The challenge of midweek games became evident when spectator attendance was noticeably low at the Durban match against the Sharks. Alexander noted, "The midweek games don’t work. The weekend games seem to have done well, both the weekend games."
"I think one of the things that we should look at is not having midweek games, especially for Gauteng and Durban."
Alexander also highlighted a missed opportunity in team selection strategy during the tour. He suggested that incorporating selected teams such as an SA 'A' team or an SA Country team might have enriched the competition, saying, "It’s about creating opportunities. It’s about pathways and I think we need to create those pathways for the guys who don’t have the opportunity to play at this level."
Despite the setbacks with midweek games, Alexander remains optimistic about the upcoming Test series, noting that these matches have almost sold out, which reflects continued high interest in the rivalry. He shared his excitement about the potential economic impact of the series, estimated to be around ZAR 6.8 billion.
"No, I think we knew that we were not going to attract big crowds to the provincial games, especially on Tuesday nights," Alexander admitted. "But the Test series is where we looked at and that’s where it sold out."
Meanwhile, the All Blacks have shown strong performance, securing wins against the Stormers and Bulls, and they are expected to continue their form in the upcoming matches. However, Alexander expressed concern over the timing of these games, as they clashed with the South African teams' pre-season preparations.
Earlier this year, Alexander called for greater alignment in the global rugby calendar to avoid scheduling conflicts. "We need to sort our seasons out and we’ll always have this challenge until we can find a global season," he stated, emphasizing the importance of a unified approach to international scheduling.
"But I think with the Nations Championship, we have a group of 12 countries. I think we’ll find a solution there," he continued, hopeful for a resolution that accommodates all involved in the sport.
As the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series continues, it remains to be seen how SA Rugby will adjust its strategies based on these experiences. The focus on optimizing game schedules and team selections could significantly influence the success and growth of rugby in South Africa and beyond.
