Am I the only one left with a distinctly hollow feeling after the Boks’ somewhat fortuitous series-winning effort against the Lions this weekend? Don’t get me wrong, it was an exciting match from start to finish, but the nature of the victory, coupled with some frankly boorish gutter journalism from both camps after the fact, has left a pretty sour taste in my mouth.
In fact, this whole tour has turned out to be a distinct let-down, from the understrength provincial opposition to the ridiculously over-priced Test tickets that have led to crowds in both tests to date that are more red than green. Whoever heard of the Springboks playing at home in front of a majority opposition-supporting crowd? Loftus frikking Versveld, Boerstadion in Snorstad reverberating to the chant of “Lions, Lions!”? It beggars belief.
I guess the thing that upsets me the most – apart from the typical barrage of frankly inane de Viilers-speak in the media which is making even his most die-hard of supporters (i.e. me) find it bloody hard to keep supporting him – was the fact that I know, without a shadow of doubt, that we would have lost the test had Schalk Burger been red-carded as he deserved to be. Sure, you can accuse the “pommies” of as much “whingeing” as you like, but you have to be pretty bloody one-eyed not to concede that they have a hugely valid point in this case. And no, the fact that Andrew Sheridan may or may not have punched someone in retaliation an hour later is not any meaningful form of mitigation.
So let’s reign in our enthusiasm somewhat and be the bigger men here. The Boks won a game that by rights they shouldn’t have. Let’s not take away from some superb individual performances as well as a far better team effort in the last 20 minutes to make that possible. But let’s steer away from the typical boorish arrogance that so often marrs Springbok rugby, because if we are brutally honest with ourselves, we were given a massive, massive let-off when the ref hauled out the wrong colour card in the second minute of the match.
Sure, the touring British press are pretty insufferable at the best of times and they think their team is a lot better than it is, but the way that certain sections of our own press, as well as the lower half of the Bok fanclub massive are carrying on, we’re certainly not showing them up in any way. Being gracious in victory and conceding that, on the day, we had the rub of the green but it was still a jolly hard game and well played by both sides – that’s the way we should be handling this one.
Respect for the opposition, their fans and for everyone involved in this great game is what sets us apart in the global brotherhood of Rugby Union. Please, let’s not lose sight of that or we’ll be throwing away everything that’s special about this great game.
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Good comments, I feel the same – it has not been the historic tour I had hoped it would be. It will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Besides the poor attendances and ticket prices, my enduring memory of this tour will be the complete lack of sporting – gracious in defeat – reflection by the Lions.
Perhaps they are not a great side afterrall and the fact that they whinge about everything and fail to ever give a “well-done” to the opposition smacks of a total lack of sportsmanship.
Some good points there. I dont want to critisize the ref really, but i got the feeling that he was a little bit against the Boks. Well done to both sides
@Baldrick (Comment 1) : Baldie, some of the more “gutter” sections of the SA journalistic spectrum (read Keo) have not exactly covered themselves with glory either.
As for de Villiers – can someone buy the man a gag, please? Get back to caching the team, Peter and let someone else talk to the press, since you are clearly not up to it.
@robdylan (Comment 3) : agree, PdV has no communication or discretion skills
@JarsonX (Comment 2) : the ref was inept, pure and simple. He has no idea what to do at the breakdown so he opted for the “lottery system” otherwise known as “eenie meenie miney mo penalties”
@robdylan (Comment 3) : I have to agree, he should never be allowed to address the media. I’ve taken ALOT of flak from my brother and friends for supporting him, but his latest rambling are un-supportable. I’m starting to agree with most peeps that his time has come.
@robdylan (Comment 5) : And schalk nearly got away with only a penalty for his rubbish.
I seem to have blocked out all the scrums. Were we really demolished in most of them? I remember the one penalty other than that I thought they were pretty even. But the UK press seems to be loving the “not-so-Beast” claims and they’re shouting it from the rooftops.
i heard that the Lions will have to make about 5 to 8 changes for the final match, all due to injuries 😆 if the Boks can destroy the Kiwis like that it would be awesome 😈
@molly (Comment 8) : the Welsh front row certainly did better. They had Beast and John under pressure.
Well written piece Robbo 😉
@JarsonX (Comment 9) : I’m just hoping that Kanko will get a run now
@JarsonX (Comment 2) : The ref was kak for both sides.
@klempie (Comment 13) : ….in equal measure.
@robdylan (Comment 3) : @JarsonX (Comment 4) : @molly (Comment 6) :
Div is a bloody moron.
@klempie (Comment 15) : div praat so baie snert tot die duiwel glo hom
@JarsonX (Comment 16) : lol. Haven’t heard that one before. It’s a goodie. 🙂
Here’s a question. Does anyone think Div will ever be offered a position coaching a national squad again once he leaves the Boks? And I’m including the likes of Slovenia in that…. 😕
@klempie (Comment 18) : Depends how he does in the Tri Nations. He MAY still be a decent coach. He just can not talk in public… ever.
@robdylan (Comment 3) :
True, the Springboks could use a bit of caching…
@molly (Comment 19) : And consequently no national union will employ him, as in any country outside SA it’s a ludicrous concept having a coach that doesn’t appear in the media.
@blackshark (Comment 20) : Caching improves speed and performance. Any geek will tell you that and I am a professional one. 😛
It was a great test series, one the likes we don’t see anymore thanks to the every extending 3N.
And one which we won.
@klempie (Comment 15) : Div does not get his ideas across well in the media. That doesn’t make him a moron. Jake White was in exactly the same boat – he just went to a better school so managed to make inane statements in better English.
Gosh, I can’t believe I just called Jeppe High a “better school”!
@robdylan (Comment 24) :
What comment are you referring to Rob?
@robdylan (Comment 24) : I’m sorry but I can’t see how “It’s sport. It’s a part of the game” could have just been an ill-formed statement. The only explanation is that he believes what he says which makes him a doos and that’s that. 🙂
@Morné (Comment 25) : I’ve heard he described eye gouging as “part of the game”… I’m sure that’s not what he meant to say, but that’s how it’s been interpreted.
@klempie (Comment 26) : a lot of people who read the stuff you post here and don’t know you as well as I do might come to the same conclusion about you… it’s far too easy to judge when you don’t have all the facts.
@robdylan (Comment 24) :
I doubt that he was “condoning” the incident – he was probably trying to say it was “unintentional…happened in the heat of the moment…part of the game”…that type o’ thing…
Knowing PdV – we should be thankful that he didn’t link it to some parable about two eye-surgeons…blah blah blah…
@robdylan (Comment 27) :
I have not read that anywhere…
I only half listened to his comments post match where he said he thought it was a bit harsh, and before looking at the replays after the game myself I thought so too at the time. Afterwards when I saw the replays I think he was lucky only getting 8 weeks.
@robdylan (Comment 28) : oooooooooooooooooooooo……
That’s cold brother…real cold. 😉
@robdylan (Comment 27) : I can only presume that he was defending Schalk and didn’t believe Schalk had actually gouged. Don’t know. Still I heard Smit intervened and stopped any more damage happening.
@blackshark (Comment 29) : aaaaahahahahahahahaha 😆 😆
@molly (Comment 32) :
When did “this” happen anyway? Which interview?
@Morné (Comment 30) : Just realised that means no Hulk for most of the Trinations. Good result as it gives Brussouw a chance to stand up. 😎
@molly (Comment 32) : one thing you have to say – Div is loyal to his players… almost to a fault.
Nick Mallett could learn from him.
@Morné (Comment 30) : my general opinion here is that although he means well, he often does more harm than good when he opens his mouth. SARU need to provide him with more support.
@blackshark (Comment 34) : I’ll see if I can find it again, cause the journalist was apparently pushing to find out if Div condoned eye gouging and Smit said, “lets leave it to the citing commisioner shall we?” or something along those lines.
@klempie (Comment 35) :
The make up this Saturday will be interesting.
Schalk, Bakkies, Danie and Jean out with injuries or banned.
I would like to see Juan Smith moved to 4, Potgieter coming in to cover Brussow and Deysel or Vermeulen coming in at 7.
@robdylan (Comment 37) :
I think he speaks to truth more often than not, and people simply cannot handle the truth.
@blackshark (Comment 29) :
Or something alone the lines of:
‘Jesus said if your eye causes you to sin, cut it out.’
‘Schalk was just doing Jesus’ work!’
Anyway- Schalk did us and PdV a favour by excluding himself from the next couple of games…and Brussow proved that he’s the best 6 in RSA right now the moment he stepped onto the field. Now we need someone to take care of Juan Smith…
@wpw (Comment 41) : LMAO!!
@Morné (Comment 39) :
No Luke Watson?? 😯
@blackshark (Comment 42) : Yeh just after he came on, there were was a period of about 3 minutes of ball in play action. Up to that point I couldn’t remember a single ball being turned of in the ruck, and in those 3 minutes we stole TWO!!
@robdylan (Comment 36) : And that is why Ruan will start next week again.
Ha ha ha… joke of the match…Andries Bekker trying to climb over everyone…the punch that followed was a “low blow” though…
And poor Danie…is he okay?
@molly (Comment 46) :
I hope Steyn gets an opportunity ahead of Ruan.
@molly (Comment 46) :
Yep.
@wpw (Comment 48) :
What did you think of the other Steyn?
@wpw (Comment 48) : He deserves it, but I’m not sure if he’s been running practices with the team, he didn’t seem to read the movements at all. His kicking was great but trying to get the backline going never happened.
Ruan deserves to start. It’s easy to look good when you have 20 minutes on your home ground behind a pack that’s finally started to play ball.
If they need a spare lock, surely they’ll bring Muller in?
I’ll jsut be happy if they don’t pick Bekker and Matfield as a combo. What a selection brainfart that would be.
@robdylan (Comment 53) : Gotta.
@robdylan (Comment 54) : With Snor at the helm, anything’s possible.
@klempie (Comment 56) : so who do you want to replace him with, Mr closet Bull? Heyneke Meyer?
Gooday Michael, Michael, Michael and Michael Jacson… 😆
Robbo – you attempting some “thriller” moves in that picture of yours??
So why was Sheridan not hauled in front of the committee and Bakkies was?
When is the hearing?
@robdylan (Comment 57) : DM. Would be the obvious replacement. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was him who convinced P Divvie to drop the high risk approach we were using last year. DM played a lovely blend of structure and flair when he was in charge of the Sharks and it was maximised in the WC squad.
@klempie (Comment 60) :
Pure speculation.
Dick Muir proved he is nothing with David Campese!!! 😕
@wpw (Comment 61) : That’s in the details. DM Head coach with Campo as backline coach.
Well, PDV’s record as Bok coach is pretty decent. It must be 70% now isn’t it??
@Prof. Ice (Comment 58) : my whole life is one big thrill! 🙂
PDV coaching record:
Played 15 tests, won 11 = 73% 😎
@klempie (Comment 60) : and yet the trophy cupboard remained bare…
@robdylan (Comment 66) : Oh come off it. You’re going to judge his tenure on 2 minutes in a S14 final? The 08 CC was set up by DM’s work. You seem to forget we finished stone last the year before he took over and in just two and a half took us to the top. That’s an incredible feat that few coaches have ever accomplished.
@klempie (Comment 60) :
So PdV strikes you as a guy who can easily be convinced by DM to change his tactical approach ?
How would that conversation go?
@klempie (Comment 67) : I don’t think people are appreciative enough of what he did for our team. We were laughing stocks throughout the early Noughties.
@klempie (Comment 67) :
maybe it wasn’t DM…maybe it was all John Smit…and the players…
@blackshark (Comment 68) : Slowly and with patience so DM would be the right guy to do it. I mean, have you heard Snor speak??
@blackshark (Comment 70) : It was everyone. The players bought into DM’s idea’s. We all know how happy the Boks were with Snor in the Trinations. We also know that the 50-pointer at Ellis came in the week after unconfirmed statements came from the players saying they were taking matters into their own hands.
@blackshark (Comment 70) :
hahahaha
Good one!
What’s good for the goose… and all that!!!
@klempie (Comment 72) :
‘unconfirmed’ statements??? 🙄
@klempie (Comment 72) : Further, I don’t have the team sheets for the ’05 campaign but do you truly believe that most of the ’05 players did not compete in ’06 and ’07?
@wpw (Comment 74) : Yes I deliberately put that in to show that I am not one-eyed. They were unconfirmed but where there’s smoke there’s fire boet. Anyone who believes that the players were happy after the booing in Durbs truly has his head in the sand… 🙄
@klempie (Comment 69) : i wasn’t laughing, but I’m pretty sure you were.
@blackshark (Comment 70) : LOL!!!
@klempie (Comment 72) :
Ha ha …yeah right…
@robdylan (Comment 77) : Why? Cos I’m an “unconfirmed” closet Bull? 😉
@blackshark (Comment 79) : Counter the argument dude.
Geez, but you guys are fighting fit for a Monday morning??!! 😯
But do carry on… 😉
@klempie (Comment 76) :
Why would they be happy?
Not that I condone the booing but they played crap…
@JarsonX (Comment 9) : the kiwis are looking very poor. even with div doing his worst we should thrash them 3-0 but it depends on john smit staying injury free.
@klempie (Comment 81) : I’ll think about it when you have confirmed statements.
I’m too lazy to go through the match thread…
But what did you guys think of Frans Steyn?
He had a quiet but decent game…not bad for a limelight seeking prima donna…
@klempie (Comment 80) : about right 🙂
@blackshark (Comment 86) : I’m still waiting for the two drop goals and try I was promised… has the full time whistle gone yet?
@blackshark (Comment 86) : nice hairdo.
@robdylan (Comment 87) : FdP passed to the wrong Steyn!
@Rahul (Comment 89) : man, but Morne made a right pig’s ear of the one he did attempt…
@robdylan (Comment 90) : 😆 He will tell you it was a grubba and no one was chasing
@Rahul (Comment 91) : oh yes… of course.
Golden boy
@robdylan (Comment 87) : See Rahul (Comment 89) :
The Boks started playing too late in the second half.
Watch the next game. 🙂
@klempie (Comment 76) :
White and John Smit was boo’d at Loftus a week before they rescued themselves with a 1 point win in Rustenburg…
@Rahul (Comment 89) :
But how cool was FdP’s cross-kick to JP…
@blackshark (Comment 93) : Pleasure whiteshark.
Does everyone know LMS and FL are up on JR.net?
@blackshark (Comment 95) : 😳 dont remember it?
@robdylan (Comment 92) : He did hammer home the need for a 90% kicker
@Rahul (Comment 96) :
You didn’t see Rob’s cool logo for LMS…?
@Rahul (Comment 97) :
It didn’t amount to much in the end…but it was a perfect kick to JP…
@Rahul (Comment 98) : or even a 10 percent kicker…
@Rahul (Comment 98) : and we had one on the bench to use as required…
@blackshark (Comment 99) : my graphics team are on leave… I’ll probably change both logos when they get back.
The FL one is pants!
@blackshark (Comment 99) : LMS logo? Point me in the right direction?
@Rahul (Comment 102) :
http://www.justrugby.net
@robdylan (Comment 100) : ‘As required’ 😯
Cutting it a bit fine! I think MS must start unless RP can improve his kicking
@blackshark (Comment 99) :
‘or even a 10 percent kicker…’
Why are you bringing Ruan into this??
@wpw (Comment 105) :
He kicked 80% in Durbs hey.
@Rahul (Comment 104) : he kicked 80% in Durban… Shit, even Percy Montgomery had his off days…
@blackshark (Comment 103) : hmmmm … Need to change the rules as well. 😕
@Morné (Comment 106) :
@robdylan (Comment 107) :
He is not consistent enough… If he kicked 80% all the time I would have no problem. At international and S14 level you need a kicker who kick 9 out of 10 consistently and your opponents will be weary of giving away too many penaltys
@robdylan (Comment 101) :
Oh…I did think it was a bit vain to have a picture of yourself with a gun on the logo… 😆
@blackshark (Comment 110) : Ah … Ctrl F5. Now I get it 😳
@robdylan (Comment 100) :
Ha ha…classic PdV response there Robbo…
It is a professional sport and you don’t play anymore with only 15 players to win matches.
“You expect your substitutions to come onto the field and make a difference and that is what Morné did on Saturday,” said De Villiers.
@Rahul (Comment 108) : what rules need to change?
@blackshark (Comment 112) : he’s spot on.
But his latest statement irks me…
Talking about the injuries in the squad “there are a whole lot of Bulls players we can bring in”
Nonsense! The next best locks in the land are Muller and Sykes, while Wolla must be next in line as a loosie.
Rob Im with you on feeling that the Boks were very lucky to have won this game and even last weeks must be seen as getting out of jail.
To me the tests have been brilliant and, despite the poor provincial games / squads, I think the tour has already been a huge success and long may they continue. It makes such a refreshing break from the trinations.
Related to this Ive heard many reports about how amazing the Lions supporters have been in both Durban and Pretoria where they have been very well rceived by locals with genuine good time being had by all.
Now as for their journalists……..
@robdylan (Comment 113) : Lms refers to S14. But then again wait till you see the mail I sent you… 😳
@robdylan (Comment 113) :
The rules where I become a board member!! 😕
@Salmonoid (Comment 115) : Speaking of supporters… did anyone see the ‘Crowd’ (assumng three is a crowd) at the Aus France match ❓ 😯
@Rahul (Comment 118)
New Zealand vs Italy had a whole pavilion open.
Hey to all you Michaels
I think you have captured most MJ’s different shades pretty well.
@wpw (Comment 117) : there are no board members here. Go ask the guys at RuggaWorld if you wanna be a board member
@Salmonoid (Comment 119) : we had three whole pavilions full… of Lions supporters 🙂
@Salmonoid (Comment 115) :
True, bumped into a bunch of them last Thursday night…nice bunch…drinking and singing away…
@robdylan (Comment 121) :
👿 👿
@Rahul (Comment 116) : I fixed that… go check.
Your mail is a non-event! Pumas aren’t in the Premier Division
@robdylan (Comment 122) :
Hell, there was a lot of red to be seen. I like the British supporters, have had some great fun with their Barmy Army at cricket games.
Wow, judging by my spelling and language above, it must have been a much better weekend than I actually remember.
@Salmonoid (Comment 119) : 😯 I thought they were working on it!
@Salmonoid (Comment 120) :
ja shame…dis “neusie verby’met Michael…
@Prof. Ice (Comment 129) :
Hi ys, were you away last week, didnt see you around here – holiday again.
@robdylan (Comment 125) : Did that also need a Ctrl F5?
@Rahul (Comment 128) : Maybe they were. 😳
@Salmonoid (Comment 126) : Hell, there was a lot of red to be seen
Both on and off the field! 😆
@Salmonoid (Comment 132) : Didnt really watch the game, looked like it was under construction. For the next world cup
@Salmonoid (Comment 130) :
Nah, sometimes a girl has to work when a girls has to work, and i was off on Friday – went down for my sister’s “New 30’s” birthday bash in my hometown!! What a lekker weekend! 😀
@Prof. Ice (Comment 135) : Whats “New 30’s” birthday bash about?
@Rahul (Comment 136) :
They say 40 is the new 30’s era…
New 30s? (40 maybe)
Home town? (Hartswater maybe)
@Salmonoid (Comment 138) :
yeah – that’s what she is prophesizing (is that a word?)) !!
Close enough, but not quite – about 50km more towards JHB..
@Prof. Ice (Comment 137) : 😆
@Prof. Ice (Comment 139) :
I think it was a good try anyway, dont you?
@Salmonoid (Comment 141) :
very… 😉
@Salmonoid (Comment 141) : I thought Bryan Habana’s effort this weekend was a very good try. I jumped up spilled my beer as he scored it… couldn’t believe myself!
@robdylan (Comment 143) : neither can I!!!! what a waste of beer!
@robdylan (Comment 143) :
The Habana of old – something of it reminded me of the Super 14 final -2 years ago. He seems to have the power and gas back.
@Rahul (Comment 144) : it was just the dregs 🙂
@Salmonoid (Comment 145) : yes, it reminded me so much of that. That was why I was so surprised at my own reaction!
@Salmonoid (Comment 145) : He is looking fit again… worthy of his place!
@robdylan (Comment 146) : Warm english beer, yummy
and they did win kudos imho. to come from behind against the Lions is a great achievement