The Springboks' Rugby World Cup victory has captured the whole country and the world, if recent reaction is anything to go by. It was not just the last game, where they beat arch-rials New Zealand 12-11, but the whole tournament where they really had to dig deep to get the job done, that caught everyone's attention. They were magnificent with eye-catching performances throughout and this has seen them hero-worshipped, celebrated and admired since that October 28th final. The wild celebrations have been going on, uniting South Africans across colour and religion, so much that even non-rugby followers have become fans and suddenly have an opinion about the game.
We've seen how united the country has been since the tournament started up to the very last game. Even weeks after the final, people are still celebrating our rugby national team. Long may this continue! Everyone who speaks about the Springboks now will definitely be listened to and entertained. We've had so much fun celebrating the Bokke that we even, unwittingly, forgot about Temba Bavuma and the Proteas representing us well at the ICC World Cup in India, where they are in the semifinals. Such has been the dominant impact of the Springboks in the country and the world at large, we've seen emotional scenes during the trophy tour, social media posts that captured the imagination, adverts, videos, print and digital interviews celebrating our brave Springboks.
One hopes something good will come out of this and it doesn't just become another once-off, where the country feels good and it ends there without any tangible difference. If there's one thing we've been consistent in, as a country, it is allowing such opportunities to pass us by. For several years we've failed, dismally, to capitalise on the situations that favoured us. If you look back to the 1996 Afcon success, we failed to make it count for us. The same thing happened with the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosting because there's very little to show for that whole month of the world's eyes firmly on South Africa and both these occasions saw the number one sporting code in the world played in our country. When you look at rugby, it is a completely different story because they've been consistently doing well and making the most of the opportunities to propel our country whether they are playing home or away.
We have every right to celebrate the Springboks, feel proud and united because they always give their all for the country, blood, sweat and tears. Their trophy tour was a sight to behold and those of us who experienced it first-hand will tell you just how special it was. That was the closest thing to being in France and watching the World Cup through your own eyes. We are all proud of our team because they've outdone themselves by winning it the record fourth time. It has been fascinating to see how we celebrate our national pride and some people couldn't resist the urge to throw Bafana Bafana under the bus, as they celebrate our Boks. Let's celebrate Die Bokke but not at Bafana's expense!
Someone has to say this because it is uncalled for to celebrate one team at the other's expense. If you think Bafana will win the FIFA World Cup, in comparison to the Springboks or expect them to reach the same heights, then you've clearly been living under a rock. Let's put things into perspective. For there to be a rugby World Cup, there has to be 20 national teams. Of those, 12 come from finishing in the top three of their previous World Cup group, which means those teams get automatic qualification. The other eight will be played out in small regional tournaments, this includes the automatic qualification of the host. Does that not make the route to the World Cup shorter, compared to football? The African continent has 54 member associations but only have five spots allocated to them (with the number only increasing to nine from the 2026 World Cup). All these teams will have to go through the qualifiers to make it through.
Is it really fair to compare Bafana to the Springboks or Proteas? Cricket World Cup is played by 10 countries with the top four going to the semi-finals and then the finals. Can you see how difficult it is for African football national teams to qualify for the World Cup, let alone to compete or even win it? This is, by no means, taking anything away from the Springboks because we are all happy and proud of their wonderful achievement. This just seeks to open everyone's eyes to the reality and someone has to say this.
As a football supporter, what the Springboks have done makes me jealous because it is something I wish we can all live to see done by our Bafana in our lifetime. With football being the number one sport in the country, can you imagine how it would feel for our Bafana to add to what coach Jacques Nienaber and his team have achieved? Can you imagine the Proteas adding another World Cup trophy, Mamelodi Sundowns winning the inaugural African Football League and the Women's Champions League and Bafana going on to win next year's Afcon in Cote d'Ivoire? Wouldn't that be just great for our country?
As football supporters, we desperately need something to satiate our appetite. It has been too long without our senior national team winning anything as well as they've been playing under coach Hugo Broos, as they're yet to lose a game in more than 10 fixtures. What rugby has done is special and something that football has no option but to emulate, soon! When the Springboks play, everyone stands still and watches, whether they follow rugby or not, and that's what used to happen with our football.
The post-match speeches, the raw emotions and commitment we saw on the field is what this country is all about. That's why everyone fell in love with the Boks and supported them throughout. Legend has it that our teams in the 1970s could hold their own against anyone in the world. With a number of international friendlies played then, this theory was proved to be true and one wonders had it not been for the devilish segregation policies, at the time, what would have happened to South African football? Where would we be in the rankings? If England are still basking in the sun of the 1966 FIFA World Cup triumph, when some of us were not even born yet, and it still counts as one of their historic moments, can you imagine what would have become of our football if the playing fields were levelled?
Let us all celebrate our Springboks but just not at the expense of Bafana Bafana. Good luck to Mamelodi Sundowns in their second leg of the AFL final against Wydad Casablanca on Sunday, as they went 2-1 down away from home on Saturday in the first leg. All the best, Ka Bo Yellow!
Heartfelt condolences to Bonginkosi Ntuli's family, teammates, friends, AmaZulu FC and the whole football fraternity. His passing, especially at such a young age, leaves a huge void. May his soul rest in peace.
Cheers,
VeeJay
