Springbok great Naas Botha hopes Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is just the beginning of a return to the traditional international tours that once defined the sport.
The All Blacks are set to face the Stormers, Sharks and Vodacom Bulls before the first Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park Test on 22 August. The tourists then take on the Lions before Tests at Cape Town Stadium and FNB Stadium are followed by the the fourth and final Test in Baltimore, USA.
Botha believes the format captures something modern rugby has been missing.
MORE: Sacha ‘all chips in if Boks want to win by 15’
“I just absolutely love it,” Botha said on his Drop In podcast. “I love New Zealand touring South Africa. I love South Africa touring New Zealand, touring Australia, even touring the northern hemisphere.
“I think the 1951-52 tour was an extremely long tour for South Africa in Europe [31 matches were played]. And I think the 1937 Springbok tour to New Zealand was also quite a lengthy tour. A big number of games were played on that tour [29, including those in Australia].”
Botha acknowledged that today’s packed rugby calendar makes extended tours difficult, but believes the concept should become a regular feature of the international game.
“I would have loved to have seen either Argentina touring Australia or Australia touring Argentina [at the same time as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry]. In two years’ time, South Africa should go to New Zealand. And then two years after that, they might go to Australia.”
MORE: All Blacks warned – You don’t know what’s coming
The former Springbok flyhalf said touring teams create opportunities that many professional players would otherwise never experience.
“There are so many fantastic rugby players, but they’re not all going to play international rugby,” he said.
“And I still think of every single rugby player that’s playing at a certain level, it’s on his wish list to play against an international side. Now, the only way he’s going to be able to do that is if there is a tour, otherwise it’s not possible.”
ALSO: Dobbo amped for ‘lekker’ All Blacks occasion
Botha added that the club fixtures are just as important for supporters as they are for the players.
“That’s why any British & Irish Lions tour will always be a big success. That non-international player gets an opportunity to play against an international team and all the franchise supporters get an opportunity to see their team play against an international team.”
FREE DIGI-MAG: All Blacks tour special
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Naas wants rugby tours to stay appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Springbok great Naas Botha hopes Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is just the beginning of a return to the traditional international tours that once defined the sport.
The post Naas wants rugby tours to stay appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
