Wynne Gray: Tests must keep their mana

Empty seats at Bloemfontein and predictions there will not be a full house in Durban.

A sign of the global financial straits perhaps or a hangover from the Lions tour but more likely a disturbing signpost to the future clout of Sanzar as they deal with rugby's overkill.

The All Blacks have not played in the seaside city in South Africa for two years and the prospect of the World Cup champions defending their lair against the All Blacks would seem a useful marketing weapon for the rugby junkies in the Republic.

There are no forecast weather problems, the field is in mint condition, top two sides in the world squaring off after their opening rumble last week and there are still thousands of tickets available. They may sell by kickoff but this is the All Blacks-Springboks.

It is supposed to be the greatest rivalry in the rugby world but can't draw a capacity crowd.

And still Sanzar pushes ahead with their ideas for a 2011 expansion of the franchise competition involving sides from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia while they also want to keep their annual test programme with the same foes.

Sorry while I suppress the yawn. One or the other is fine but not both, not every year.

Much of the allure of test rugby used to be the anticipation about nations arriving for combat at infrequent intervals, the juicy package of uncertainty and expectation as the All Blacks tangled with an invader they had not met for a while.

Some teams, to be sure, were not frequent enough foes. It was frustrating when great players and their nations missed out playing the All Blacks. But it was preferable to the here-we-go-again looks which seem to accompany test schedules these days.

In only one season (1998) since rugby went pro, have the All Blacks played less than 10 tests a year. They undertook 15 tests last season and have 14 on the books this year. It is too much.

Tests lose their mana, they lose their seduction, they lose their crowds. Rugby followers will watch on television, they will dissect the plays, the selections and debate the nuances but they cannot be expected to go to the matches as well.

They cannot be expected to pay twice for the same game with a pay-for-view subscription and a test ticket.

When you consider costs and dodgy evening weather, a place on the couch can seem more alluring.