Is rugby becoming a toffs' game globally? As a fan of South African rugby (I'm unsure I'm allowed to still use the old 'Springbok fan' nomenclature), I am FOR South Africa hosting the 2015 Rugby World Cup after New Zealand - but this doesn't seem to be likely.

The IRB are the ultimate decision-makers in terms of bids to host the four-yearly tournament and, from my point of view, they are sidelining countries like South Africa.

Rugby has been accused of being a toffs' game and the economics of bidding to host the Rugby World Cup confirm this globally.

I've read that a bid involves guarantees to the tune of US$200million and, although only England, Australia, Japan and South Africa put their names into the 2015 hosting hat, the rich OECD or ''first world'' economies are the only countries able to afford it. This is a bitter pill for not only South Africans but for all the countries who are not a part of this global elite rugby union club.

2015 would suit South Africa perfectly. The billions of dollars invested to host the 2010 FIFA football World Cup could be recovered in a second global tournament like the 2015 RWC. It just makes sense. All the other major contenders, like England, Australia and New Zealand, have already (or soon will have) hosted the tournament TWICE and thus it would be logical to assume South Africa would be next.

Initial media rumblings have not been promising for South African fans. There have been reports of bribes, corruption and bid-rigging, while Japan appear to be outbidding South Africa with their superior financial clout.

The 2007 Rugby World Cup in France generated $180million in profits and was the IRB's greatest financial success. By contrast, as an ex-player with 15 years of rugby under my belt between 1978 and 1993, I fondly recall the amateur era and rewards no greater than half-time oranges and a bite mark or two to brag about on a Monday.

Today, rugby administrators are lawyers and 'gentlemen' who have never put their toes on a field. Their swollen back pockets rather than the good of the game are their priority while they ensure rugby union remains a sport for toffs.

I doubt South Africa will ever be able to afford to host another Rugby World Cup.