What makes Rugby Union so special?

What makes Rugby Union so special?

In light of all the recent action on telly, referring to the sporting channels and not to the 50 shades of cinema,  it got me wondering… What makes rugby better than all the rest? 

We've just had the Australian open, Africa Cup of Nations, West Indian Tour to SA and as we speak our sleeping habits are being ruined by the Cricket World Cup down under. And the answer is quite simple, NOTHING! Nothing makes rugby more attractive or better to watch and it most certainly doesn't relax you at all.

So what’s the point then I ask myself? Why do most South Africans enjoy nothing more than a good North South derby with the flames dancing in the background and the neighbours complaining about not being invited when they note your smoke signals or the sweet aroma of the meat meeting the grill? This brain teaser has been haunting me for longer than I would like to admit but I believe I have stumbled across what might just be the answer. 

Friday afternoon (in my lunch hour of course) I opened my you tube account and just grazed through some of my favoured rugby highlights. It started out with Schalk Burger hammering Fourie du Preez, went through some of Sebastian Chabal’s biggest hits and it all came together that Saturday afternoon

when I watched Saracens taking on Bath. More in particular I noted with what absolute disregard Jacques Burger defends the cause of the so called “Wolf Pack”.  

It struck me!!!! 

Rugby more often than not creates heroes. Heroes that will echo through time and will hold trophies high above their heads. Hard men that would make any cavalry proud. In recent times, the All Blacks brought us Richie McCaw, Australia brought us John Eales and George Smith, South Africa gave us Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha and Juan Smith. From Le Blues we’ve seen men like Thierry Dusautoir and Fabien Pelous. The Brittish and Irish played their part with names like Keith Wood, Brian O’Driscall, Martin Johnson, Andrew Sheridan, Martyn Williams and Colin Charvis. These are all men considered heroes and rugby gods in own right. Not only are they known for their skill and physical attributes, but for their leadership, commitment and passion for the jersey they wore. These are all men that promotes the game of Rugby Union. AND THEN…

Then there are freak shows like Brian Lima, Schalk Burger, Jacques Burger, Jerry Collins, Phil Waugh, Jacques Potgieter and you’ve guessed it, Sebastian Chabal! These are men that only come round once in a life time, and as you can imagine the long-levity of their careers are quite limited.  They do not only promote the game of Rugby Union but in fact sell it, by having no regard for their own bodies and by mastering the art of crashing through their own pain limits. This makes rugby what it is today and why most South Africans prefer watching the game on Saturday nights instead of hitting the clubs.

 Now you might seem to think that the beauty of it all lies in the ability to run through a brick wall made up by flesh and bone (better known as rucks & mauls) but that’s not it, the true beauty lies in the fact that while they are beasts among men on the pitch, they remain absolute gentlemen outside the four chalked lines that form the battlefield. O’ what a pleasure it would be to witness the catastrophe of a loose trio made up by the following gentlemen, Jacques Burger, Jacques Potgieter and Schalk Burger….