I see tough times ahead at the Western Province Rugby Union headquarters at Newlands.
And this time I believe it is the fans that have the power in their hands.
After three defeats on their tour of Australasia, Stormers fans are keelvol- just take a look at social media platforms where they have made their voices heard.
A number of them want coach Robbie Fleck out.
They expected Fleck’s team to at least beat the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.
Instead, it wasn’t to be and what we saw was probably one of the worst games of the season to date.
I have said earlier in the season that the best move for the guys at the franchise would have been to put John Dobson in charge this season already. That way, even if they lost, fans would have seen this as a learning curve.
ROOI GEVAAR: Bryce Hegarty of the Reds is wrapped up. Photo: Dave Hunt/EPA.
Anyway, the problem for the guys at the helm of WP Rugby is that it doesn’t bode well for when the Stormers come back to Newlands in a couple of weeks.
Keelvol fans mean they won’t necessarily spend their money on watching a team that is simply not performing.
It doesn’t help that their first game back on home soil is against the Brumbies on the 20th - a hele klompie dae voor payday.
However, if there aren’t bums on seats, money won’t exactly flow into the union (we all know the difficulty they face financially).
And with a number of their big-name stars with one foot reportedly out of the door after the World Cup, the money men will be desperate for a cash injection of some sort before they dish out contracts to these players.
It has been reported that Steven Kitshoff and Pieter-Steph du Toit are apparently going to stay in the Mother City after it was suggested that they would leave the union after this year’s campaign.
Then there are captain Siya Kolisi, Dillyn Leyds and a few other guys who are on the radars of overseas clubs.
To keep them here, however, will cost money and to get the money, you need to fill stadiums.
To fill stadiums, you have to win or at least play entertaining rugby.
STAYING PUT: Pieter-Steph du Toit. Photo: Nic Bothma/EPA.
That brings me to the problem we are facing in South Africa at the moment.
South African rugby in general doesn’t look healthy at all.
The Stormers aren’t performing and they’ve proven that they are even worse than the least exciting team to watch in the Australian Conference.
Up in Pretoria, I expected the Bulls be on top of their game this year.
But coach Pote Human’s side started off with a bang and have gradually faded into mediocrity.
Yes, they were without a few key men in their defeat to the Jaguares on Saturday, but still lacked the class to hold on for a win against the Argentinians.
I can’t see them challenging for top honours this year although I believe that, at full strength, they have what it takes to beat the top guns in a one-off tie.
Still, Loftus wasn’t exactly packed on Saturday.
Then we’ve got the Lions.
South African rugby fans have become used to the Ellis Park outfit being the best team in the country.
Even without star players they’ve always managed to come out on top.
Then on Friday they got hammered by the Sharks in their own backyard just to confirm that they are on the slide.
Unfortunately, the Lions won’t make the final of the competition again this year.
As for the Sharks, they blow hot and cold and like the Bulls, I believe they have what it takes to upset any team in the tournament.
Consistency, though, is lacking.
HIGH COST: It will be expensive to keep Steven Kitshoff. Photo: Nic Bothma/EPA.
In my books, South Africa have become the new Australia in Super Rugby terms.
And in a World Cup year this should be worrying for Bok coach Rassie Erasmus.
Confidence plays a big role in any sport.
Without it, you simply won’t win big tournaments.
And at the moment, our teams lack in this department big time.
Having said this, Erasmus still has enough quality to select from when he announces his squad for the World Cup.
Problem is getting those players to regain lost confidence after what looks like a poor South African Super Rugby season.
Back in the Mother City, will you be at Newlands when the Stormers face the Brumbies at the end of the month?
Or do you think it’s time for a clearout at the Stormers franchise?