Why Aussies hate touring SA

Ben Tune talks about the hardships endured on a typical tour of South Africa.

“I am sure my colleagues would agree that South Africa is by far the hardest place in world rugby to tour and return home with a win.

“The physical demands of travel and playing at altitude, however, are nothing compared with the mental demands the South Africans place on a touring international rugby team.

“The South Africans’ main arsenal is mental and emotional intimidation. It is considered a national sport in a society dominated by alpha males.”

“On Test match day, the bus trip from the hotel to the game is arguably the most intimidating experience you could have the pleasure of witnessing. For about the last kilometre of the journey, the streets are lined with fanatical South Africans who seem to enjoy thumping the team bus with their fists and yelling abuse at the occupants.

“When you finally get to the ground, you then face the prospect of running the saliva gauntlet from the bus to the relative safety of the players’ entrance. The mad dash entails dodging the occasional spit ball, as well as some entertaining abuse.

“Although this might sound trivial, the by-product of this relentless attention means that you are concentrating on everything but the game you are about to play. Once inside the stadium you can finally start concentrating on the game and, believe it or not, running out in front of 50 000 to 60 000 confined South Africans actually feels great compared with what you have had to endure making it to the stadium.”

“I have played in a World Cup final and watched live AFL (Aussie Rules) and NRL (Rugby League) grand finals, as well as a State of Origin at the Lang Park, and none of those arenas compares with the noise and fervour generated by a packed Ellis Park, Loftus, King’s Park or Newlands when the Springboks are playing.

“My point is that if you can win a Test match in South Africa then you are mentally, physically and emotionally able to beat anybody anywhere.”