WATCH: SA's Super Rugby departure a huge loss for New Zealand, says All Blacks icon Carlos Spencer

NESTLED at the foot of Table Mountain lies the Green Point Track, home of Schotsche Kloof Walmers RFC, a significant venue not only in the realm of rugby but as a bastion for non-racial sport in South Africa.

This historic ground has witnessed legends, most notably Fagmie "Fluffy" Solomons, whose skills electrified the pitch during the politically charged 1980s when rugby transcended mere sport to become a symbolic platform for change.

Solomons, a flyhalf characterised by his vision and creativity, was a beacon for a generation that could only dream of watching their hero parade his skills with the likes of the Du Plessis brothers and Rob Louw in the Currie Cup down at Boundary Road in Newlands. 

Our generation was deprived of witnessing Solomons in his prime, which forced us to look elsewhere for heroes even as Apartheid succumbed to a new era in the early 1990s. This period ushered in the unification of the game, professionalism, and ultimately the inception of Super Rugby halfway through the decade.

Despite the early morning starts Down Under, everyone would rise often before the sun had, for there was one figure from Down Under who captured the imagination of fans worldwide: Carlos Spencer.

The proud Maori, doubled-down with the ink emblazoned on his chiseled-perfect chest, lit up the screens with all his creativity and X-factor that revolutionised the game and transformed the Auckland Blues into a domestic superpower.

He was everything current Stormers and Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is and more, with the pass between the legs, double pump passes, knee kicks, reverse and behind-the-back passes and, of course, the banana kick.

“It was just about expressing myself, just enjoying it. I love the game, I love having fun, and having fun for me was really about it. I just love expressing myself and I just love creating stuff,” the All Black legend told Independent Media in an exclusive interview at SK Walmers Rugby Club this week.

“The luxury of having good players around me which allowed me to do that, but it's just that fun. I took to the game early, it started at a young age and it stuck with me right through my professional career. I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Much time has passed since Spencer, affectionately known as “The King”, razzled and dazzled, running rings around defenders clutching at air whilst trying to catch up to the mercurial pivot.

Spencer’s son Payton, now playing for his father’s self-same Blues, does not play against South African teams in Super Rugby Pacific with local franchises affiliated to the United Rugby Championship (URC) in the northern hemisphere now.

Spencer, who went to play in South Africa for the Lions and coach the now-defunct Southern Kings in the Eastern Cape, feels the absence of South African teams, such as the Stormers, Bulls and Sharks, has left a major hole in New Zealand rugby.

“We're definitely missing them,” he said. “I think that was always the big question when the South African teams decided to move on. I think New Zealand rugby has shown that we've missed them over the last few years. 

“I think not only as players, but I just think as a fan base as well. It's a huge loss for New Zealand rugby. It's unfortunate for us as New Zealanders because the Bokke are one of our biggest rivals.

“We just love playing against the South Africans. So, without a doubt, it's a massive loss for New Zealand rugby.” 

The landscape has changed to such an extent that its Spencer’s former All Black teammate, and fellow flyhalf, Tony Brown is now the mastermind behind the double world champion Springboks’ new-found attacking gameplan, guiding the decision-making of Bok playmakers Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard.

“Like we said earlier, the game's changing. Coaches are moving around. He's (Brown) got all the skillset. He's got a great attacking mindset,” the 49-year-old said.

“I think he's shown that within the Boks. He's shown that within the Highlanders. He's just one of those intelligent coaches that is innovative. He doesn't mind bringing something different to the attack.

“It's good for New Zealand rugby when you see coaches moving on and doing things for other countries. It's awesome.”

Spencer, equally, has enjoyed a much-travelled post-playing career that has seen him coach the Men’s game in New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, USA and soon in Ireland.

However, his current role has seen him switch to Women’s Rugby, where he works with his beloved Blues on the North Island and now also with the Black Ferns XV. 

It is the latter that has brought him to Cape Town for a two-match series against the Springbok Women’s side, which kicks off at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, in preparation for their Rugby World Cup campaign in England next month. 

“It's been the space I've been in for the last few years and I've really enjoyed it,” he said. “I've been lucky enough to get involved with the Black Ferns 15, which has been good. 

“I’m just here as one of the assistant coaches, looking after the attack in the back. We've brought a pretty young team over, so a really good experience, really exciting, great opportunity for some of our young girls.”

The Black Ferns XV will have Hannah King running out in the No 10 jumper against the Boks at Athlone Stadium. Don’t be surprised if the young pivot attempts an outrageous pass or cross-field kick. 

She’ll only be following in the footsteps of the great King Carlos.