JJ Harmse
A friend of mine recently joked about one of the latest money making schemes at our traffic lights.
A blind person (or so it seems) begs for change and has a guide to help him in doing so.
"Only in South Africa," my friend joked, "could you find someone trying to sell you a blind person at a traffic light."
Yesterday, on my way to attend a Bok training session in Randburg, I passed at least three of those blind beggars.
Remembering the joke, I wondered how that 'blind' person picked his guide, if at all.
Is the blind leading or is he being led? I asked myself.
Did the blind man wake up one morning and decided he was going to beg at intersections? If so, how did he know about it?
What made him decide whom to ask to help him stand in the sun all day?
Opportunistic
What type of person would stand next to a blind beggar all day and help him across busy roads for some food?
Or did a opportunistic family member or even a friend of the family suggest that those fortunate enough to drive a car would be more inclined to give to the blind than to the poor and offered to accompany the said blind family member.
Or even worse, are certain families renting out their blind brothers or sisters?
How is this related to rugby, you may ask.
Well, in many ways.
I am feeling as uneasy about the appalling English performances as I am when being approached by yet another odd couple at an intersection.
Jake White has put a lot of emphasis on beating England in the two-Test series currently being played. He wants to grind them into the ground and gain the mental edge ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France.
Nothing wrong with that and to be honest, to see the distraught faces of the 20-odd English rugby writers on the trip, it does feel good.
Sulky faces
After all, we had the boot on the other foot for so long and they had to suffer (or enjoy) our sulky faces!
However, I just wonder whether we are not being led into an ally here.
In 2003, we had to beat England to avoid the All Blacks in the quarter-finals.
This time around, we'll play either Wales or Australia.
It is not the same as four years ago. If we lose against England in September, we are nowhere near in as much trouble as we were in 2003.
We know we can beat Wales nine times out of 10 and we know how to beat the Wallabies. And whether one plays France or New Zealand the following weekend, you will have to beat one of them to win the World Cup anyway.
We are putting our cards on the table - the English are not.
They clearly are experiencing a tour from hell, especially with several of their players falling prey to a stomach virus on top of their mounting injury toll.
I know Jake White has a plan, but maybe he should've tinkered with his plan for the coming weekend.
Rest
This weekend is not that important, rested legs are.
No need for Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield and no need for John Smit or Bryan Habana to play Test rugby this weekend.
I believe they need the rest more than beating England again.
They know this is a weak English team and that there is no mental edge to be gained.
Even in the reduced squad of around 38, there are still far more questions than answers.
Why not rejuvenate Gary Botha with a start at Loftus?
Why not play Johann Muller and Albert van den Berg and give the Bulls pair a break? Van den Berg is in need of game time, as is Bob Skinstad.
Why does Ashwin not get another 80 minutes and Bryan a rest?
And when will Ruan Pienaar start at No 9?
They are still 10 000 shy of a full house at Loftus. Looking to fill stadium? Play Derick Hougaard at flyhalf. Full house, guaranteed.
Whack Samoa
In addition, get the Luke saga over and done with. Pick him against England, see how he goes and plan from there.
It is much more important for us to whack Samoa next weekend.
They are arriving with their best team, are playing in the Pacific Cup at the moment and are one team capable of upsetting anyone at a World Cup.
If ever there were a psychological battle to be won, it would be next weekend, not this one.
I know it is easy to stand on the outside and make statements.
Fact is, I have spare change in my pocket, but do I give it to the blind man or do I give it to his guide? Who is leading who?
Read JJ every Sunday in Rapport.*Disclaimer - Views expressed within this story are not necessarily the views of this Blog
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