Growing up, a hope of mine was that people would become more together, not less together. The world of 2021 is perhaps more divided than it has been in recent memory, with much hate and disrespect.
Sadly, it appears this extends to rugby as well. I am talking about the vindictiveness with which pundits and fans alike try to rip apart teams and individuals.
This is by no means restricted to any one team or individual: the All Blacks cop it from all and sundry, the Wallabies have got it from certain South African scribes, and of course there was that video.
In recent times however, one team stands above all others in being a recipient of nastiness: the Springboks. And I cannot understand why.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Reading and hearing what people say and write about the Springboks reminds me of what some of my female friends say about the workplace.
‘You have to be pretty, but not too pretty. Smart, but not so smart that you’re smarter than us. Likeable, but not more popular than us. Tough, but not so tough that we can’t hurt you’.
In rugby terms, this becomes kick, but only when I the pundit think you should kick. Score tries, but only when you’re between three defenders. Tackle, but allow the defender to get over the gain line. Play to your skill set, as long as that’s the same skill set as my team.
And I just don’t understand it.
What sets rugby apart from other sports is its diversity. It is a game for all shapes and sizes, all backgrounds and stages of life. And there are many strategies that can be employed to play the game.
There is a certain beauty in how the Springboks play: precision in the tackle, trust and understanding in their defensive units, athleticism across their whole squad, vision from both their coaching staff and playmakers, and resilience, both mental and physical.
(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
They do the set piece better than most sides. They are fit and well drilled, and almost fanatical in their refusal to allow teams over the advantage line. How can rugby purists not appreciate the skill set required to do all that?
They do not play like the Pacific Island teams, the All Blacks or the Wallabies. Although they could if they wanted to.
No hail Mary passes here, no shifting the point of contact from first receiver. No running the ball 80 metres to a try line. And that’s actually okay.
In fact, I posit it is more than okay: it is necessary. It is necessary that rugby has a diversity of approaches to playing the game, because even a game plan based on running the ball all the time is the definition of one-dimensional.
The Springboks are, for the most part, humble in victory and gallant in defeat. They are tough and uncompromising on the field, but by all accounts gentlemen off it.
They are hardly the devil’s spawn many commentators would have you believe. Let’s remember that.
Alan
Guest
:thumbup: :thumbup:
yeah-nah
Roar Rookie
Nailed it Peter K. That's pretty much how I see it. But I will also add that as an AB supporter, get used to it - that's what happens when you hold the RWC. Every rugby stakeholder (player or fan) is gunning for you. People are going to manufacture fault deserved or not in every action. Just read the comments on the roar to see how quickly a response to a supportive comment can quickly deteriorate to personal insults or one directed at players or the team - all in the name of friendly banter some claim...yeah right. You're damned if you do, and damned if you don't.
Allan McEvoy
Guest
I think a lot of the international dislike comes from the historical legacy of racism within and perceived cheating by former Springbok teams. Even now with all that in the past, many still find it difficult to see the white players in the team as something other than racist win-at-all-costs brutes. Unfair as it is, it does persist and may do until another generation of commentators and critics passes. Plus of course despite how the team behaves, Springbok fans don't come across as the bestest losers or as gracious winners - not that they're alone in that.
JASPER VAN DER WESTHUIZEN
Guest
I have to disagree. My son plays for a larger "traditional rugby school". Under 12 and Under 13 years combined can barely scrape 3 full teams together these days. Hockey especially, but also golf, cycling, basketball, water polo and such has eaten drastically into player numbers. Many of the smaller town schools have self destructed or they lose their decent players to the larger schools very early on, constricting the playing league further with especially the the B and C teams finding it ever harder to fill all the Saturdays on the season roster. Our club rugby system is barely functional. A few of our provincials unions are bankrupt... Nope, SA rugby is definitely not healthy.
Blessing
Roar Rookie
Hear hear. I must say, I'm rather indifferent towards them since the Rassie thing. If they played England tomorrow, I wouldn't care who wins or loses. I was willing them to win the RWC after our elimination. Winning the WC has engendered an attitude that I dislike from their administrators and some of their fans.
bill
Roar Rookie
So where did you get your magic wand from to make this prediction DDSmash
Totara
Roar Rookie
Rugby is a game, that's GAME. It was designed for recreation and enjoyment and, since the professional era, for entertainment. I cannot see how the Springbok approach is either enjoyable or entertaining....it basically turns what should be enjoyed and entertaining into a turgid and boring spectacle for those watching. I am sure that the Springboks are really nice fellows, and gentlemen to boot. But I would not cross the road or turn on my TV to watch them at present, because this is not rugby as I know and love it.
NOTASaffaSpy
Roar Rookie
Bryce Lawrence and the fix that was in in 2011 would like to say hello... That's why we don't like refs, it's been happening and when we complain the rest of the world says "it's part of the game". I say fire useless refs and stop protecting them from backlash instead.
David Mcleod
Guest
Yes unfortunately these so-called hatred or disrespect issues have crept into ruby with different countries fans.Nothing to do with the players.Why can't people just be nice and congratulate each other.Shake hands.Well done fellows.Used to be like that in 70's and 80's
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Jacko - I’ve told you this before and I’ll tell you again. You cannot bring facts like “ he is the SARU figurehead and therefore represents SARU in his accusations and complaints.” To this kind of argument. You will be shut down with opinions like “ but this had nothing to do with SARU”, or “it was for internal use only and someone else leaked it to the web” You need to check yourself before you wreck yourself young man.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Who does Rassie work for?
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Rassie is just one person… but he is the one person with the title “director of rugby” in SARU. His actions are also a direct reflection of SARU.
timbuck2
Guest
I truly believe the dislike toward the Saffa is not actually directed toward the team themselves - they're a good team. Current world champs, no less. The disdain is directed toward the ignorant Bokke fans (not all, mind you) who are so one-eyed toward their beloved team that no other team compares to theirs because they're the current world cup holders? I used to enjoy watching games vs. Springboks and respected them. These days I struggle to because of their fans. I look forward to them losing games now just so their fans can eat humble pie.
kgbagent
Roar Rookie
Maybe he is not so bright after all
kgbagent
Roar Rookie
so your 'real coach' has created another video. You lot are handing out sticks to all and sundry
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Where do we start: 1. The continual whinging from the SB supporters about how the refs treat them 2. The RE video that was clearly aimed at ramping up this view – and subsequently slowing down the play so the SB could keep up 3. The SB one dimensional gameplan which absurdly including kicking when you are only 25m out from the Wallaby line. 4. RE pretending to be waterboy The irony is that the SBs could absolutely dominate the ABs on a consistent basis if they played a slightly more expansive game. They have one of the best wingers in the world who hardly sees the ball.
francois
Guest
well said sir,well said
blerp
Roar Rookie
I think deep down its not hatred of the Springboks but hatred of the god awfulstate of the rolling maul at the moment. A slow, un-stoppable obstruction in which you are literally not allowed to tackle the ball carrier even if you legally get to him. It's the very antithesis of rugby. The tiny bit of yin in the yang.
Dave
Guest
I don’t have a problem with the SA style of play, I think it’s great different countries adopt such different approaches What I struggle with are the fans, they seem overly arrogant, are sore losers and weirdly proud of their team considering they’re not even consistently in the top 2 teams in the world. Just take a chill pill and relax, so intense
sheek
Roar Guru
They're good at changing titles. Not good when they don't understand the subject matter.