Alison de Villiers is in The Clubhouse

MY name is Alison and I’m a reality show addict. There, I admitted it and am on the road to decent television watching recovery.

But though I’m a fan, I’m a selective one at that and my favourite shows are Survivor, Amazing Race, Biggest Loser, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Clean House.

I will catch a glimpse or two of the non-stimulating shows like Keeping up with the Kardashians and Jerseylicious but my favourites are those where contestants have to fight, outsmart and overcome obstacles to attain their goals.

And it seems the world of sports has jumped on to the reality bandwagon on the local front and heading the pack is a certain pay channel which earlier this year launched the search for a soccer commentator.

The show was hotly contested and the winner has now joined the ranks of the regular pundits.

In April, the self-same channel began the search for a female rugby correspondent who will get down and dirty – okay, maybe not in a scrum – interviewing coaches, players and spectators at the forthcoming World Cup in New Zealand.

So this is an opportunity for the new correspondent to not only experience this illustrious tournament from the best seats in the house, but perhaps also to start a successful broadcasting career.

The winner will rub shoulders with Springbok captain John Smit and his team in their attempt to defend their World Cup trophy and not forgetting the other participating nations and travelling to the country dubbed Land of the Long White Cloud.

Some might argue that it’s not fair that certain people have trained and studied hard for their respective field to earn such a good gig and that by winning a reality show, it’s not based on merit, but rather the finicky nature of public votes.

But I’m all for grabbing every opportunity in whatever form it might come – so I boldly decided to audition for the rugby commentating “vacancy”.

I braved the wind and along with a couple of hundred women, queued at Newlands Rugby Stadium. Yes, I had to brush up on knowing the difference between a ruck and a maul and understand the southern and northern hemispheres’ interpretation of the rugby laws, but that’s what Google is for.

I aced the script, if I should say so myself but drew a blank with some general knowledge questions. I blamed the nerves and used it in my defence and it paid off as the judge at the preliminary rounds was kind enough to let me advance to the next round.

Another wait and then finally, straight from an episode of Idols, it was my turn to face former Springbok Toks van der Linde and regular television presenters Gavin Cowley and Crystal Arnold.

They asked the standard “Why do you want to be Lady Rugga?” question, to which I gave my textbook answer of “it’s a great opportunity, wonderful platform and a great step for my career”.

But I added my personal touch – “I’m a drama queen and love the attention” – and got a few laughs.

Cowley then asked what would make me different and I responded that I would use humour to not only explain the game to the novices, but also bring important matters across. Seems the judging was impressed but next it was soon on to more serious business.

Although the Gareth Edwards answer slipped my mind (Geez, I wasn’t even born in 1973!) I aced the World Cup trivia.

Arnold then asked when I last saw the Stormers in action and I mentioned the match against the Highlanders in March, a game I will never forget as I received a fine for illegal parking, which I’m still contesting with the traffic department.

So Toks said I should relate my traffic fine experience to the audience and fortunately for me, my mishap turned out to be a blessing as I received two “Yes” votes and Crystal, in her best JLo impression, said it was not necessary for her vote.

So I made it through to the next round which was bittersweet as my two companions did not.

Fast forward to May 14 and with my cellphone battery fully charged, I waited in vain for a phone call which never came.

I might not have made the Top 50 Lady Ruggas but it was a good experience and I would have regretted it had I not taken part.

Judging on past reality shows, fame does not only beckon the ultimate winners – many a contestant has gone on to bigger and better things having had their 30 seconds of fame on the small screen.

I’ve had mine, so let’s wait and see.