n o th i n g , b e c a u s e th ey ’re l i v i n g o n a R 1 5 0 0 0 to R 2 0 0 0 0 c o n tr a c t . A n d th e n th e b i g b re a k d o e s n ’ t co m e , o r o n e b i g i n j u r y e n d s it a l l .”

B u s i n e s s ve n t u r e s w a s p u t f o r w a r d a s o n e w ay o f s e c u r i n g o n e ’s f u t u r e , b u t a c c o r d i n g to a l a r g e m a j o r i t y o f p l aye r s s p o ke n to , a t t a i n i n g a te r t i a r y q u a l i f i c a t i o n w a s l i ke l y t h e s i n g l e m o s t i m p o r t a n t i nve s t m e n t a yo u n g p l aye r c o u l d m a ke i n h i s f u t u r e .

PL AY I N G WH I LST STU DY I N G A co m m o n exc u s e a m o n g r u g by p l aye r s f o r n o t s t u d y i n g i s th a t th ey d o n ’ t h ave ti m e . N u m e ro u s s e n i o r r u g by p l aye r s i n te r v i ewe d f o r th i s re p o r t d i s p e l l e d th i s n o ti o n . T h e re i s , h oweve r, s ti l l a n e e d f o r s ys te m i c s u p p o r t o f te r ti a r y e d u c a ti o n , and not all unions and franchises a re s e e m i n g l y p r i o r i ti s i n g th i s a s p e c t o f p l aye r s ’ l i ve s . O n e p l aye r i n te r v i ewe d q u a l i f i e d a s a c h a r te re d a c c o u n t a n t w h i l e p l ay i n g p rof e s s i o n a l l y, a n d a n o th e r s a i d h i s f o u r-ye a r d e g re e e n d e d u p t a k i n g h i m n i n e ye a r s to co m p l e te , “ b u t I ’ ve g o t th e p a p e r wo r k ”. A B l i t zb o k s a i d h i s p ro f e s s i o n a l c a re e r to o k o f f a f te r w r iti n g h i s f i n a l exa m p a p e r : “ M y l i f e c h a n g e d f o r th e b e t te r.”

38

B U I LD I N G R EL ATI O N S H I P S WITH CO M M ERC IAL PARTN ERS O n e w o u l d b e f o r g i ve n f o r t h i n k i n g t h a t r u g by p l aye r s a r e b o r e d o u t o f t h e i r m i n d w h e n a t te n d i n g s p o n s o r f u n c t i o n s . B u t i n te r v i e w s w i t h m a ny s e n i o r p l aye r s r eve a l e d e x a c t l y t h e o p p o s i te .

M a ny re g a rd g e t-to g e th e r s w ith co m m e rc i a l p a r tn e r s a s o n e of th e b i g g e s t b e n e f it s of b e i n g p ro f e s s i o n a l a th l e te s – a n d n o t j u s t f o r th e n e t wo r k i n g o p p o r t u n iti e s th ey p re s e n t ( g a i n i n g co r p o r a te ex p e r i e n ce w h i l e s ti l l p l ay i n g , e m p l oy m e n t o p p o r t u n iti e s a f te r r u g by, e tc .), b u t a l s o a s a way of i m p a r ti n g s p o r t- s p e c i f i c s k i l l s a n d I P th a t co r p o r a te s m i g h t f i n d i n te re s ti n g a n d u s e f u l (w h i c h co u l d , i n s o m e c a s e s , c re a te a l te r n a ti ve reve n u e s tre a m s f o r p l aye r s).

A n u m b e r o f p l aye r s m e n t i o n e d s t i l l h av i n g c o n t a c t , m e n to r r e l a t i o n s h i p s , a n d eve n f r i e n d s h i p s w i t h e m p l oye e s f r o m c o m m e r c i a l par tners whose formal ties to r u g by m i g h t a l r e a d y h ave e n d e d . At s o m e f r a n c h i s e s , t h e s y n e r g i e s b e t w e e n p l aye r s a n d their commercial par tners are still s t r o n g , b u t o t h e r s l a m e n te d t h e absence of such “partnerships” when new commercial par tners c o m e i n “a n d o n l y r e a l l y p a r t n e r w i t h t h e g u y s u p a t H Q ”.

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

IN N U M B ERS Planning and managing one’s career

7 2 % 14% 10% of p l aye r s b e li eve it ’s th e i r own re s p o n si b ilit y to p l a n a n d m a n a g e th e i r c a re e r s a s p rofe s si o n a l ath l ete s .

b e li eve s th at th e i r a g e nt s a re re s p o n si b l e fo r th i s a s p e c t of th e i r live s . T h e l at te r g ro u p ra n g e d f ro m 2 0 to 2 9 ye a r s o l d , a n d th ey s h owe d n o d evi ati o n f ro m th e s a m p l e ’s ave ra g e a g e of 2 6 .

of p l aye r s b e li eve th e re s p o n si b ilit y re si d e s with th e m s e lve s , th e i r p a re nt s/ g u a rd i a n s , th e i r a g e nt s , e m p l oye r s a n d M y P l aye r s .

I n th e o n li n e s u r vey, n o p l aye r s i n d i c ate d th at it ’s th e s o l e re s p o n si b ilit y of th e i r e m p l oye r s (u n i o n s a n d /o r SA R u g by).

Transitioning to a life after rugby

1 . 3%

76%

of p l aye r s* b e li eve it ’s th e i r a g e nt s ’ re s p o n si b ilit y to h e l p th e m p l a n a n d m a n a g e th e i r tra n siti o n to a life af te r r u g by.

of p l aye r s b e li eve it ’s th e i r own re s p o n si b ilit y.

o n ly

* S e e t h e s e c t i o n o n a g e n t s f o r a m o r e c o m p r e h e n s i ve discussion on agent roles and expectations.

Life after rugby O n a sc a l e of 1 to 5 , h ow awa re a re p l aye r s of t h e re a l i t y of s t a r t i n g a s e co n d c a re e r a f te r ru g by?

3

4

5

6 . 41%

2 6 . 92%

66 . 67 %

I thin k a b o ut it so m etim es

I thin k a b o ut it of te n

It ’s always o n my min d

Weighted average: 4.60

The d ef i ni t i ve s urvey o f p ro fess i o na l rug by p l ayers i n S o u t h Af r i ca

39

Life after rugby (continued)

47% 53% of playe r s h ave a c a re e r pla n fo r a life af te r rug by

of playe r s d o n ot h ave a c a re e r pla n fo r a life af te r rug by

Th e “ yes”g ro up is o n ave rag e o nly h a lf a ye a r old e r th a n th e “n o”g ro u p

74%

26%

of playe r s h ave s ta r te d s avin g fo r a life af te r rug by (ave rag e a g e 27 )

of playe r s h ave n ot s ta r te d s aving fo r a life af te r rug by (ave rag e ag e 24) * E xc l u d e s c o m p u l s o r y c o n t r i b u t i o n o f 15 % o f i n c o m e t ow a r d s M yP l aye r s P e n s i o n F u n d

Investments 1 i n 4 p laye r s h ave suf fe re d m a jo r f in a n cia l los se s a s a re sult of m a kin g at l e a s t o n e of th e fo llowin g inve s tm e nt s*. Pe rce nt a g e s in d ic ate sh a re of p laye r s su r veye d th at inve s te d in th e re sp e c tive c ate g o rie s , th u s a p laye r co uld h ave m a rke d m o re th a n o n e c ate g o r y.

4 0%

18 %

14%

6%

Re a l e s t ate

C r y pto c u r re n c y

L ive s to c k

P ro p e r t y d eve l o p m e nt s

4%

1%

28%

36 %

Re s t a u ra nt s

Game animals

O th e r b u si n e s s e s

N o n e of th e p revi o u s

* N o n e o f t h e wo m e n ’s p l aye r s s u r veye d m a d e i nve s t m e n t s i n a ny o f t h e c a t e g o r i e s p r e s e n t e d .

40

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

An alternative career to rugby o n ly

56%

of players have an alternative career or revenue stream to rely on if their rugby careers ended today, either by force or choice

Tertiary or professional qualifications

2 4% players who already have at least one tertiary or professional qualification (average age 27; age range 23-31)

3 5% players who are currently working towards at least one tertiary or professional qualification (average age 25; age range 20-32)

41% players who do not have any tertiary or professional qualifications and are not working towards at least one such qualification (average age 27; age range 21-35)

Pursuing a career in rugby

4in10 players will NOT encourage schools players to pursue rugby as a full-time career

The average age of these players is 27 years (been professional for 7.3 years; career lengths ranging from 3 to 11 years). The players who support the pursuit of rugby as a career are on average 26 years old (been pro for 6.2 years; career lengths ranging from 2 to 14 years). To contextualise the “4-in-10” statistic, consider this being the case in an alternative profession, like medicine. It would be deeply disconcerting if 4 in every 10 doctors discouraged pupils from pursuing a career in medicine.

E X TR AC T FRO M AN I NTERVI E W Fo r m e r J u n i o r B o k c a p t a i n : “ T h e a c t u a l dream should be this…”

We h ave to s e ll a d if fe re nt p i c tu re to k i d s co m i n g o u t of s c h o o l . T h i s vi si o n to “co m e p l ay r u g by fo r u s , d o n ’ t s tu d y, a n d b e co m e a S p ri n g b o k at 2 0 ’ ” i s a f a rce . O u r co a c h a lways s ays g o o d p e o p l e m a ke g o o d p l aye r s . B u t I re ce ntly re a d i n a b o o k l et at a Eu ro p e a n cl u b th at th ey s ay g o o d s tu d e nt s m a ke g o o d p l aye r s . Yo u h ave to b e co a c h a b l e . Yo u h ave to l e a r n . A n d th at ’s wh at va r sit y of fe r s yo u .

Ta ke my c a re e r – I we nt to (u n i o n X ) af te r s c h o o l b e c a u s e th ey s o l d m e th e b e s t d re a m of a ll th o s e re c r u iti n g . I wa s o n e of 3 5 U n d e r-1 9 co ntra c te d p l aye r s . O f u s , o n ly th re e s till p l ay r u g by i n S o u th Af ri c a .

A n d i n a ll , o n ly fo u r of u s s till p l ay r u g by at a ll . H ow m a ny of u s g ra d u ate d f ro m va r sit y ? N ot o n e .

H ow do we measure whether our rugby s y s t e m i s h e a l t h y ? We c o u l d l o o k a t t h e w e l l b e i n g o f 4 0 - y e a r- o l d r e t i r e d Springboks . H ow are they doing? The real world only becomes your realit y a f t e r r e t i r e m e n t . A r e t h e s e e x- p l a y e r s well integrated back into societ y? What have they learned? O r has ever y thing just always be en given to them on a s i l v e r s p o o n?

T h e p i n n a cl e of yo u r life c a n n ot b e wh e re a n d wh o yo u we re at 2 5 . B u t th at ’s th e d re a m we ’re s e lli n g : 1 % m a ke it , a n d th e re m a i n i n g 9 9 % of p l aye r s ke e p c h a si n g th at e l u sive d re a m of th e 1 % .

T h e a c tu a l d re a m s h o u l d b e th i s: d eve l o p yo u r s e lf fo r a l o n g -te r m c a re e r, o r g o s tu d y towa rd s a q u a lif i c ati o n , b e a s tu d e nt , a n d o n ly at 2 2 d o yo u d e ci d e wh eth e r yo u re a lly wa nt to b e a p rofe s si o n a l r u g by p l aye r. B y th at ti m e , yo u ’re a lit tl e b it b ig g e r, s tro n g e r, s m a r te r, wi s e r, a n d yo u ’ ve g ot a te r ti a r y q u a lif i c ati o n . T h e n , af te r p l ayi n g fo r t wo ye a r s , at 24 , yo u c a n re co n si d e r eve r y th i n g a g a i n . I f r u g by i s n ot th e c a re e r fo r yo u , th e n at l e a s t yo u ’ ve g ot a n a cco u nti n g d e g re e o r a d i p l o m a i n n atu re co n s e r vati o n with wh i c h yo u c a n m ove i nto th e n ex t p h a s e of yo u r life .

B u t to c a s t a ll yo u r d re a m s i nto r u g by at th e a g e of 2 0 , 2 1 , j u s t to re a li s e – at 24 o r 27 – th at th e d re a m i s n ’ t g o i n g to h a p p e n , i s j u s t to u g h a n d s a d .

The d ef i ni t i ve s urvey o f p ro fess i o na l rug by p l ayers i n S o u t h Af r i ca

41

“ T he pinnacl e of your l if e c anno t be where and who y ou were at 2 5. Bu t t hat ’s t he dre am we’re s el l ing: 1% ma k e i t, and t he remaining 99% of pl ay er s k eep cha s ing t hat el u s ive dre am of t he 1%.”

42

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

PLAYING OVERSEAS OVERVI E W Th is is a n e m otive to pic fo r S o uth Af ric a n s , a n d o n e th at m a ny wo ul d re g a rd to b e at th e h e a r t of o u r to u g h e s t r u g by ch a ll e n g e s . D u rin g inte r views , m o n ey a n d g a m e tim e we re th e t wo p rim a r y re a so n s te n d e re d fo r p laye r s l e avin g . B ut wh e n give n m o re o ptio n s in th e o n lin e su r veys , m o n ey wa s n atu ra lly s till th e m a in d rive r, b ut g a m e tim e o n ly ra n ke d f if th o ut of six p os sib l e a n swe r s .

Th e o bvio u s so l utio n to ret a in in g S o uth Af ric a n t a l e nt is to p ay th e m m o re , b ut in r u g by ’s cu rre nt e co n o m ic clim ate th is is n ot a lways a via b l e o ptio n . H oweve r, b e sid e s b et te r re m u n e ratio n , th e fo llowin g f a c to r s we re a lso h ig h lig hte d a s co n sid e ratio n s th at co uld inf l u e n ce p laye r s ’ d e cisio n to re m a in o n h o m e soil:

• B et te r a n d e a rlie r co m m u n ic atio n in co ntra c tin g • Lo n g e r-te rm co ntra c t s (th re e to f ive ye a r s) • O p p o r tu n itie s fo r p e r so n a l g row th b eyo n d r u g by • A sin ce re cultu re of c a rin g a n d p laye r- ce nte re d n e s s

LE AVI N G O N A J E T PL AN E … SOO N

ELI G I B I LIT Y TO PL AY FO R OTH ER CO U NTR I E S

9 i n 1 0 p l aye r s s u r veye d a re s i g n i n g a d e a l to p l ay p ro f e s s i o n a l r u g by ove r s e a s w i th i n th e n ex t t wo ye a r s , o r a re a t l e a s t co n s i d e r i n g th e p o s s i b i l it y.

75% of re s p o n d e n t s b e l i eve p l aye r s s h o u l d b e a l l owe d to p l ay Te s t r u g by f o r o th e r n a ti o n s .

Fo r th e s t a ti s ti c s i n th e t a b l e b e l ow, p l aye r s we re a s ke d to m a r k o n l y t h e m o s t a p p r o p r i a t e a n s we r, th u s to s e l e c t j u s t o n e o pti o n .

Tr a n s f o r m ati o n a n d S o u th A f r i c a’s p o l iti c a l s it u ati o n we re d e l i b e r a te l y s p e c i f i e d a s d i s ti n c t o p ti o n s to p reve n t a m b i g u it y i n i n te r p re ti n g th e p o l iti c a l s it u a ti o n a s a n a p p rox i m a ti o n f o r tr a n s f o r m a ti o n s ys te m s . T h e re s u l t s c l e a r l y s h ow th e p e rc e n t a g e o f p l aye r s w h o re g a rd th e t wo d i s ti n c t o p ti o n s a s th e i r p r i m a r y re a s o n f o r s i g n i n g a n ove r s e a s d e a l . T h e p o l i ti c a l s i t u a ti o n e n c o m p a s s e s m a ny a s p e c t s of S o u th Af r i c a n l i f e , w h i c h i n c l u d e s u n s t a b l e e l e c tr i c i t y s u p p l y, d ro u g h t m a n a g e m e n t , e co n o m i c a n d p o l i ti c a l vo l a ti l i t y, p ro te s t s , a n d th e exc h a n g e r a te .

N o te th a t f o r p l aye r s e a r n i n g p o u n d s a n d e u ro s , a we a ke r l o c a l c u r re n c y i s a n a d va n t a g e .

Reason for leaving

44

If eligible, 87% of the respondents will consider playing international rugby for another countr y than South Africa.

M O N E Y MAK E S TH E WO R LD G O RO U N D D u r i n g i n te r v i ews , p l aye r s we re a s ke d w h a t th e th re e m a i n re a s o n s f o r p l ay i n g ove r s e a s we re , a n d a co m m o n a n s we r wa s , “ m o n ey, m o n ey, m o n ey ”. O n e S u p e r R u g by ve te r a n , w h o p l aye d i n Fr a n ce f o r t wo ye a r s , s a i d h e e a r n e d m o re m o n ey i n Fr a n ce th a n i n th e p re ce d i n g s eve n ye a r s h e h a d s p e n t p l ay i n g i n S o u th Af r i c a . S e n i o r S p r i n g b o k s , w h o we re o n ce o n e of fo u r o r f i ve p l aye r s i n th e i r p o s iti o n a t f r a n c h i s e l eve l , s a i d th e s e s it u a ti o n s o f te n l e a d s o m e of th e i r d i re c t co m p e tito r s , i f n o t th e m s e l f, to p u r s u e m o re g a m e ti m e a n d m o n ey ove r s e a s .

S o m e p l aye r s d i d , h oweve r, q u e s ti o n th e a c t u a l “ re t u r n o n e f f o r t ” f o r p l aye r s g o i n g ove r s e a s w ith o u t m a j o r d e a l s . “ F i r s tl y, I th i n k we ’re ove r- ro m a n ti c i s i n g g o i n g ove r s e a s . R u g by i s r u g by w h e reve r yo u g o – th e re w i l l a lways b e co a c h e s , i n j u r i e s , a n d we i rd te a m s e l e c ti o n s .

S o , b e s i d e s r u g by, w h a t a re yo u g o i n g to b e h a p py w i th?

T h e n , s e co n d l y, h ow m u c h m o n ey w i l l re a l l y m a ke i t wo r th yo u r w h i l e? I f yo u ’re a n E b e n Et ze b e th o r J o h a n G o o s e n , it m a ke s co m p l e te f i n a n c i a l s e n s e . B u t w h a t a b o u t eve r y o th e r To m , D i c k a n d H a r r y w h o a re of f e re d ave r a g e d e a l s? H ave th ey co n s i d e re d th e p u rc h a s e p owe r

% of players

Average age

Age range

1. Money

51%

26

21-30

2. Political situation

18%

26

21-30

3. Experience different cultures

10%

29

22-33

4. Transformation

9%

25

20-28

5. Game time

8%

24

21-29

6. None of the above

4%

N/A

N/A

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

of th e i r m o n ey ove r s e a s? Yo u m i g h t e a r n R 3 0 0 0 0 m o re p e r m o n th , b u t yo u h ave n ’ t ye t s ave d a ny o f i t , f l ew yo u r f o l k s ove r f o r a v i s i t , yo u h ave n ’ t c a l c u l a te d yo u r l i v i n g co s t s , a n d yo u m i g h t n o t eve n k n ow w h a t th e i m p a c t o f f o re i g n t a x w i l l b e o n yo u r ove r s e a s a d ve n t u re .”

T h e S u p e r R u g by ve te r a n m e n ti o n e d e a r l i e r a g re e d w i th th e l a t te r s e n ti m e n t re g a rd i n g t a xe s . “ I t ’s re a l l y i m p o r t a n t to ke e p i n m i n d th a t yo u ’l l co u g h u p m o re t a xe s , th e m o re e u ro s yo u e a r n .

O n ce yo u re a c h a ce r t a i n c a te g o r y of i n c o m e , yo u ’l l p ay va s tl y m o re t a xe s th a n w h a t yo u ’re u s e d to . I f yo u g o to Fr a n c e a n d yo u d o n ’ t n e g o ti a te yo u r c o n tr a c t a ro u n d th a t re a l i t y, yo u m i g h t e n d u p e a r n i n g m u c h l e s s th a n yo u h a d a n ti c i p a te d w h e n yo u f i r s t d e c i d e d to l e ave .”

S e e co s t o f l i v i n g co m p a r i s o n (n ex t p a g e) b e t we e n C a p e Tow n a n d L o n d o n , C a p e Tow n a n d To k yo , a n d C a p e Tow n a n d Paris (Source: Expatistan R e p o r t s , 2 01 9)

I N S E ARC H O F S EC U R IT Y W h i l e m o n ey w a s t h e i r p r i m a r y r e a s o n f o r c o n s i d e r i n g ove r s e a s d e a l s , m a ny p l aye r s s a i d t h e underlying motivation was their s e a r c h f o r s e c u r i t y f o r a l i f e a f te r r u g by. I n q u i te a f e w i n s t a n c e s , p l aye r s s a i d t h ey ’d s t ay i n S o u t h A f r i c a i f t h ey w e r e o f f e r e d t h r e e to f i ve -ye a r c o n t r a c t s l o c a l l y, eve n i f i t m e a n t f o r f e i t i n g e a r n i n g between 1 0% and 20% more ove r s e a s . T h e d i s r u p t i o n a n d uprooting of their families were i n c o nve n i e n c e s p l aye r s w o u l d g l a d l y avo i d i f t h e i r l o c a l c o n t r a c t s p r ov i d e d m o r e m e d i u m to l o n g te r m f i n a n c i a l s e c u r i t y.

I C AN S H OW YO U TH E WO R LD A n o l d e r s e g m e n t of p l aye r s co n s i d e re d g o i n g ove r s e a s to ex p e r i e n c e d i f f e re n t c u l t u re s a s th e i r p r i m a r y m o ti va ti o n f o r l e av i n g . T h e s e p l aye r s we re a l s o n o t co n s i d e r i n g l e av i n g S o u th Af r i c a n s h o re s i n d e f i n ite l y.

S H O RT-TER M CO NTR AC TS AN D P OO R CO M M U N I C ATI O N M o s t p l aye r s s p o ke n to we re d i s s a ti s f i e d w ith th e g e n e r a l tre n d o f of f e r i n g S o u th Af r i c a n f r a n c h i s e p l aye r s o n l y t wo -ye a r co n tr a c t s a t a ti m e . B u t , i f th e i r e m p l oye r s d i s c u s s e d th e i r f u t u re p ro s p e c t s w i th th e m e a r l i e r th a n j u s t a f ew m o n th s b e fo re th e i r co n tr a c t s ex p i re d , m a ny wo u l d p re f e r to s t ay i n S o u th Af r i c a to o pti n g i n to ove r s e a s co n tr a c t s “ f o r th e s a ke of h av i n g a j o b ”.

A n u m b e r of S p r i n g b o k s s a i d th a t , i n S o u th Af r i c a , th e i r f r a n c h i s e e m p l oye r s of te n wa it u n ti l th e l a s t m i n u te to co n tr a c t th e m . T h i s c a u s e s s tre s s a n d te n s i o n , “ b e c a u s e yo u ’ ve g o t a f a m i l y a n d k i d s ,” a n d th ey a re g e t ti n g of f e r s f ro m Eu ro p e , w h i c h a re u s u a l l y fo r th re e ye a r s a n d g i ve th e m s e c u r it y. “ S o , yo u s ay to yo u r s e l f, my g u ys a re t a k i n g f o reve r to t a l k to m e a b o u t my f u t u re , w h i l e Eu ro p e i s of f e r i n g m e m e d i u m -te r m s e c u r it y. W h a t d o yo u d o? W h a t c a n yo u d o? ” O th e r s p l aye r s a d d e d th a t b e t te r co m m u n i c a ti o n w i l l m a ke a d i f f e re n ce i n p l aye r s ’ d e c i s i o n to s t ay. A s p l aye r s , a l l th ey wa n t i s g o o d , h o n e s t c o m m u n i c a ti o n , a n d s e c u r it y f o r th e i r f a m i l i e s . “ I f a u n i o n i s n ’ t g o i n g to co n tr a c t yo u , th ey m i g h t a s we l l te l l yo u s o i n a d va n ce s o th a t yo u h ave e n o u g h ti m e to f i n d a n a l te r n a ti ve .”

P ro1 4 p l aye r s s h a re d th a t s e n ti m e n t , s ay i n g th a t n e g o ti a ti o n s f o r co n tr a c t ex te n s i o n s h ave to s t a r t e a r l i e r th a n i s th e n o r m l o c a l l y. “ Eve n i f it ’s n o t s i n ce re , a t l e a s t tr y to m a ke p l aye r s f e e l th a t yo u a c t u a l l y c a re a b o u t th e m .”

The d ef i ni t i ve s urvey o f p ro fess i o na l rug by p l ayers i n S o u t h Af r i ca

45

p laye r

COST OF LIVING (COL) DIFFERENCES (S o u rce: E xp atis t a n Re p o r t s , M a rch 2 01 9)

LONDON CO M PA R E D TO

CAPE TOWN

+132% PARIS CO M PA R E D TO

CAPE TOWN

+96.5% TOKYO CO M PA R E D TO

CAPE TOWN

+110.6% 46

CAPE TOWN, SA

LONDON, UK

DIFFERENCE

Food

100

179

+79%

Housing

100

253

+152%

Clothes

100

120

+19%

Transportation

100

302

+202%

Personal care

100

172

+72%

Entertainment

100

210

+110%

COMPLETE COL

100

232

+132% *

* To m a i n t a i n a s i m i l a r l i f e s t y l e i n L o n d o n t o t h a t i n C a p e To w n (e a r n i n g R 1 m i l l i o n p . a .) , a S o u t h A f r i c a n p l aye r w o u l d h ave t o e a r n R 2 3 2 0 0 0 0 i n t h e U K ( £ 1 2 5 2 3 8 p . a .) .

CAPE TOWN, SA

PARIS, FRANCE

DIFFERENCE

Food

100

206

+106%

Housing

100

218

+118%

Clothes

100

130

+30%

Transportation

100

196

+96%

Personal care

100

150

+50%

Entertainment

100

150

+75%

COMPLETE COL

100

197

+96.5% **

* * To m a i n t a i n a s i m i l a r l i f e s t y l e i n P a r i s t o t h a t i n C a p e To w n (e a r n i n g R 1 m i l l i o n p . a .) , a S o u t h A f r i c a n p l aye r w o u l d h ave t o e a r n R 1 9 6 5 0 0 0 i n F r a n c e (€ 1 2 3 8 07 p . a .) .

CAPE TOWN, SA

TOKYO, JAPAN

DIFFERENCE

Food

100

197

+97%

Housing

100

228

+127%

Clothes

100

84

-16%

Transportation

100

239

+139%

Personal care

100

181

+81%

Entertainment

100

202

+102%

COMPLETE COL

100

211

+110.6% ***

* * * To m a i n t a i n a s i m i l a r l i f e s t y l e i n To k yo t o t h a t i n C a p e To w n (e a r n i n g R 1 m i l l i o n p . a .) , a S o u t h A f r i c a n p l aye r w o u l d h ave t o e a r n R 2 1 0 6 0 0 0 i n J a p a n ( ¥ 1 6 7 3 3 6 0 2 p . a .) .

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

DOPING & SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCE OVERVI E W Th is se c tio n wa s o n ly co n d u c te d via o n lin e su r veys , a n d p laye r s we re give n th e a s su ra n ce th at th e su r vey wa s sp e cif ic a lly set u p to c a ptu re d at a a n o nym o u sly with o ut a ny way of tra ckin g a n swe r s b a ck to id e ntif ia b l e p e r so n s .

The d ef i ni t i ve s urvey o f p ro fess i o na l rug by p l ayers i n S o u t h Af r i ca

47

IN N U M B ERS

4in5 players feel they are well informed about doping in professional rugby, including what substances they are prohibited from taking

44% o f p l aye r s d o u b l e - c h e c k whether supplements and m e d i c i n e g i ve n t o t h e m by t h e i r a g e n t s o r e m p l oye r s we r e c l e a r e d f o r b a n n e d s u b s t a n ce s

13% of p l aye r s i n d ic ate d th at th ey m ig ht b e a d d i c te d to / d e p e n d e nt o n th e fo ll owi n g : sl e e p m e d ic ati o n , a l co h o l , re c re ati o n a l d r u g s (li ke m a rij u a n a), a n d to b a cco p ro d u c t s

O n ly

one player i n d ic ated t h at h e h a d tested pos it ive fo r t h e u se of ba n n ed s u bst a n ces

48

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

AD D I C TI O N TO PAI N M ED I C ATI O N

N o o n e a d m it te d to b e i n g a d d i c te d to p a i n m e d i c a ti o n . O n e re ce n tl y re ti re d p ro f e s s i o n a l r u g by p l aye r s a i d th a t p l aye r s o f te n o n l y b e co m e awa re of a n a d d i c ti o n to p a i n m e d i c a ti o n a f te r th ey h ave re ti re d : “A s a r u g b y p l a y e r, y o u a l m o s t always manage some sor t of physical pain with drugs . Players of ten don’t take these drugs for recreational purposes , but, u n k n o w i n g l y, y o u r b o d y c a n n o t go without them . While players might not acknowledge the d e p e n d e n c y, i t i s t h e r e . Yo u only become aware of an actual addiction once you don’t have to take them from game to game, b ut yo u s till c r ave p a i n d r u g s .”

PRO FI LI N G TH E DO PERS

T h re e p l aye r s a d m i t te d to h av i n g d e l i b e r a te l y t a ke n banned performance-enhancing substances without getting caught, while four answered t h e q u e s t i o n ( “ y e s ”, “ n o ”, o r “don’t want to answer the question”) by selec ting not to answer the question.

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T h e 3 1 - y e a r- o l d C u r r i e C u p F i r s t Division playe r had only be e n a professional rugby playe r for six years , indic ating a ver y late entr y into the professional game. He has no career plan for a l i f e a f t e r r u g b y, e v e n t h o u g h he has at least one ter tiar y or professional qualification. Should h e get th e oppor tunit y to play professional rugby overseas , transformation would be his primar y reason for leaving .

O f th e f o u r p l aye r s w h o a n s we re d th e q u e s ti o n by s e l e c ti n g n o t to a n s we r th e q u e s ti o n :

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T h e th re e “d o p e r s ” (a g e d 2 3 , 2 8 , a n d 3 1 ) s h a re d s o m e tr a i t s : »

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T h ey h ave n eve r p l aye d a t t h e S u p e r R u g by o r P r o1 4 l eve l (highest level respectively played were SuperSpor t Challenge, Currie Cup Premier Division, and Currie C u p F i r s t D i v i s i o n) .

A l l th re e f e l t th a t th ey wo u l d f a i l a r e f e r e e s ’ exa m .

A l l th re e we re a c u te l y (r a te d 5 ) awa re of h av i n g to s t a r t a c a re e r a f te r r u g by.

O n e p l aye r wa s wo r k i n g towa rd s a te r ti a r y o r p rof e s s i o n a l q u a l i f i c a ti o n ,

w h i l e t wo h ave a l re a d y a t t a i n e d d e g re e s o r d i p l o m a s .

Two p l aye r s s o l e l y tr u s te d th e i r a g e n t s a n d /o r e m p l oye r s to c h e c k a l l medicine or supplements for banned substances.

O n e p l aye r i n d i c a te d a n a d d i c ti o n to s l e e p m e d i c i n e , w h i l e a n o th e r a d m it te d to b e i n g a d d i c te d to to b a cco a n d a l co h o l .

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T h re e h a d n eve r p l aye d a t th e S u p e r R u g by o r P ro1 4 l eve l .

A l l f o u r i n d i c a te d m a r ke r s of m e n t a l h e a l th i s s u e s i n th e f o l l ow i n g c a te g o r i e s : • P l aye r 1 (a n x i e t y, d i s tre s s , s l e e p i n g d i s t u r b a n c e) • P l aye r 2 (d i s tre s s , s l e e p i n g d i s t u r b a n c e) • P l aye r 3 (a n x i e t y, d i s tre s s , d e p re s s i o n , sleeping disturbance, a d ve r s e e a ti n g /n u tr iti o n a l b e h av i o u r) • P l aye r 4 (d e p re s s i o n).

Two p l aye r s we re wo r k i n g towa rd s te r ti a r y o r p rof e s s i o n a l q u a l i f i c a ti o n s , a n d t wo d i d n o t h ave a ny q u a l i f i c a ti o n s , n o r d i d th ey i n te n d to a t t a i n a ny.

T h re e p l aye r s a d m it te d to b e i n g a d d i c te d to s l e e p m e d i c a ti o n a n d /o r a l c o h o l .

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AGENTS

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OVERVI E W T h i s s e c ti o n h a s b e e n co m p i l e d f ro m p e r s o n a l i n te r v i ews o n l y.

Fo r m a ny p l aye r s , th e re l a ti o n s h i p w i th th e i r a g e n t (s) c a n b e s t b e d e s c r i b e d a s f r a g i l e . Fo r a m i n o r i t y w h o d o h ave ve r y g o o d re l a ti o n s w i th th e i r a g e n t s , i t o f te n i nvo l ve s m o re th a n th e i r f o r m a l b u s i n e s s a f f i l i a ti o n . Fro m a n a g e n t ’s p e r s p e c ti ve , it wo u l d a p p e a r to b e ve r y d i f f i c u l t to a p p e a s e a l l c l i e n t s , s i n ce ve r y f ew p l aye r s h ave th e s a m e ex p e c t a ti o n s o f w h a t th e i r a g e n t s a re m e a n t to b e d o i n g f o r th e m , r a n g i n g f ro m j u s t n e g o ti a ti n g a co n tr a c t to s o u rc i n g f re e f u r n i t u re and appliances.

P l aye r s w h o we re re a l l y s a ti s f i e d of te n s h a re d t wo tr a i t s : F i r s tl y, th ey d i d n o t f o s te r a ny a d d i ti o n a l , ex tre m e , o r ex tr ava g a n t “ l i f e s t y l e ” ex p e c t a ti o n s o f th e i r a g e n t s , o n l y ex p e c ti n g of th e m to n e g o ti a te o r “ f i g h t ” f o r a s tro n g co n tr a c t .

S e co n d l y, th ey h a d ve r y g o o d p e r s o n a l re l a ti o n s h i p s w i th th e i r a g e n t s o u t s i d e of r u g by, f ro m b e i n g f r i e n d s to j o i n tl y ow n i n g re a l e s t a te . S e n i o r S p r i n g b o k s re i te r a te d th a t p l aye r s wa n t a re l a ti o n s h i p w i th th e i r a g e n t a n d th a t i t ’s of te n n o t “ th i n g s ”.

W h e re p l aye r ex p e c t a ti o n s we n t b eyo n d c o n tr a c t n e g o ti a ti o n s , th ey o f te n f e l t l e t d ow n o r m i s l e d by p ro m i s e s of “ n i ce to h ave s ” o r “a d d - o n s ” n o t m a te r i a l i s i n g .

T h e s e a re o f te n c o m m e rc i a l b e n e f it s a g e n t s u s e to co nv i n ce p l aye r s to s i g n w i th th e m , c re a ti n g ex p e c t a ti o n s b eyo n d th e n e g o ti a ti o n t a b l e . P l aye r s

s u g g e s te d yo u n g s te r s e n te r i n g th e p rof e s s i o n a l s ce n e s h o u l d h ave a cce s s to a t l e a s t t wo th i n g s : k n ow i n g th a t a g e n t co m m i s s i o n s a re n e g o ti a b l e a n d n o t s e t a t th e i n d u s tr y s t a n d a rd of 7. 5 % ; a n d o n ce a co n tr a c t w ith a n a g e n t h a s b e e n d r a f te d , p l aye r s s h o u l d h ave s e n i o r p l aye r s o r a b o d y th ey co u l d a p p ro a c h to h e l p th e m d o a “ s a n it y c h e c k ” b e f o re s i g n i n g .

In general, South African players are satisfied with the accreditation process new agents have to go through before e n t e r i n g t h e i n d u s t r y.

S o m e p l aye r s f e l t th e re a re to o m a ny a g e n t s wo r k i n g i n th e S o u th Af r i c a n m a r ke t , a n d a l s o th a t s o m e a g e n t s tr y to s e r v i ce to o m a ny p l aye r s a t o n ce . A n u m b e r o f p l aye r s a d vo c a te d f o r s tro n g e r re g u l a ti o n of a g e n t co n d u c t , w h i l s t o th e r s s a i d a g e n t co m m i s s i o n should be performance based and n o t m e re l y b a s e d o n “ n e g o ti a ti n g a p i e ce of p a p e r w h e re a f te r th ey n eve r t a l k to yo u a g a i n ”.

A f ew S p r i n g b o k s q u e s ti o n e d s o m e a g e n t s ’ m o ti ve s w h e n m ov i n g p l aye r s ove r s e a s . “ I f yo u c a n d eve l o p yo u r g a m e a t a Eu ro p e a n c l u b a n d th e n co m e b a c k to u s a b e t te r, m o re m a t u re p l aye r, th a t ’s f i n e . B u t I b e co m e s ce pti c a l w h e n a g e n t s u s e th a t a s a n exc u s e f o r m ov i n g yo u n g p l aye r s a b ro a d – th e re ’s n o g u a r a n te e th a t Eu ro p e c a n d eve l o p a yo u n g s te r b e t te r th a n s ay S u p e r R u g by c a n , a n d I ’ ve h e a rd th e d eve l o p m e n t a r g u m e n t way to o m a ny ti m e s f o r it to h o l d i t s c re d i b i l it y.”

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I N A N UTS H ELL , TH E S E AR E TH E PR I MARY CO N C ER N S AN D CO N S I D ER ATI O N S VO I C ED BY PL AY ERS:

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A n e e d to e d u c a te yo u n g p l aye r s a b o u t th e ro l e , va l u e , a n d p i t f a l l s o f h av i n g a n a g e n t

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I m p o r t a n ce o f a l i g n i n g a g e n t s ’ g o a l s w i th l o c a l i n d u s tr y g o a l s

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C re a te s ys te m s to e n s u re a g e n t s h ave th e n e ce s s a r y s k i l l s a n d a c u m e n to d e l i ve r o n th e i r u n d e r t a k i n g s

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Ad e q u a te q u a l i t y c h e c k s i n p l a c e to a c c e p t a cc re d i te d a g e n t s

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H i g h l i g h ti n g th e b e s t a g e n t s /a g e n c i e s

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A n e e d f o r m e n to r s h i p a n d g u i d a n c e i n va r i o u s s t a g e s o f p l aye r s ’ c a re e r s

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P l aye r p o a c h i n g by a g e n t s

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R e a l re l a ti o n s h i p s s h a p i n g h a p py p a r tn e r s h i p s b e t we e n p l aye r and agent

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Ag e n t s tr y i n g to s e r v i ce to o m a ny c l i e n t s

Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

EMPLOYERS AND THEIR STRATEGY

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“ W h e n I wa s a p l aye r d u r i n g th e g o l d e n ye a r s o f W P R u g by i n th e m i d - e i g hti e s , I w a s a l w ay s s u r p r i s e d wh e n p e o p l e s a i d th at a l a r g e p a r t o f P r ov i n c e’s s u c c e s s wa s at tr i b u t a b l e to th e U n i o n’s p r e s i d e nt a n d b o a r d r o o m l e a d e r s h i p . I n my i n e x p e r i e n c e d m i n d , wi n n i n g c o m p e titi o n s w a s a b o u t th e g r e at p l aye r s i n th e te a m , th e s tr o n g te a m s p i r it a n d th e good coaching and medical s t af f th at s u p p o r te d u s . I t wa s o n l y l ate r th at I r e a l i s e d th at o u r s u c c e s s o n th e f i e l d wa s d i r e c tl y l i n ke d to s p e c if i c o f f-th e -f i e l d f a c to r s , l i ke th e s tr o n g l e a d e r s h i p f r o m th e to p o f th e o r g a n i s ati o n a n d h a r d wo r k o f p e o p l e w h o n eve r to u c h e d th e b a l l . N ow a d ay s , I ’m eve n m o r e c o nv i n c e d o f th e c r u c i a l r o l e th at o f f-th e f i e l d d e c i s i o n s p l ay to c r e ate a h e a lthy (o r d e s tr u c ti ve) e nv i r o n m e nt with i n w h i c h a r u g by te a m c a n b e s u c c e s s f u l (o r n ot).”

– FAFFA K N O E T ZE , Springbok #553 and Chairman o f M y P l aye r s

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Th e d e f initive survey o f professiona l rugby players in South Af ri c a

OVERVI E W P l aye r s we re a s ke d a b o u t th e i r co n c e r n s , u n d e r s t a n d i n g , i nvo l ve m e n t , a n d /o r i n c l u s i o n i n th e s tr a te g i c d e c i s i o n s a n d o r g a n i s a ti o n a l l i f e of th e i r e m p l oye r s . N o t s u r p r i s i n g l y, a l m o s t a l l p l aye r s i n te r v i ewe d we re o b l i v i o u s to th e co m m e rc i a l re a l i ti e s s h a p i n g th e e b b a n d f l ow of th e i r i n d u s tr y.

H oweve r, th ey d i d m a ke a s tro n g a p p e a l f o r g re a te r tr a n s p a re n c y ; i n s o m e c a s e s w i th th e d e s i re to h e l p s h a p e th e i r o r g a n i s a ti o n s f o r th e b e t te r, a n d i n m o s t c a s e s j u s t to re d u ce th e u n ce r t a i n t y “ b o a rd ro o m g y m n a s ti c s ” of te n c re a te o n th e p l ay i n g f i e l d . O th e r s tro n g th e m e s to co m e o u t of th e i n te r v i ews a re th a t S o u th Af r i c a n r u g by e n titi e s d o n o t f a c to r p l aye r s o r p l aye r we l l b e i n g i n to th e i r d e c i s i o n s .

All playe rs we re in favour of greate r transparency at the management level , especially among Springboks who have playe d unde r the curre nt SA Direc tor of R u g b y, R a s s i e E r a s m u s , a s o n e p l a y e r explaine d: “ Rugby is a business , it should be transparent, and ever yone – including us playe rs as e mploye es – should know w h a t g o e s o n . We d o n ’ t h a v e t o k n o w w h o m y o u ’ r e s i g n i n g , b u t w e ’d l i k e t o know what you ’re working on and what the strategy for the team and the organisation is . This gives employe es conf idence in t h e i r e m p l o y e r. R a s s i e d o e s t h i s a t t h e team level – h e allows playe rs to sit in on coaches’ me etings . Any thing they discuss is in the open .”

W h i l e s o m e p l aye r s h ave n o d e s i r e to k n o w o r b e i nvo l ve d i n w h a t happens in the boardroom, “unless i t m a ke s l i f e d i f f i c u l t f o r m e a s a p l aye r w h o h a s k i d s a n d a f a m i l y to l o o k a f te r ”, s o m e a d vo c a te f o r p l aye r s to a t l e a s t h ave a n u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e c o r p o r a te s t r u c t u r e o f t h e i r e m p l oye r s .

S o m e S p r i n g b o k s s a i d t h ey c o u l d t h e n d e c i d e to n o t f o c u s o n t h e s e t h i n g s . T h e i r j o b i s to p l ay r u g by, b u t , i n r e a l i t y, a d m i n i s t r a t i ve i s s u e s d o f i l te r d o w n a n d d o h ave a n i m p a c t , e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e w ay t h i n g s are set up in South Africa with u n i o n s a n d p o l i t i c s . “ Tr a n s p a r e n c y i s key. I f yo u ’r e g o i n g to ke e p q u i e t [a b o u t b o a r d r o o m c o n f l i c t s o r b u s i n e s s d i s t r e s s] a n d ke e p eve r y t h i n g b e h i n d c l o s e d d o o r s , t h a t ’s w h e n i t a f f e c t s p l aye r s eve n more, because we star t wondering what the impact of these rumblings a n d r u m o u r s a r e g o i n g to b e o n o u r c o n t r a c t s a n d f u t u r e .”

T h e d e s i re to k n ow i s n o t l i m i te d to d i s a g re e m e n t s o r th e p e rce i ve d i n a b i l it y to c o n s i s te n tl y m a ke sound business decisions, but also “ th e g o o d s t u f f ”. “ B e c a u s e w h a t we p l aye r s a c t u a l l y h e a r, i s o n l y th e n e g a ti ve s t u f f. A n d th o s e a re a l s o th e th i n g s th a t i n f l u e n ce th e 1 8 -ye a r- o l d p l aye r ’s d e c i s i o n to p l ay r u g by p ro f e s s i o n a l l y i n S o u th Af r i c a o r to eve n p l ay r u g by a t a l l .”

C o n s i d e r i n g th e S o u th Af r i c a n r u g by l a n d s c a p e , p l aye r s u n d e r s t a n d th a t th e d o m e s ti c s ce n e of te n i n c ite s p o l iti c a l co n f l i c t i n th e b o a rd ro o m . “ B u t we ’d m u c h r a th e r h ave th e C EO of th e u n i o n ex p l a i n i n g th o s e th i n g s to u s b e f o re we h ave to re a d a b o u t i t i n th e m e d i a . T h a t i n i t s e l f h a s a n e g a ti ve i m p a c t , e s p e c i a l l y i f i t i s a re p e titi o n o f a n u m b e r o f eve n t s .”

O n e key a re a w h e re p l aye r s wo u l d l i ke to h ave m o re c l a r it y o n , i s b u d g e t a r y c o n s tr a i n t s , b e c a u s e “budget, budget, budget isn’t re a l l y a co nv i n c i n g ex p l a n a ti o n f o r w h e n th e te a m c a n n o t h ave ce r t a i n th i n g s , o r w h e n we n e g o ti a te co n tr a c t s . We ’re a d u l t s , a n d we u n d e r s t a n d th a t th e i n d u s tr y i s f a c i n g d i f f i c u l t ti m e s , s o a t l e a s t e n tr u s t u s w ith th e re l eva n t i n f o r m a ti o n s o th a t we c a n u n d e r s t a n d w h a t ’s g o i n g o n .”

T h e by- p ro d u c t s of a l a c k of tr a n s p a re n c y a n d p o o r co m m u n i c a ti o n a re d i s tr u s t of e m p l oye r s , u n c e r t a i n t y a b o u t co n tr a c t s a n d f u t u re s , a n d a s e n s e th a t p l aye r s re a l l y d o n ’ t m a t te r th a t m u c h . “ B u t th e s o l u ti o n to th e s e i s s u e s i s n ’ t th a t d i f f i c u l t to co m e u p w i th : B e h o n e s t , b e o p e n , a n d s h ow u s th a t yo u c a re .”

P l aye r- c e n te re d n e s s wa s s o m e th i n g a l l p l aye r s i n te r v i ewe d , f e l t wa s l a c k i n g i n th e S o u th Af r i c a n r u g by l a n d s c a p e , a n d w h e n c o m b i n e d w ith th e p e rce pti o n s th ey h ave of th e i r e m p l oye r s , it u n d e r l i n e s o n e of th e s tro n g e s t s e n ti m e n t s th e d o m e s ti c b o d y of r u g by p l aye r s h o l d : “ T h e re i s ro o m f o r i m p rove m e n t , a n d we ’d l i ke to b e p a r t of th a t p ro ce s s .”

O n e S u p e r R u g by p l aye r w ith Eu ro p e a n c l u b r u g by ex p e r i e n ce re l aye d th e f o l l ow i n g : “ I wa s f o r t u n a te to s p e n d ti m e a t [ Eu ro p e a n c l u b X ] . I s aw w h a t a n e f f e c ti ve u n i o n co u l d l o o k l i ke .

I ’m s u re th ey ’ ve h a d th e i r u p s a n d d ow n s ove r a n u m b e r of ye a r s , b u t f ro m w h a t I s aw, s tr a te g y a n d d e c i s i o n s a re a l l a b o u t th e i r p l aye r s ’ p e r f o r m a n c e a n d a b o u t ke e p i n g th e m h a p py.”

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“Rugb y i s no t l if e; i t ’ s a ga me. I t ’ s a c a r eer choice f or t en y e a r s , if y ou’r e l uck y. Y ou’r e mo s t l ik ely going t o e x i t t he indu s t r y h av ing t o do s ome t hing comp l e t ely dif f er en t.

V e r y f e w gu y s r em a in in t he indu s t r y. B u t t he indu s t r y gi v e s y ou a good p l at f or m t o b r a nd ou t w i t h t he e x p e r ience s y ou ge t he r e, a nd t h at c a nno t be r ep l ic at ed a n y w her e el s e.”

Currie Cup c a ptain with gra d uate q ualif ic atio ns , Europ ea n exp e rie n ce a n d co rp o rate exp osure