Puzzled by AB, more woe for Springboks
PROTEAS fans were left bewildered at the untimely announcement that South African cricket’s favourite son, none other than one Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, has retired from international cricket.
For a man whose biggest ambition was to bring home a maiden world title for the country, the news was both surprising and shocking at the same time. The star player stated that he has simply “run out of gas and is tired”.
Some fans are upset at the decision whilst others merely wished him all the best for his future. General consensus though is that the talismanic figure could have given up tests and even T20s and played the ODI format only, with the biggest incentive being the possibility of lifting the World Cup in a year’s time.
Sadly, this seriously puts a massive dent in the Proteas preparations and silverware hopes, as the team now loses their best batsman, lively fielder, back-up keeper, invaluable experience and much more.
The likes of Aiden Markram will have to step up to the plate, but make no mistake, winning that elusive trophy has just gotten that much tougher for our men in green.
THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE final was the most talked about in recent times, but for all the wrong reasons. Firstly, congratulations to the 13-time champions, Real Madrid, who fully deserved their fourth title in five years.
A Gareth Bale master-class was overshadowed by what most Reds fans believed to be malice towards star front man Mohamed Salah. Yes, Sergio Ramos is the master of the dark arts, but I implore fans to take a closer look at the specific incident. Salah unintentionally had his arm wrapped into Ramos’ as both men fell and the impact and awkwardness is what ultimately injured the African wunderkind, who we are all hoping makes the World Cup.
It was almost impossible for Ramos to injure Salah intentionally in that specific circumstance.
To add to the drama, Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane (famous for dramatic exits), announced his resignation. As untimely as AB’s perhaps? A future coach of the French national team no doubt!
FIFA WORLD CUP fever has well and truly taken over from the rigours of league football as the globe waits with bated breath.
The most watched event on planet earth will have viewers hooked from the first kick-off on June 14.
Drama, heartbreak, underdogs, unmatched atmospheres, brand new modern stadia, Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar and of course beautiful Russia itself – the stage is set for a footballing extravaganza.
Personally, I am hoping for the Russians to join South Africa as only the second team ever to be knocked out in the first round as hosts, simply so that we do not carry that embarrassing anomaly all on our own any longer.
In terms of eventual winners, look no further than the likes of Germany, Brazil, Spain, Argentina and France, with Belgium and Portugal as darkhorses. This should be one to savour!
THE SPRINGBOKS returned to action this past weekend with yet another loss against Wales, in Washington.
At one stage after Allister Coetzee was rightfully fired, there seemed to be just a hint of the excitement of old when us die-hard fans used to look forward to the international rugby season with zest and anticipation.
I think it's safe to say that any such nostalgia was well and truly expunged by the shoddy performance against the Dragons.
As a lifelong Bok fan, I unfortunately have to admit that incumbent boss Rassie Erasmus is no messiah, and actually not all that better than Coetzee. I foresee a long, tough road for the team leading up to the World Cup next year.
There is something truly wrong with SA rugby currently, and with a tough England series looming, things could get far worse. Siya Kolisi, deservedly the first black Bok captain (but fifth in two years), will have his work cut out.
IN CLOSING, reader Raj Govender had some concerns about my column in which I referred to the IPL as a farce. Allow me to back up my comments by respectfully asking why was this event given an official window every April/May by the ICC, in which no other major international series can take place? Why does this take precedence? Are cheerleaders, absurd salaries and sponsorships, fireworks and Bollywood stars really more important than the survival of traditional test cricket? The entertainment factor is there, but how detrimental is it to the overall health of the Gentlemen’s game?