The excitement about the 2016 Rio Olympics across the world is palpable, even if there is mild concern about the spread of Zika, the mysterious virus that sounds like a distant cousin to our 2010 World Cup mascot, Zakumi.
Organisers keep insisting that athletes and spectators will be fine by the time the Games start in August, but the regular updates about new victims doesn’t help the paranoia.
One can only hope the situation is under control by the time the world’s best flock to South America.
In many ways, the combination of Brazil, the Olympic spirit and national pride sounds almost too heady a combination, and the lure of it all seems to have attracted global stars that you wouldn’t have associated with the Olympic dream, say a year or two ago.
Out of the blue, the tight-knit Springbok Sevens unit has suddenly found itself bloated by the influx of 15-man code veterans, players who have reached the pinnacle of the full code, which is rather baffling.
The accepted practice is that emerging players who haven’t cracked the big time in 15-man rugby go to Sevens to work on their overall skill set, gain international experience, while learning to deal with short but searing bursts in a pressure-cooker environment every other week.
It’s a great finishing school, and the senior Springbok side – as well as many other, full international teams – have benefited hugely from acquiring well-rounded players graduating from that excellent finishing school.
The syllabus this year, however, seems to be in reverse. Suddenly, the likes of Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Juan de Jongh and Ryan Kankowski are dabbling in the Sevens arena.
Hougaard even has a fresh national Sevens contract, but one that still allows him to nip across the sea to earn some pounds in the English Premiership.
De Jongh was in midfield for the Stormers last night, but could yet be among those who take the flight to Rio later in the year.
One wonders where his loyalties will lie if he has a stormer of a Super Rugby season, and the next Springbok coach picks him forin his squad for the Rugby Championship.
It is extremely awkward, but that is the problem when you encourage double-dipping.
It gives a chosen few the best of both worlds. One must question what it does for the other cogs in the wheel, the diehards who secured qualification to the greatest show on earth, and who have dedicated years to the cause.
Not everyone can get on the bus to the land of sun, sea and occasional sickness.
Are they expected to just stand aside, and allow the likes of Habana to try to complete a full set of honours, only to dance off into the sunset as soon as the Olympic torch leaves the favelas?
It is akin to a Currie Cup star suddenly registering for a year of university study, so he can sample the delights of Varsity Cup rugby – earn his pink shorts – and then deregister once he has ticked it off the bucket list.
Of course, there are also no guarantees either that 15-man stars will thrive in sevens.
The lesser numbers expose frailties in fitness, finishing and, most important, in defence.
Even the outrageously talented Sonny Bill Williams was found wanting in his debut tournament recently, to illustrate further the immensity of the mental shift.
One wonders just whose decision it was to shuffle a flush Sevens pack, in this most sacred of seasons.
It may be fantastic PR to have Habana and company in tow, but what does it do to relations in the dressing-room?
It is yet another instance in South African rugby that demands decisive leadership.
But with Jurie Roux juggling 32 million problems of his own, and Oregan Hoskins dutifully silent, perhaps we shouldn’t hold our breath for any authority.
What is very clear, though, is, Zika or not, someone will be feeling sick come August…
– THE SUNDAY TRIBUNE