A lot has been said and written regarding the success of the Carlton Cup competition and club rugby in general in Blue Bulls country. The Blue Bulls' support paid in rand and cents are confirmed to be bigger than all other rugby unions in South Africa combined. Therefore it will be impossible to find fault with the efforts of the Union.
However, one does need to ask the following questions to the clubs and their management.
Question 1: What is happening at TUKS Rugby?
A Carlton Cup final without TUKS was unheard of only a few years ago. We do understand that 14 1st choice players were not available for the Carlton Cup competition and final. However, once known as the biggest club in world rugby, one has to ask what happened to those brilliant hostel teams and talent of years gone by.
It is known that the close relationship between TUKS and the Blue Bulls has alienated several boys from playing hostel rugby. "Normal" students simply were overlooked and ignored by the coaching staff of TUKS as contracted Bulls players were selected for the Varsity Cup and the more important Carlton Cup games. TUKS Rugby was unbeatable but unfortunately allowed to die a quick death at grassroots level.
Nothing has changed much, as currently the coaching staff is contracting players to win, and win only. Maybe that attitude is the reason why 14 players decided to leave TUKS, a TUKS where loyalty has no place. A system that was inherited by the current coaching staff and one must be honest it will take a miracle to change back to the good old days.
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Question 2: Why do TUKS still dominate u/20 leagues?
Firstly, again a question to TUKS Rugby. If your u/20 teams dominate to this extend why do you not dominate the senior club rugby also?
On the other hand, one has to ask the other clubs, especially those with active Rugby Academies as part of their business model, what went wong? COVID19 admittingly could have had a definite impact on the number and quality of players attending those academies. However, the desperation by parents to offer their children opportunities and exposure surely made up for the COVID19 influence.
The answer lies somewhere between TUKS ignorance of students stars after u/20 level and the academies at the clubs selling pipe dreams? I am sure both sides of this argument will have credible answers.