The Champion Tour - a great initiative

South African rugby enjoyed a great season in 2009, with the Springboks beating the British Lions, clean sweeping the All Blacks on the way to Vodacom Tri-Nations glory (including both the Freedom Cup and Mandela Plate) and the Springboks Sevens team claiming their first IRB World Sevens Series title. These titles, plus the Vodacom Bulls’ triumph in last season’s Vodacom Super 14 allied with the Springboks winning the 2007 World Cup in France has seen the trophy cabinet at SARU filled to capacity.

With South Africa holding every trophy they could possibly win on the rugby field, SA Rugby has decided to commission the country wide Champion Tour. All the trophies in SA’s possession will be on display so that local rugby fans can share in the spoils of South Africa’s success. Accompanying the international trophies will be the Absa Currie Cup, Absa Currie Cup First Division trophy and the Vodacom Cup.

The trophies will be displayed in a 15,5 metre long trailer, manufactured by Henred Fruehauf in Bellville South. A stage, just short of eight meters long, will be able to fold down through the use of hydraulics, with the roof lifting so that it would be possible to broadcast live events from the stage in the future.

The idea grew through a seed that was originally found in Australia. SARU’s Jenny Wentzel was attending a Vodacom Tri-Nations game in Brisbane several years ago when she happened upon a trailer bearing the Australian Rugby Union insignia and curiosity guided her inside. She was greeted by the Bledisloe Cup, Rugby World Cup and other trophies the Wallabies had in their possession at the time. When the Springboks defeated the British Lions to take the Castle South Africa 2009 Lions Series Trophy, Jenny said to herself: ‘Imagine doing the same’. She then made contact with the ARU who forwarded photographs to her of a bigger version of the caravan she saw. This was then discussed with colleagues at SARU, and that is how the idea started rolling.

The 46-day tour will visit each of South Africa’s 14 provincial unions, with SARU working closely with each union to ensure as many people as possible are able to experience the Champion Tour as it does its 7 000 km journey across the country. Information about referee recruitment, the Absa BokSmart project, regional season ticket information, the different trophy histories, Sevens and Woman’s rugby will be available.

The Champion Tour will be monitored 24 hours a day, so any interested fan can go onto the SARU website and found out when the Tour will arrive in their home town or city. Intrepid supporters will have the opportunity to win prizes and stay updated via social network websites such as Twitter and Facebook.

While we are all a little sceptical of marketing drives such as these, but this represents an ideal chance to check out the trophys on display and revel in SA rugby’s success. Far too often (this author included), we are extremely negative towards our national teams, regardless of sport, so let’s celebrate when celebration is due.