It might be stretching the point to claim that Super Rugby had built up a head of steam, but it had established reasonable momentum before this hiatus for the Springbok-Ireland series.

Now we must take a deep breath and let the big boys have their turn.

We’ve had much drama and incident in the South African Super Rugby pools with two extreme narratives emerging. The first is how the Kings have struggled to adapt to the tournament’s demands, a worrying reality given the team’s historical and political context.

The other is how the Lions have re-written the code for how SA teams perform. They’ve played with swagger and style and added a vibrant dimension to a generally glum tournament for local fans. They stand out for all the right reasons.

Given the troubled history of the Kings, it’s perhaps not surprising that a sense of schadenfreude punctuates almost every conversation about them. This is partly because spiky franchise boss Cheeky Watson inspires strong emotions, partly because the Kings are seen as a political instrument.

The miracle is that the team functions at all given the difficulties they have endured. They now operate largely as a proxy of SA Rugby; a good thing because they may have collapsed otherwise.

The point missed by many fans is that local rugby needs the Kings, no matter how shambolic or embarrassing they may be. Rugby is compelled to have a senior team in the Eastern Cape, the traditional heartland of black rugby. Not only is this the right thing to do, it’s a political imperative. We know this because of the sports ministry taking a pop at rugby last month. Rugby is always in the crosshairs on account of its blemished history. [pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]’The vigour and future wellbeing of the game is utterly dependent on rugby embracing black players and supporters'[/pullquote]

What’s more, the team needs nurturing and investment to be able to give life to the ambitions of black players in particular. It’s naïve to think that this could be any different in a country like ours.

If rugby is to grow and to prosper, particularly in these economically fraught times, this growth will have to come from black supporters. This may seem ironic to traditional white supporters, but the vigour and future wellbeing of the game is utterly dependent on rugby embracing black players and supporters. They, too, are the game’s lifeblood.

This is why any sense of loathing towards the Kings is so misplaced. Just imagine what the team could be if given the chance.

A vivid counter-balance to the ills of the Kings has been provided by the Lions. Coaches Johan Ackerman and Swys de Bruin have clearly done an outstanding job in not only giving the team their freedom but helping equip them with the skills to play as they do.

Last week was a case in point as the supreme gift of quick ball, supplied in the main by a back row of stellar quality, was exploited by Faf de Klerk. His speed of mind and foot proved the vital difference. When a team plays with such clarity and certainty it frees them up to dictate large swathes of a game. The Lions also bring tremendous intensity to the contest, as we saw at Loftus when they strayed far from the comfort zone. Bulls’ heads sagged, but the Lions’ concentration was total.

Discussing their method, Ackerman makes mention that it’s not as easy as flicking a switch and sharing your philosophy. Having players capable of executing risky plays is vital, so too embracing the mind-set to develop skills that enable a team to engage a higher gear.

New Zealand sides do it all the time because they are conditioned to do so. Typically, SA success, which has been scant over the years, has come with the macho bash-it-up approach. Smart teams counter it easily.

The Lions can do macho, too, but the investment in skilful players like Warren Whiteley and Elton Jantjies led them down the high road of daring and ambition.

Occasionally they’ll be caught out, as they were when the Hurricanes put 50 points on them, for the high-octane game is a work in progress.

Ackerman hasn’t refined the playbook. He’s torn it up.

Two teams, two extremes. For both, the reward will come – if we’re patient and understanding. – © Sunday Tribune