Boks defeat
LET’S be blunt about this: the Springboks gave one of their worst displays in going down to their arch-rivals, the All Blacks, in Christchurch on Saturday.
And as has become the norm, any defeat for our national rugby side seems to bring every racist out of the woodwork.
And so, in the eye of a storm of criticism was the team’s coach, Allister Coetzee, and the black players he selected.
Leading the onslaught against them was Afriforum chief executive Kallie Kriel, who steadfastly refuses to believe that apartheid is never going to make a comeback.
Taking to Twitter shortly after the end of the match, Kriel tweeted: “Minister Mbalula, as long as you don’t allow selections on merit, losing by only 28 points is not bad, or is it?”
Kriel’s arrogance is bettered only by his stupidity.
The Springboks’ defeat had nothing to do with race, affirmative action, or black players not being in the team on merit.
Rather, it has everything to
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Speak up about who you are and what you want and what you don’t want. Well-defined people are attractive and it has nothing at all to do with physical definition.
Surrender the desire to control outcomes that are beyond your realm of influence – and almost everything is. The weight that lifts off your shoulders as a result will transform the way you see the world and the ways the world see you.
Refuse to participate in gossip of any kind even with your closest friends and in your deepest .................. 031 308 2332 ............ Fikile-Ntsikelelo Moya .............. Bruce Colly ......... Philani Mazibuko ....................... Billy Suter ...... Greg Hutson Simon Osler
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We know that Bok supporters set extremely high standards for their side. They want the Boks to win every game – especially games against the All Blacks.
They should acknowledge, however, that the team is in the beginning stages of a rebuilding phase. The current crop of players are just not good enough at present.
South Africa lost on Saturday because their half-backs were shocking, their fullback was almost as bad, they were tactically inept and their skills levels are set somewhere in the 1960s.
While Coetzee must take some of the flak for the team’s poor showing, the strongest criticism should be levelled at his employers – the South African Rugby Union (Saru).
Saru officials must let people like Kriel and his ilk know apartheid ended 22 years ago. Rugby belongs to every South African, and true supporters will support the team through good times and bad. ............... 031 308 2004 ................... 080 020 4711 .......................................... 031 308 2022 ................ mercnews@inl.co.za www.facebook.com/themercurysa www.twitter.com/themercurysa
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