I know, that’s quite the call to make when you consider the state of out national team, but if you look at the numbers it’s all pretty clear.

It’s been a rough few years for Bok fans, but we know that the love of the game at grassroots levels remains strong. The same cannot be said for our friends Down Under, with new statistics showing that numbers are plummeting.

I’ve never seen the Ozzie ballroom dancing team in action, but they must be pretty impressive. Check out this table from Sport24, and go ahead and spot rugby union:

26th place.

Good news for football fans, terrible news for rugby fans. 63% fewer regular participants than 15 years ago is one very worrying stat.

I guess the fact that we’ve only won five of our past 13 encounters with the Wallabies is also a worrying stat, but then you remember Italy and Scotland and your mind wanders.

Talking of the Boks, some drama from the announcement of Allister Coetzee’s second training camp via the Citizen:

The national selectors dropped a minor bombshell by excluding Lions scrumhalf Faf de Klerk from the next Springbok training camp in Stellenbosch…

De Klerk was the first-choice No 9 in most of his 11 Tests last year and has been in sublime form following a slow start to his season, which makes his absence that much more puzzling.

Instead, Springbok coach Allister Coetzee decided to give a nod to Shaun Venter and Cobus Reinach, scrumhalves of the Cheetahs and Sharks respectively, as well as Stormers veteran Jano Vermaak.

Quite a fall from grace for Faf, but let’s see what other inclusions raised eyebrows:

Exciting inclusions are the Sharks’ flyhalf/fullback Curwin Bosch and the Stormers’ EW Viljoen, who form part of the five so-called young guns invited.

The Bulls and Kings players were not considered because they will be overseas at the time of the gathering, from April 2-4.

“The camp provides us another opportunity for us to cast the net wider and also to have a closer look at certain positions,” said Coetzee.

There are some interesting call-ups, most notably young Lions flanker Ruan Ackermann, Sharks centre Lukhyano Am, Cheetahs No 10 Fred Zeilinga and the almost forgotten Bok, Sharks hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle.

“There are a couple of new faces in this group who have shown consistently shown good form,” said Coetzee.

“I also want to thank our franchise and conditioning coaches for their continued collaboration and support.”

Some pretty ‘interesting’ inclusions there – Chiliboy?

[sources:sport24&citizen]