South Africa: Inside rugby’s greatest production factory

It is the simplest explanation and, perhaps, the least satisfying one.

South Africa has one of the world’s largest rugby-playing populations. But those inside the game insist that is only the starting point.

“I think what helps first, obviously, is you need to have a high number of participation,” says Rito Hlungwani, forwards coach at Cape Town-based United Rugby Championship (URC) side Stormers.

“I started playing rugby when the Springboks won the 1995 World Cup. Then if you look at it now, we’ve won two World Cups in a row, so that has increased participation across racial boundaries.

“That has really increased the number of kids playing rugby.”

Participation alone, however, is not enough.

“What really drives it is the mentality,” says Hlungwani.

“People always talk about the physicality of South African rugby players. Kids these days, that’s all they want to be like. They want to be like the Springboks. They talk about physicality at the age of nine.

“It’s pretty much what’s in front of the windscreen that’s driving participation. Kids are learning from their heroes.”

Speaking on the Scrum V Podcast, former Springbok Hanyani Shimange says there are clear traits expected of anyone hoping to wear green and gold.

“If you want to be a Springbok you have to be defensively solid, have a high work-rate and a good power game,” he said.

Hlungwani believes it is the mindset, the coaching and the competitiveness that transform promising youngsters into Springboks.