Green and gold shine in rainbow nation

AT the time this was written (Friday), the Rugby World Cup final was still to be played.

Win or lose, the Springboks have done us proud.

Not only did they upset the odds against some more fancied opponents along the way – albeit by a whisker on a couple of occasions – but they showed incredible resilience and fighting spirit in doing so.

They typify a nation that brings out its best whenever our backs are to the wall; they are truly the people’s team.

The unity they have brought about in the nation has had a reciprocal effect, with support for the green and golden having grown by the day.

Sport has for ages been enmeshed in entertainment, and we looked forward to each upcoming game the way a soapy addict would wait for the next episode.

This has indeed been prime time viewing of the highest order.

Even the sideshows by poor losers have not diminished our appetite for the oval ball clashes.

Typically, we have treated the complainants with our normal sense of humour, from WhatsApp memes to commercial advertising – we can make a joke out of any situation, to break the tension.

At the same time, our cricketing Proteas have, apart from one lapse, been putting on a show of note at the white ball world cup in India.

Our batsmen, in particular, have been magnificent, taking turns to notch up centuries and break records.

Wouldn’t it be great if we won both titles in what are arguably two of the three most hotly contested competitions in world sport, the other being the Soccer World Cup?

One hopes that the performances and successes on the sport fields will translate into something tangible as far as the country’s bigger picture is concerned.

We need the same level of unity and support for our nation in all things.

We also need to show respect and appreciation for those who oppose us; they are our adversaries but not necessarily our enemies – a good thought to hold onto as the forthcoming elections draw near.