Springboks celebrating after winning the Freedom Cup between South Africa and New Zealand at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on September 7. | Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers
If there is one team of a certain sporting code that unites the nation and brings all people from all spectrums of life together, it has got to be our rugby team, the Springboks. They first did it in 1995 and they continue to do so, with utmost aplomb.
I wonder if our rugby coach, Rassie Erasmus, is being given the credit he deserves. The man has clearly put his head on the block, defying all the forced quota systems, racial divisions and so on. He took another risky decisions by waiting until the last-minute for the recovery of Siya Kolisi and Handre Pollard in their hospital wards amid calls for their immediate replacements. And who made enemies eat humble pie and had the longest laugh? Erasmus did.
I do not think there is any coach in our rugby history who has taken such huge risks, listening to his gut instinct to apply and implement his philosophies. Erasmus gave Kolisi the captaincy to lead the Springboks. The Springboks have won three World Cup trophies under his captaincy.
Our trusted, ever-green, golden boy boot-kicker Pollard, another winner of three World Cups, is rallying behind nurturing and mentoring our newfound flyhalf sensation in Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Is this not beautiful and wonderful?
Earnestly, let us admit that the Springboks are a bunch of winners who leave us all, be it xenophobes, afrophobes, racists and so on to forget our differences and unite us.
If the Springboks were a political party and in the government, South Africa would be a better place where we would all live in peace, love and harmony.
Bokke, you go! We love the spirit. You are simply the best.
McDivett Khumbulani Tshehla | Mountain View
Daily News