The video clip that has split Bok fans along racial lines

A video has emerged online in the wake of South Africa’s comprehensive win over Italy on Friday that has flared Bok fans tempers and caused a massive reaction regarding racism within the team.

The video shows a group of white players celebrating in a huddle, excluding Makazole Mapimpi, who was forced to walk off.

The video has caused a massive stir in South Africa and has split Springbok fans.

This was the video:

Did y’all see this ? #springboks pic.twitter.com/AdgHS44CRY

— Luphumlo Joka (@jokaluphumlo) October 5, 2019

Since then, both Mapimpi himself and head coach Rassie Erasmus have explained what was happening in the video, as this was a clip of the Springboks’ ‘Bomb Squad’. This is the name given to the bench, who were primarily white against Italy, welcoming Franco Mostert into the group, as he had been demoted to the bench in favour of Lood de Jager.

This was the explanation that Erasmus initially gave, and it has been reiterated by the winger on social media.

https://twitter.com/owasendle/status/1180405726713389056?s=20

Despite the efforts to placate any unhappy fans, there still has been an overwhelming reaction on social media by those that feel there is a clear racial divide in the Springboks squad.
The worst thing is that some fans are not convinced by the video from Mapimpi, and have suggested that he has been made to respond.

There has also been those that have shared other photos and videos that suggest there is no racism within the Springboks squad, while others have said that this is unnecessarily creating drama when an explanation has been given.

But there has still been a huge reaction to this clip, nonetheless, which gives an insight into what the fans think at the moment.

These are some examples of the reaction to this video:

https://twitter.com/Owen_Zuma/status/1180400322491113472?s=20
https://twitter.com/amavuru/status/1180366561271570433?s=20
https://twitter.com/Ameer1975/status/1180433258737213440?s=20
https://twitter.com/Nhlokzin/status/1180435225681301504?s=20
https://twitter.com/wincadman/status/1180483859776978945?s=20
https://twitter.com/Da1stCollyMo/status/1180446659182039040?s=20
https://twitter.com/topsyturvy777/status/1180431074087841792?s=20

#mampipi His explain makes sense. We are reading too much from nothing. Let support the Boks and forget about negative people.

— Mthoko Mashabane (@MthokoMashabane) October 5, 2019

Alongside the ongoing saga regarding Eben Etzebeth and whether he will need to return to South Africa during the Rugby World Cup for a racial abuse trial, this is yet more damaging news for the Springboks.

Despite the success that the team are having on the field currently, remaining one of the favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup in November, there is clearly tension under the surface amongst fans.