Gavin Rich questions SARU's recent proclamations of the sport being recession-proof in The Cape Argus.
"There was a press release issued from SA Rugby headquarters the other day in which chief executive Andy Marinos celebrated the highest attendance figures for Springbok matches since 2004. I am more supportive of Marinos than many are, but it was a bit disingenious of him if you consider this was the year of a British and Irish Lions tour.
"Surely this year can only really be compared to 1997, when the Lions last visited here, and not to the other seasons where Tri-Nations games are preceded by matches against usually under-strength minor nations and are played in what could be described as a warm-up atmosphere.
"For me it was disturbing that this season I attended two top Test matches at King's Park which were both far from full. The one was against the British and Irish Lions, the other was against the All Blacks. Sorry, but I never thought I would see the day when the Boks would play those opponents at that venue and there would be empty seating."
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