As I am typing this I almost feel like I have to introduce myself formally among some very distinguished company of contributors on The Roar. So here goes.
Hi, my name is Laeveld Leeu and I am a very long suffering Lions supporter and a not so much suffering Bok supporter.
After reading some of the posts and articles, especially those from my fellow countrymen, I felt a giant urge (like an itch) to also write something.
But, rather something based more on a different perspective. To show that not every one of us ‘Saffas’ are prone to ‘drop the coach, the team, the older dudes, the younger dudes’ outbursts.
Some of us can actually remember harsher times than the current 34 Tests played, eight lost. In fact if you would humour me just for a few more paragraphs I will enlighten you with some of that perspective right now.
The year is 2006. The Boks lost their first home game in two seasons under then coach Jake White to the men from France. This after being pushed all the way the previous weekends by the same team and before then the Scots.
But the worst was to come in the Tri-Nations. Right out of the gates, a 49-0 in the first game against the boys from Down Under. In fact in the 2006 tri-series the Boks would only win two out of six – one each against the All Blacks and the Wallabies.
More pain followed in the end-of-year tour. A loss against those same Irish, wearing old school jersey’s to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the first meeting counting for nothing.
That was followed by the loss to the English after being in front in the final minutes. And lastly in the follow-up game the next weekend with a win against the same English, which coincidently started our winning streak of 11 or so games against them.
All of this happened alongside much off-field drama between White and SARU. Not happy times for us Bok supporters. Skip ahead to 2007, where we beat a sickly England twice, won one game in the tri-series and went into the World Cup, scoring more than 30 points in all matches bar the final, where we won the coveted trophy and conveniently forgot about our previous strife.
Some more perspective perhaps? Ok, but just because you asked for it.
The year is 2010. We had two teams in the then Super 14 final, the Bulls and the Stormers. The previous year (2009) was one of the best in South African rugby history in terms of competitions. British and Irish Lions series winners. Tri-Nation’s winners, blanking the All Blacks 3-0 in the process.
We were on a high. And then it ended. Not suddenly, but still painfully. We beat Wales away. We beat a very uninterested French. And then we felt the wrath of Genghis Khan (read All Blacks). The Boks could basically almost not buy a win in the tri-series with only one win to show at the end.
The end-of-year tour that season did not bring much relief either. Yes, we beat those Irish, finally. But then went on to lose against Scotland, just to beat the English the following week. If you had asked any of the loyal supporters, they would have rather lose to the Irish and beat the Scots and English.
So my point after this very long trip down nightmare lane? Well, there are a few.
One, a loss against one team after playing badly does not define a season, nor World Cup aspirations. It also doesn’t predict the end of the universe in a way the Mayan’s could not.
Two, calling for players to be left out of the team (influential and experienced players who have proven themselves many times in the past and current seasons) is both premature and a bit insulting in some instances.
Three, accusing the coaching staff of bias because of their origins in respect to their previous home unions is doubly insulting, naive, and not based on any logic or fact, especially when the facts and reasons prove so vastly different.
This is just my opinion of course. But I do believe in perspective. Sometimes we can all use a good dose of it.
PS: just a quick rugby geek-out to Harry Jones, whose prose puts us all to shame, oom Spiro, who sometimes writes nice things about my Lions (oom means ‘uncle’ or ‘elder’ in Afrikaans and is a term of endearment or respect), same for Diggercane and Brett McKay.
etienne marais
Guest
"2007 is a long time ago in terms of rugby..." Os du Randt starred in the 1995 WC winning team. Retired in 2000. Made a comeback in 2003. Was part of the 2007 WC winning squad, twelve years after his first participation in the competition.
Rainbow Nation
Guest
Good article laeveld, lots of SAFFA supporters lack perspective! Nice to see there's people that actually understand rugby!
Rainbow Nation
Guest
Wow, lucky really? Looks like a thing a fake bok supporter would say, hoping it would make him more popular in Oz and NZ lol
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Mate, I just hope last week was a big wake up call. You guys are the underdogs in a few hours $2.10 to $1.60 head to head I have backed you guys in a multi-bet, can you please put the word out to the team! Incidentally, I have backed our so called dirt trackers to get over the Scots with 21.5 start at odds of $1.90. Big call I know but couldn't take them head to head at $1.04 and will never back against the MIB. I'd rather not wager on them.
Harry Jones
Expert
I watched IRE-SA again. Still a horror show of fumbling bumbling dumber-and-dumber; BUT not as down about it. We created enough chances. At this level, away to European champs, when you don't take your chances and they pitch, you usually lose, and if you don't have game breakers with support, it's a long day at the office. For me, we need Jaque Fourie on the park, and we really miss Louw + Alberts. At 9, I am REALLY hoping Reinach raises his hand.
Wardad
Guest
Umm is it lots ? They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas but that must include long term memory cos I could swear I snuck an extra wedding in somewhere ! Oh well not like that would ever come back to haunt me eh ? On a brighter note I have made enough Aussies for at least a sevens team ,at least ..... Bering a diabetic means eating them choccies keeps me riding the edge there too.....
Beef
Guest
Agree.
James
Guest
no. If it wasnt for Messams silly penalty on the 80th minute, the boks would of lost. How hard is that to figure it out regardless of what Pollard done..
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Its actually 'a real' virtual room ... *grins*
jemainok
Guest
Agreed coconut.
Coconut
Roar Rookie
I love that Biltong too, the moist variety not the dry stuff, although that's not bad too. I recall going to some total strangers house (friends of a friend) somewhere near to Newlands Rugby Park for a Brai, and to watch the Super Rugby final between the Stormers and the Bulls, will never forget the Biltong, the beer, the Brai or the fantastic hospitality from people who didn't know us from a bar of soap.... They did get a kick out of our kiwi accents though.
Hermann Dill
Guest
About McCaw and retirement. It is all there for everyone to see, the man is still a top top player. And with his work ethics I reckon he has at least 2-3 more years at the top. So my prediction is: McCaw will retire after the B&I Lions series 2007. With a series win naturally.
Vic
Guest
Ah - a funny man :)
Rugby Tragic
Guest
No mate Queensland ... just taking the silverbird and will be there in 2-3 hours. But when 'our boy' is in WA, that takes 6 hours... but with Margaret River and Swan Valley calling, it matters not ... we will be there ... as long as it does not interrupt the rugby season!
Canetragic
Guest
Weekend to the Barossa Valley - you must live in or near Adelaide?
Laeveld Leeu
Roar Rookie
Thank you all for the very pleasant comments! I appologise if i do not respond to all, as for some unknown reason my company really prefers me to be productive when i show up. I knwo right? How unreasonable? Do they not realise there is rugby to be talked about? Anyhew, to scattergun reply to some questions, Kiwi, I stillrate JM as a coach and believe his unique personality traits maybe makes him little friends. Sort of like Nic Mallet. But both are people I would sit and listen to for hours like a kid at daycare. I also beliee that the Lions hould go well again nxt SR as they are building a culture and uderstanding currently which is stronger than their scrum. Thank you for calling me an intelligent supporter. Been telling the girlfriend that forever, now i have the written proof that will hold up in court! As for changes for this weekend, I like em! Want Reinach to play that game he played against the Crusaders in the Sharks first match earlier this season!
RobC
Roar Guru
Cheers Laeveld. Lions scrum looks decidedly Argentinian. I hope their coach can keep them on the path, despite the bumps. I thought their backrow got better over time, not just Warren. I also hope Julian at 110kg can do the job. Looking forward to checking his form. But it depends greatly on how low the Bok scrum is willing to go, I reckon. But by the time Julian comes on, the pack's knees could already be creaking!
Coconut
Guest
What I'm wondering about is what McCaw decides to do post RWC, or whenever he decides to hang up his boots in NZ... I just can't see him playing in France, and he's apparently made some good business investments, so money won't be an issue, I wonder if he stay involved with the game in some other way...? One thing is for sure, he'll never end to worry about buying another beer at the pub in his lifetime. Apologies to our South African friends for hijacking their thread.. :)
Rugby Tragic
Guest
And Digger ... no choccies for my missus, she is on a diet... wouldn't want to tempt her! And flowers?... well she has a garden full of the things so I better not send her flowers either, it would be like taking coals to Newcastle ... hehe
Coconut
Guest
Err, probably not, although I'm still trying to work out that All Bent out of Shape guy....