Fellow South Africans. I Have made a lot
of observations lately, and this is just my opinion and thoughts on some
matters.
This Provincialism and name calling of our own people has to stop. What happened to the days where players would always play there hearts out in every game or did money or reputation change this so that some just show up without giving it their all?
I Will start by saying, I Am a South
African Supporter first and foremost. No matter what players show up in the
team at the end of the day, I Will always support those guys win or lose.
Now off course we are all entitled to our own opinion, and rightly so.
At the
end of the day it is just our opinion and the Head coach makes the calls.
After
some of the comments I have seen on here lately I am somewhat ashamed to
say I am a Springbok supporter. I Wear my jersey with Pride everywhere I go,
Yes I live in the USA, and lots of people recognize the jersey even though
Rugby is not Huge here yet.
It is mostly about pride in my beautiful country and the great people, which I believe are some of the friendliest in the world.
Rugby in our past has brought the country
together, and lately it is dividing us more it seems. Maybe a few of us need to
watch Invictus, the 1995 and 2007 World CUp finals again and even watch
with how much passion and heart the Baby Boks played on Friday to open our eyes
again as to why we are proud South Africans.
Sport in general has brought us
together. People from all over the country and world I might add, all languages
and races.
It doesn't matter where you were born, what your skin colour is or
what language we speak, at the end of the day we are Still South African aren't
we?
Are we only gonna support a team that wins every game? Sure hope that is not the case, because if it is, we can not be called supporters. True supporters will always be there win or lose.
With that in Mind, yes I am a stormers
Fan, but like I said before, I Am an SA Supporter above all else. Me like many
others have lots of heroes from all over the country like Fourie du Preez,
Victor Matfield, Joost, Percy, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Bryan Habana and
Francois Pienaar just to name a few.
Does it matter who they played for? Well
yes, they played for Us, the boks.
Does it really matter which province they
played for? Sure didn't matter in 1995 or 2007, why should it matter where
anyone comes from now?
As long as they deserve to be there and play good footy
like the All Blacks say, they should be there and We should all support
them 120%. If the whole team comes from the Kings, Boland, Lions, Sharks,
Bulls, Cheetahs, Stormers or the Leopards it don't matter they play for SA.
Although that wouldn't happen since almost always the best players will be, and should be spread out at other unions, But that is not the point, they are Springboks at that point and deserve all our support.
Then I might also be wrong here, but I
Notice it doesn't look like some players are playing there Heart out, as the
saying goes. Sure they are trying, but certain players you can easily tell put
everything on the line in every game they play, especially the games for
their country.
Not going to give names here, no need too. It is just an observation. When I Look back to the 95 World Cup, I hope some of us could agree that I don't think we had the best team there,
but the guys played with lots and lots of
passion and heart, and ultimately that made the huge difference. I Still see
that, but not all the time. Is that what makes a difference?
I Truely believe
so, sure form and other factors need to be taken into consideration, But
if they give it their all, and play with passion there is nothing much that can
stop us.
We all know we are very passionate people, and it shows a lot. Sure we
won't win every game, and that is to be expected.
All anyone of us could
ask for, is for the players to play for your country, and give it their best!
If they show commitment and passion I am a happy camper.
Not every game is
going to work out like it is planned.
The passion and playing with your
heart so to speak, can not be taught. I Am not sure what the reasons are for
why it seems this way, and there could be plenty.
Not going to go deep into this, it is just an observation of mine. I Hope I am not the only one who sees this, if so I am hugely mistaken and withdraw this statement.
Our national anthem at the start of every
game is huge, and you can clearly see the passion in people's faces when we
sing it. From the players, coach and all the supporters.
Surely it means
something to all of us. Next time we sing it, make sure we know these guys
are playing for us, to bring us together as a nation.
They aren't playing for a
certain city, town or province, It is for The Country, yes all of us.
Winning
at the end is not everything, the most important thing is that it brings all of
us together. We support a common goal. One Team, One Nation !!!
We are South Africans, Let's be proud of it and support not just the Boks, But every single Sports Team, Person or for that matter any South African in anything. We are Proud, we are strong, we are South Africa.
Here is our National Anthem Translated to English. Be proud when we sing it, and United we shall stand.
God bless Africa
Raise high its glory
Hear our prayers
God bless us, your children
God, we ask You to protect our nation
Intervene and end all conflicts
Protect us, protect our nation,
Nation of South Africa — South Africa.
Ringing out from our blue heavens,
From our deep seas breaking round,
Over everlasting mountains,
Where the echoing crags resound
Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom
In South Africa our land.