With Moana Pasifika's impending loss following the Rebels' collapse, the sprawling Southern Hemisphere empire we once knew feels further away than ever. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
Thrice before did the Lions come close to lifting the Super Rugby title, and on all three occasions, "The Pride" suffered heartbreak and anguish.
Ah, yes — 2016, 2017, and 2018.
These were the years when the men in the famous red-and-white hoops ruled not only South Africa, but arguably the most prestigious club rugby competition in the world. Don’t be deceived by what the Europeans argue regarding their leagues and pan-continental championships; there was a time when Super Rugby was, without question, the best competition on the planet.
Every game felt like a season in itself. There were stakes and consequences, and a profound sense of history in every tackle.
Admittedly, it wasn't always perfect. It would have been that much better had Australian and South African franchises done more to wrestle the trophy away from the stacked Kiwi franchises that ruled the tournament ad nauseam. Nonetheless, when South Africa left — or was booted, depending on who you believe — in the early 2020s, there was a genuine sense of loss.
By then, the downturn was already established.
The tournament had become bloated and convoluted. It was no longer the superior Super 12 or the evolved Super 14, but rather a conference-heavy slog that relied more on league-table mathematics than pure strength-versus-strength. The competition was at its zenith when every side played one another and there was no doubt about the hierarchy.
A wave of nostalgia washes over me every so often, when I recall the heady rise of the Lions, the Jaguares’ journey to the final, or the iconic 2010 Soweto final between the Bulls and the Stormers. I think of Bryan Habana’s last-gasp try in the 2007 championship clash, the joy of the Lions toppling the Chiefs in Hamilton, or the Sharks defying the form book to survive every play-off hurdle in Australasia, only to fall at the final post. I can still rage at the supremacy of the Crusaders. I miss waking up on Friday and Saturday mornings to rugby.
The United Rugby Championship (URC) — undoubtedly South African rugby’s future — sometimes lacks those baked-in rivalries by comparison. At times, the URC feels forced, attempting to make South Africans care about Zebre v Benetton, or the Dragons v Ospreys. I have an inkling that there are supporters abroad who feel the same apathy when confronted with our local South African derbies.
Nevertheless, it saddens me to see Super Rugby facing yet another revamp following the news that Moana Pasifika will fold after the current season. Only a few seasons ago, the Melbourne Rebels met the same fate.
The "Super" era is flickering out, leaving us with memories of a standard of rugby we may never see again. Despite the blow, there is optimism Down Under that a stronger, more watchable product can be produced.
I have my doubts.
The market already seems to be oversaturated; much like the economics that forced South Africa's exit, it may simply be that the regional math no longer adds up.
Ultimately, the impending loss of Moana Pasifika — coming so soon after the collapse of the Rebels and the departure of South African sides — feels like more than just a boardroom failure; it feels like the final flickering of an old flame.
There was a time when Super Rugby was a sprawling, ambitious empire that stretched across oceans and time zones, fueled by the belief that the best should simply play the best. The URC will continue to provide a high level of rugby and a steady path forward but it will never quite replicate that specific brand of Southern Hemisphere fever.
SA rugby has its future in the North, and we should embrace it, but we can’t be blamed for occasionally looking over our shoulders at the giant we left behind.