South Africa win a triumph for hope
SoUTH AFRICA’S World Cup win should be a cause for rejoicing all over the world, not just in the Rainbow Nation. Even the most one-eyed England fan — step forward Matt Dawson — surely cannot begrudge them victory.
The Springboks win made lots of people — your correspondent included — eat humble pie. Former England scrum-half Dawson was so confident of a victory for his country that he went as far to arrogantly claim before kick-off that, if he was naming a combined England/South Africa starting XV, there wouldn’t be a single Springbok in it. oh dear, Matt. Rugby may only be a game but, on occasions like the final, it can be a force for good. The South African triumph brought together a country of 57 million with Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and try scorer Makazole Mapimpi role models for those growing up in poverty in the townships. They are living proof that dreams can come true.
This is a Springboks side that can identify with their homeland, a true representation of the ethnic and economic diversity of the country.
A record six black players started against England with Kolisi, the first black Springboks captain, lifting the trophy at the end of their emphatic victory. He grew up in poverty in the Zwide township just outside Port Elizabeth and had to watch the 2007 World Cup final win in a bar called the KwaGqalane Tavern as his family couldn’t afford a television.
His family were so poor he slept on the floor and survived on jam sandwiches. His father was absent and, aged 12, his grandmother died in his arms. Four years later, his mother and aunt also died.
Mapimpi, who went over for South Africa’s first try, also grew up in poverty and had to walk six miles each day to get to school in the Eastern Cape. His mum Eunice died in a car accident while his sister Zukiswa was a nurse who died of a brain illness. His brother Zolani lost his life after being electrocuted when he was stealing electricity cables.
Spotted playing rugby in local schools in the townships, the game changed their lives and their truly inspiring stories were used by South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus to laugh off suggestions his team ever felt pressure.
‘What is pressure?’ said Erasmus with a wry smile. ‘Pressure in South Africa is not having a job, pressure is one of your close relatives being murdered. In South Africa, there are a lot of problems that create pressure and rugby shouldn’t be something that creates pressure. Rugby should be something that creates hope. We have the privilege, not the burden, of being able to give people hope.’
If England had triumphed, would we have heard such inspiring stories?
Amid all the distribution of honours and baubles, there would be an avalanche of book deals. An honorary knighthood would have been awarded to Eddie Jones.
Such luxuries are of little consequence when you consider the impact the tournament win will have on South Africa. It is a major boost for a country that still suffers from severe economic problems, has one of the highest crime rates in the world and clearly still needs to do more to racially integrate all sections of the community.
In 1995, South African president Nelson Mandela wore the Springboks jersey as he handed over the World Cup trophy to Francois Pienaar. This time round, president Cyril Ramaphosa celebrated with Kolisi and Bongi Mbonambi on one side of him and Eben Etzebeth on the other.
It was a symbolic moment on a famous day — a day when we could all appreciate the impact sport can have on so many lives.