The Springboks’ resounding victory over Argentina was not only significant for being their largest ever win over the Pumas to date, but it formed part of a unique sports and cultural day celebrating Nelson Mandela’s 95th Birthday.
The South African National Football Team played Burkina Faso in an international friendly earlier in the day and the organisers believe it is the first time a national football and rugby team have played in the same stadium, on the same day.
Being South African, I am well aware of the racial divide that has existed between the two codes and can understand the government’s desire to change this.
On Saturday, I saw a powerful way of developing interest in rugby in an area with a large non-white contingency.
It was fantastic to see the football and rugby fans in joint celebration, embracing each other’s passion for their respective sporting codes.
Earlier in the week, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) announced that a new race quota system will be introduced to the Vodacom Cup (one of our domestic rugby competitions).
Each side will be required to select a minimum of seven players of colour within their starting twenty two, five of which will be required to form part of the starting fifteen.
A minimum of two players of colour, within the starting fifteen, will have to be among the forwards. This has caused much debate amongst rugby experts and fans throughout South Africa.
The pros and cons of such a system are obvious. In my opinion, this system is a radical way of introducing more players of colour to first class rugby in our country, without addressing the problem at grassroots level. In my opinion, it’s not the answer.
Yesterday was the answer – giving more people from all backgrounds the opportunity to see the Springboks in action, helping to develop an interest in the game within their communities.
I for one will be ordering my vuvuzela in preparation for next year’s double header, to support two of our most loved sporting teams.
David
Guest
If national rugby is just about identifying with a brand and not about the special love one has for ones home country then that is very sad. I reject any comparison to Manchester United etc. I can support my Premiership side (spurs) and I chose them. I didn't chose to support the Springboks. Living in SA during my formative years meant that the Springboks chose me. Having said that I don't criticise disenfranchised South Africans that supported the other side during apartheid. I also understand that one gets to an age where one cannot simply change back. I don't understand younger South Africans that make the same choice, maybe it is the influence of their parents.
mactheblack
Guest
Oh my here we go again Photon… some disgruntled person trying to proffer reasons as to why some South Africans back their favourite brand - the All Blacks. Did you buy any chance see the crowds at Man U games in Thailand etc (I think it was) in pre-friendly games – the locals coming out in full Man U regalia to support one of the best soccer clubs on the planet? Why? Man U is an international brand my friend, so here’s the point – so are the All Blacks. We support them here, we support them in Georgia, Australia (yeah even there) to Kenya, all over the planet - they have massive support. Check out the website Allblacks.com. So the cheap shots consistently coming from guys like you, is like water off a duck’s back to an AB supporter. It will never hit the mark – it shall never hurt. Your comment “pining for New Zealand” doesn’t deserve a response and shows little respect for the fact that it is not at all about the country, but rather the kind of rugby that many of us love watching and that we actually do know the game. Comments like yours smack of envy. Lighten up boet, buy yourself an AB jersey and and add it to your collection of Bok jerseys. I don’t hold anything against the Boks – I love watching them – I’ve got a Bok jersey hanging in my cabinet too – alongside an ABs one. While we have our favourite sides, let’s support rugby in the process too. I’m an ABs fan since the late 1960s, but it’s pointless sharing with you how much I do know about my favourite side , you might just be pleasantly surprised. It doesn’t matter how little I know about the country, all I know is, I support the brand of rugby that currently is the best in the world and everyone wants to see. GO THE ALL BLACKS!!
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
Nice posts Photon I'm happy you remain positive about our country's future. I will make a point to find Duncan Johnstone's article as I'm sure it's an interesting read. Best, Brendan
Well said mate.
Photon
Guest
My apologies, what I was trying to say is if what you were saying was true, there would not have been the outcry mentioned in that article as well as in the article that Duncan Johnstone wrote about a similar topic in Rugbyheaven
Photon
Guest
First of all if what you are saying we're true, there would not have been the outcry that that article as well as the one written by Duncan Johnstone outline The second point, everything you are saying about New Zealand shows that you have no idea about that country's culture. You have invented some fantasy in your mind and you think that South Africa should strive to live up to that. As for your type, I'd love to know what your mean. I have a Zulu, Sotho, Tswana and Xhosa grandparent so the only group I belong to is South African. But it doesn't matter I realise that there will always be those who only see reasons to complain and ignore the progress. As for not politicizing this discussion, all discussions about social science are political. Maybe instead of pining to become a New Zealander you should try and find a way to contribute to your own, people, province and country. But ultimately this is your own call!! Good luck
"Your kind" My aren't we precious.
I don't think it is about being the same, more a case of finding common ground
Bob
Guest
Why do you want to make everyone the same? The USSR tried to create the New Soviet Man and it failed miserably. In fact, the UN Charter gives people the inalienable right to their ethnic, linguistic, and cultural identities.
mactheblack
Guest
Photon, I did not say the national anthem is deeply ingrained in Kiwi society - I said Maori culture was. I won't get politicking ... you see it your way .... I'm fine with that ... but THAT process you are talking about is taking too long, when it comes to our rugby side - in my opinion. I'm not sure why you are getting so uptight. Do you want me to change the way I feel or my opinion, when there's no justification for it. We're what? ... 19 years into a new dispensation. Because your patriotic fervour runs deep and you so beautifully explain how we are going to move forward - we should now all start believing you? Talk is cheap my friend, very cheap. It's so typical of your kind to start an argument instead of eliciting debate - so we all can learn from each other, and which Roar I think aims to do.
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
Good article Photon. The Maori verse gives the anthem a lot of flavour. Agree with everything you said by the way...
Photon
Guest
Just for you Mac http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/video/new-zealands-national-anthems
Photon
Guest
MactheBlack your statement is a typical example of why people say South Africans are ignorant. Very quick to besmirch your own country without an understanding of context. Do you realise that there wasn't even a Moari part to the New Zealand anthem until a few years ago and the New Zealanders themselves chastised the All Blacks for not learning the entire anthem whilst praising how every South African team since 1995 has learned the entire anthem. This country is not perfect and yes there are still many barriers to overcome but we do not need people like you who on the one hand have all the time in the world to complain but on the other hand do not even support your countrymen in their endeavours. We will turn this into a country for everyone, it will be a process and it has been a process but we've moved from a deeply segregated country to one where people are generation by generation becoming more South African than Afrikaaner, Zulu, English or anything else. This will happen inspite of the archaic and discriminatory thinking of many people like yourself.
Zakkaz
Guest
Juan Smith is an unfortunate talent, when he has played he has been outstanding. Real ticker in a Schalk Burger style but with so much more to offer. Its a real shame, good on him. Make some money before the injury becomes permanent. Australia will do well with a player like Juan, they lack serious heart in the pack.
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
Hi Mactheblack The New Zealand anthem is beautiful indeed. It is great that the full anthem, including the Maori verse, is sung on match day. I would never compare the two anthems, they are very different and both have their own charm. Our anthem is more of a hybrid song, merging two very different, popular anthems into one. The Boks always sing it with pride. Goodness, wasn't Brandon October good? Not sure if you know this, but he was the runner up in our first ever Idol competition. Obviously an unlucky runner up! The empty seats in the stadium, in my opinion, is down to a few things. Firstly, the ticket prices for the double header were far too high. Football fans in our country aren't used to paying over R100 (around $12NZ). The tickets started from more than double that which is way out of reach for most, previously disadvantaged people. Also, and no discredit to Argentina, but they do not have the draw factor that the Wallabies or All Blacks have. Over 90,000 people is asking a bit much. You hit the nail on the head regarding the lack of a demographically proportionate team. The exact point of my article. We will only field a demographically proportionate side once we have a demographically proportionate rugby player base. At they moment it is made up of predominately white and mixed race players. When something is done at grassroots level to bring more quality native blacks into the system, we will see a change at national level. The All Blacks were incredible. The mark of a confident, settled side. The Aussies were there for the taking in my opinion. New coach, new players and players playing out of position. It'll take the Aussies a little while to get 15 players comfortable in their positions. They will improve and I believe have the talent to challenge for the RC in the very near future. The Boks looked good but can only be judged come 7 September when they take on the Aussies. The Argentinians weren't good as they seemed to give up the physical challenge early on and never really showed up after that. Expect a much improved performance from them next week. Best, Brendan
mactheblack
Guest
Brendan please don't try to compare the NZ anthem to SA's ... Maori culture has been deeply ingrained in NZ society since days of yore .. a beautiful anthem sung with gusto, zest and passion. Wish I could say the same of the Boks when they sing THEIR anthem! By the way, Brandon October gave a beautiful rendition of the Argentine anthem on Saturday. I wasn't at the game ... but I swear I could see many open seats at the stadium, but obviously it could be because it's such a huge stadium. Great to have a diversified crowd, but I think as contradiction I only counted five players of colour in the Bok side - two of whom were on the bench! I know it's a lofty ideal, just sincerely hope that the Bok team will better showcase the demographics of the nation in time to come. By the way All Blacks were fantastic,(as usual), Australia still trying but just can't measure up to ABs, Boks were 'pure krag' (pure power) and flashes of brilliance for a change from the backs; Willie Le Roux and Fourie (who?)were sniping and kept them guessing. Pumas poor. I think everyone's waiting to see what ABs wiill do against the Pumas - if they play as poorly as they did on Saturday; take nothing away from SA victory though. I don't think they will play as poor as that again.
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
Amen GWS, Bledisloe indeed!
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
Hi Charlie Sorry for mis-understanding, "the whole thing.." being?
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
Hi Both I agree with both of you that the French game should impose limits on the number of international players within their club sides. That Toulon side has a very South African feel about it (as do Saracens in the English Premiership). I would love to see Juan Smith return, albeit if it's for the money only. Who knows, perhaps he'll return to the Boks in Fourie Du Preez style! A spin on this discussion. I think the Aussies should relax their policies on selecting overseas based players. Matt Giteau springs to mind, he is playing fantastic rugby and could solve many of Link's current selection headaches. Australia's player base is smaller due to numerous codes all fighting for the public's attention. Perhaps selecting overseas based players is not a bad option?
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
The Springboxs' could just take out the whole thing..