1
The bitter aftertaste from the Springboks World Cup win
Seven seconds passed between Siya Kolisi lifting the Webb Ellis Cup and South Africaās president Cyril Ramaphosa taking it from him. At the time it barely registered. In that euphoric moment, who exactly had their hands on rugbyās greatest prize was of little concern to Springboks supporters. All that mattered was that it was heading home to join three of its siblings in the trophy cabinet.
ADVERTISEMENT
But as the potent cocktail of relief and joy has largely worn off, as cloudy hangovers have parted and the afterglow of that glorious night in Paris has subsided, a lingering aftertaste has remained. To be sure, the prevailing sense is one of sweet celebration, but in the back near the molars itās hard to ignore something far more bitter.
Just what was Ramaphosa doing there? In truth itās painfully obvious. He was after something that might be called a āNelson Mandela momentā. When the Springboks won their first World Cup 28 years ago, the former president of the country handed the victorious captain Francois Pienaar the glittering golden cup. He thanked the Boks skipper for what heād done for the country and then stepped aside. He never raised the trophy himself. He understood that this moment, though paved by his sacrifice and hard work, was not about him.
Video Player is loading.
The Springbok emblem has come under fire from radical politicians back in South Africa who have rightly pointed out that the leaping antelope was once a muscular totem of the apartheid regime. These outspoken voices have called for the emblem to be banned and have pledged that should they ever come to power theyāll force the team to play under a new badge and in different colours.
What they fail to recognise is that symbols are in a constant state of flux. They evolve and adapt over time. The Springbok was once unquestionably a source of great shame for the country and represented everything that was broken in South Africa. But who could watch the scenes from the nationwide bus parade and make that argument today? South Africans of all races, who speak a mix of 12 languages and have roots in dozens of tribes, ethnicities and religions all came together to cheer for Kolisi and his diverse team. They are the result of what is possible when a fractured land pulls together.
Ramaphosa, so bereft of the grace and humility shown by Mandela nearly three decades ago, knows this which is why he was so desperate to place himself front and centre on that podium. By snatching the trophy away from Kolisi and hoisting it aloft himself before any other Springbok coach or player had the chance to hold it was not only a shameless act of selfishness, it was an insidious ploy to tether his own failing brand to the one South African organisation that rises above all others on the world stage.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sportswashing comes in many forms but the goal is the same. It is meant to act as a smokescreen to a governmentās wrongdoings and shortcomings while distracting fans with goals, wickets, knockouts and tries. Whatās worse is that it works. Throughout history, from the ancient Romans to petrostates that are now consuming all of sport, the lure of bread and circuses have been too powerful to ignore.
South African rugby fans must not allow the greedy and corrupt politicians to steal this moment. They had nothing to do with the Springboksā success and donāt deserve any of the attention or kudos for themselves.
Just this week two ANC officials from one of the countryās most poorly run provinces were seen fighting over the trophy, arguing over who got to lift it first. It was akin to watching two hyenas tussle over a carcass that they had no hand in killing. If these glory hunters were so desperate for adulation they should do their jobs and provide adequate service delivery and play a hand in turning around an economy that remains a heartbeat away from flatlining.
But this is not an appeal to the ANC or any of the countryās opposition parties who have failed to convince enough voters to expel a blatantly corrupt organisation from power. In truth there isnāt a single political body in the country that has earned as much love and support as the Springboks or that cuts across race and class the way the World Cup winners have. Iāve joked before that if Kolisi ran for a mayorship heād sweep to a landslide victory. After the scenes of the past fortnight, that doesnāt seem so far-fetched.
ADVERTISEMENT
And so rather than address those inept government leaders who continue to siphon every resource they can, or those radicals on the fringe who would warp a jubilant moment into something odious, this is an appeal to those who actually represent the country with distinction to do something tangible.
I donāt know where it would lead to but it could start with firm condemnation of Ramaphosa and everyone else who, like parasites, attached themselves to a triumph that wasnāt theirs. If a senior player or coach called out corruption and mismanagement or the failures of a state that now oversees a country with 33 per cent unemployment and the largest wealth inequality in the world, that would add significant weight into the political discourse.
It wouldnāt be totally uncharted territory for some of them. Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi have all used their platform to call for an end to gender-based violence and youth crime. Many others, including the retired World Cup-winning prop, Tendai Mtawarira, have established charitable organisations to combat the inequities around them. Going one step further would take this team to a new level of athlete activism and underline their own stated ambition to make a significant impact on all South Africans, not just those fortunate enough to watch them play.
Of course this carries a degree of risk and the blackballing of the American footballer Colin Kaepernick serves as a warning. But there are success stories to draw inspiration from and who could say if Kolisi wonāt one day follow in the footsteps of Manny Pacquiao, George Weah, Imran Khan or David Pocock and become a bonafide statesman after retirement?
This could only happen with the support of the fans. A Springbok will only feel emboldened to stiff-arm an undeserving politician if he knew he had the support to do so. Thatās where we come in.
Itās a true reflection of what goes on off the field went on , on the field. Springboks āTMOā champions should not have won against France , England or NZ thanks to doggy TMO decisions and their president even highjacks the day ā¦priceless
I remember when I had my first beer.
It would be sad and disrespect to Nelson Mandela legacy if you drop SPRINGBOKS as your rugby team name. The name also plays a significant part in SA tourism. Please think again and reconsider the issue. Thank you.
Great article and unfortunately so true. Noticed Ramaphosaās actions as soon as it happened. Seven seconds, sevenā¦ truly unforgivable. All it takes is for someone like Kolisi to call the government out and get the publics attention.
Saying the springboks represented something foul during apartheid is a bit harsh. They were sportsmen, did they set up the apartheid regime? Some of these so called journalistsā¦
True that!
Non whites were barred from playing in the Springboks. It was an amateur sport there is no excuse for them turning a blind eye to this disgusting racism for a few games of rugby.
Amazed that excuses are still being made for this in SA today.
The springboks need to fix their own gender-based discrimination before they go preaching to the country.
Did South African rugby or cricket sides do the ole kneeling thing? I didnāt think using an anthem for anything other than what it is intended is that smart an idea but donāt mind the idea of kneeling for an anthem if youāre not singing.
Springboks could abdicate from politics almost as a message that itās not good enough? Say that theyāre all banned from their environment. But then what is the message and, more importantly, what is the measure that the message has been resolved? What would a government need to achieve before the team recognised it again?
No one gives a kak about woman's rugby.
It might be nice next time South Africa win in a World Cup final against the All Blacks for there to be no red cards and no food poisoning - it's a bit of an empty victory when these factors are in your favour
8 more years sourpussā¦
Grow up Brent.
Making excuses is not a good look - you win or you lose - either way do it with grace
Oh FFS. Bok fans used to be known as the biggest whingers but seems like All Black fans have taken over that crown and stand undisputed. SMDH.
Biggest cry baby losers on the planet. You were lucky to make the final
Nz just were not good enough to beat the Springboks in two finals. Get over it please and move on.
Oh dear, not everything is about New Zealand. Thankfully. Perhaps you can start shouting about the ABs in four years. Maybe you'll have grown up by then š.
Sour grapes š
12 - 11š¤£š¤£š
4 WC šššš¤£
Point Madeā¦š
Sour grapes a key component of kiwi sauvignon blanc, still leaving a bitter taste in their mouths. Whinging is unbecoming of such a great rugby nation yet it seems to be underlying in their dna when they donāt get their own way. Let it go and acknowledge you were beaten by a better team on the day.
It might be nice next time NZ lose that you show some grace in defeat like many of your compatriots have. Maybe if they took their opportunities the ABās might have won. They played their hearts out and were immense on the field but they werenāt good enough to do that. McCawās team would have. Like it or not SA had the harder path and managed to pull it off. Get over yourself mate.
Interesting the bok was chosen pre apartheid yet doing your research is not a requirement for a click bait journo
Written by a guy with a British passport living in Londonā¦ if you want to be part of the solution you have to come back to SA. A keyboard warrior from London will not help solve our issuesā¦
Just help point them out š
The curious officiating, successive one point wins, completely dominated in the final and the seven seconds before the South African President grabbed the trophy not a good look for world rugby
Lol. You again. Still sourš¤£
Why is this being written about here? If I wanted to read News24ā¦
Dear Rugby Guru, I note that you wanted to not be a keyboard warrior hiding behind a pseudonym. Just go to your profile and put your name into the bit that says user name. Then you can stand behind your posts, which really do tend to resemble a mix of trolling and unintentional humour.
Change to Rainbow Warriors?
Honestly thought the kiwis would win given the french bombed a Greenpeace ship in one of their harbours
I say change the emblem and get it over with.
For a very long time I was a staunch supporter of keeping the springbok. Though, I now understand why many are upset by it.
The quicker it gets changed the better. Why give politicians something to jump up and down about to try and bolster support?
We can then get back to just focusing on the rugby.
vote eff then . Drive the white people into the sea
No
Taking away the emblem will alienate our white fans again. Emblem not the problem anymore, its those kind of politicians elbowing their way to hold a RW Cup they have no business touching.
Should be in prison reallyā¦