Backing Bafana

Backing Bafana

17 May 2010

Rugby fans must come to football’s party.

When the 1995 Rugby World Cup was held in South Africa, the sport and the Springboks deservedly took centre stage. South Africans, black and white, threw their support behind the team, which is why Francois Pienaar thanked all 42 million of his countrymen, and not just the 62 000 at Ellis Park, before lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.

This year’s Fifa World Cup gives us the chance to revive that spirit of unity and goodwill, which is why SA Rugby magazine has a football-themed cover this month. The Springboks, including Pierre Spies, have pledged their support to Bafana Bafana, and we urge all rugby fans to do the same.

Click here to see what’s in the new issue

Our national football team had a disappointing build-up to the tournament, but so did Pienaar’s Boks before their World Cup campaign. They weren’t expected to progress past the quarter-final stage but a win against the Wallabies in the opening match at Newlands gave them a massive confidence boost and put them on the ‘high road’ to the final.

If Bafana beat Mexico in the opening match of the World Cup at Soccer City they could go on to reach the second round, and their encouraging performances against Spain and Brazil (ranked No 1 and 2 in the world respectively) at last year’s Confederations Cup showed they can perform on a big stage.

However, while the majority of South Africans will be suffering from football fever in June, the Springboks will still demand attention. Their Tests in June, against Wales in Cardiff, France in Cape Town, and Italy in Witbank and East London, raise several interesting questions.

Peter de Villiers is expected to select some overseas-based players for the game against Wales as it takes place a week after the Super 14 final. But will that new-look team have enough time to train together and if the overseas-based players excel, will they then be considered for future Tests?

How will the first-choice Springbok side, presumably made up entirely of home-based players, perform in their first match together this season, against Six Nations champions France? In Jake White’s third year in charge of the Boks, Les Bleus’ 36-26 win at Newlands signalled the beginning of a nightmare 2006 season that almost cost White his job. De Villiers could find himself under similar pressure in his third year if the Boks suffer another defeat to the French.

The two Tests against Italy will give De Villiers a chance to rest his stars and give his fringe players game time. But which of the Bok midweek players who toured Europe last year will get another chance to impress? And will the coach reward Super 14 form?

Four consecutive wins would erase the bad memories of last year’s European tour and ensure John Smit’s side enter the Tri-Nations as favourites to defend their title. Let’s hope the Boks, and Bafana, will rise to the challenge in June.

By Simon Borchardt


121 Comments

Pages: « 1 [2] 3 » Show All

  • 51.Kobus Kitty: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 09:11 am

    @Simon(Simon)-46:

    Simon, did Spies actually want to drape that yellow filth over his shoulder or was he asked to?

    However, still a good cover and I think you managed to capture his image perfectly.

  • 52.siener: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 09:17 am

    I’ve been wearing my Bafana Bafana shirt every Friday for the past six months. I’ve got tickets for the first game in Cape Town (France v Uruguay). I was in Long Street on the evening of the final draw – it was one of the best parties I’ve ever been to in my life.

    Normally I am not much of a football fan, but this is going to be HUGE.

  • 53.fabio: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 09:20 am

    #51 – disappointing comment there KK. They (Bafana) may be perennial under achievers but to brand their jersey as “filth” is just cheap and nasty.

  • 54.Taahirah: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 09:25 am

    @fabio(fabio)-53: lol. You are new here arent you?

  • 55.siener: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 09:27 am

    @TheTackler(TheTackler)-42: I’m going to try my best to be in NZ in 2011 to witness the Rugby6 World Cup.

    But please let’s be realistic. There is a bit of a difference in scale between the RWC and the SWC. Even more so since it will be in NZ where most things are a bit smaller and less spectacular than in other countries.

    Saying the RWC is bigger than the SWC is a bit like saying your child’s primary school play is bigger than a show on Broadway – It might be more significant to you, but you can’t expect the rest of the world to share your delusion.

  • 56.fabio: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 09:31 am

    #54 nope! been here since day 1…just don’t comment so much anymore. But I am on in the background almost all day!!

  • 57.mainland: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 09:48 am

    the opening game is going to be huge. i feel the skeptics and mudslingers out there will shut up once they see how insane that game is going to be. From that game on the vibe is going to go into over drive.
    Stadiums 90 -95% sold out already.

    Cant wait for game day! I will be putting rugby on the back burner for a month.

    go bafana!

  • 58.mainland: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 09:53 am

    @Kobus Kitty
    51.
    Kobus kitty- shame on you… i have no respect for your type. scum of the earth you are but probably ‘sit voor in die kerk elke sondag’.
    go dig a hole.

  • 59.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 09:57 am

    you guys are lucky… it will be one long party… I would love to get to a SWC, just for the vibe…

    any sporting event of this magnitude is fantastic to experience, I had the pleasure of experiencing the Olympics here in Syd in 2000…

  • 60.rossoneri: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:02 am

    @mainland(mainland)-58: KK doesn’t like black people, and maori’s. It’s well documented on this blog. It’s not worth upsetting yourself about. Why do you think the rest of us are not commenting.

  • 61.Taahirah: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:04 am

    @rossoneri(rossoneri)-60: Yep. Did you miss the signs? They are posted everywhere. “Dont feed the *******”. ;)

  • 62.mainland: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:05 am

    @rossoneri(rossoneri)-60: like an inverted shaun. bloody fools

  • 63.Taahirah: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:06 am

    Huh? bab-oons are censored as well? Freedom of speech? Constitution? Ring any bells Keo?

  • 64.Taahirah: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:06 am

    @mainland(mainland)-62: The lot of them. :)

  • 65.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:07 am

    @rossoneri(rossoneri)-60: @Taahirah(Taahirah)-61: @mainland(mainland)-62: at least you guys have us unbiased, level headed kiwis here to maintain some integrity on the blog

    LMFAO :lol:

  • 66.Simon: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:07 am

    @GreenLion(GreenLion)-50: There was some debate. In the end, we felt that you have to earn the right to wear the Bafana jersey (just as you have to earn the right to wear the Bok jersey). By having it over his shoulder, he’s actually showing Bafana respect.

  • 67.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:12 am

    @Simon(Simon)-66:

    Did you tell the Bok Selectors this? Don’t think they would understand though…Rubenheimer, etc.

  • 68.theOracle: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:12 am

    @siener(kriek)-55: that’s always been my argument over the years… soccer is much much bigger than any other single sport in the world IMO. The only global tournament which can compete with a SWC is maybe the Olympics. Maybe.

  • 69.Taahirah: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:12 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-65: You joke but on average the Kiwi population has a higher IQ percentage on this block, makes for good reading.

  • 70.Simon: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:14 am

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-67: No, I don’t think they would.

  • 71.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:15 am

    @Simon(Simon)-70:

    I know they won’t!

  • 72.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:17 am

    @Taahirah(Taahirah)-69:

    Luckily I live three blocks down – not on this block. I blog here though. ;) Smilies farking smilies.

  • 73.Taahirah: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:19 am

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-72: lol.

    How does one make the “blushing’ emoticon?

  • 74.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:20 am

    @Taahirah(Taahirah)-73:

    My bad mate. Just joking with you.

  • 75.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:21 am

    @Taahirah(Taahirah)-73:

    Just put oops between :

  • 76.GreenLion: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:22 am

    @Simon(Simon)-66: Ok, that makes a lot of sense.. Nice work!

  • 77.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:23 am

    @GreenLion(GreenLion)-76:

    Please tell me you are sarcastic!!!

  • 78.Taahirah: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:27 am

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-74: It does proof my point though! Ironic huh? :D

  • 79.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:30 am

    @Taahirah(Taahirah)-78:

    It does too. I often do the same mate. All well on Keo buddy.

  • 80.Kobus Kitty: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:39 am

    @rossoneri(rossoneri)-60:

    Oh yes, but it’s okay for you to support the Crusaders/All Blacks, hey? I wonder why you do support them.

  • 81.mainland: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:45 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-65: ive never responded to ur posts cause you have always been too levelheaded for me :)
    good luck for saturday

  • 82.rossoneri: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:47 am

    @Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-80: Hey. I told them that you have your views, and that’s it.

    Don’t attack me. I never told you to support Bafana Bafana, or buy tickets etc. It’s your choice, but to call the national jersey a dirt rag is offensive to other bloggers.

    If you have no interest in the World Cup, that is your story. Good Luck.

    As for me? I’ll cheer for whomever I choose. I have a Bafana jersey, but so too a Spanish one, One for Portugal, the Netherlands, England, Argentina and Brazil. My money, my choice.

    I support the Saders, have their jersey and I hope they do well on Saturday, my money, my choice.

  • 83.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:47 am

    @mainland(mainland)-81:

    His team is the Blues mate. They are out. I think he may support the Stormers this week.

  • 84.rossoneri: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:49 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-65: You have always been a breath of fresh air Poppa. :lol:

  • 85.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 10:59 am

    damn room smells sour . poppa must be in :lol: lol jk gm popps ^5

  • 86.quotas_sux: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 11:00 am

    i will not support bafana. not representative enough by my race. GO GERMANY!!

  • 87.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 11:04 am

    @quotas_sux(quota_conrad_jantjies_is_jorrie_muller)-86: growing up in the years we never played international sport , i always supported germany in the football

  • 88.mainland: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 11:07 am

    @quotas_sux(quota_conrad_jantjies_is_jorrie_muller)-86:

    pick a number between 10 and 15

  • 89.racheltjiedebeer: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 11:12 am

    Only jersey I have is one my Gran knitted for me last xmas.

    Red & green with a huge reindeer on the front.

  • 90.mainland: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 11:16 am

    @racheltjiedebeer(racheltjiedebeer)-89: lol

  • 91.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 11:17 am

    @racheltjiedebeer(racheltjiedebeer)-89:

    No Iceland missed out mate! Wear it in 3012 – think they might make it then. ;)

  • 92.Kobus Kitty: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 11:34 am

    @rossoneri(rossoneri)-82:

    You support your national soccer team that’s a pathetic joke yet you don’t support the world champion Springboks? I’m not the racist one here.

  • 93.mainland: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 11:43 am

    @Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-92: how many fingers am i holding up?

  • 94.fantasticbarnsmell: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 11:47 am

    all of you who support the Boks but not Bafana suck big time. you are the embodiment of the sad truth that there is still a huge rift in SA society today… a rift that still exists because of your pathetic attitudes.

  • 95.Hoops: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 11:53 am

    I will be shouting for evey game the bafana play, but my second team is Germany!

    The Bafana is not going to be there in round 2 so have to have someone to support!

    I was in Portugal on holiday in 2006 with the World cup in Germany. It was amazing how the Portugese supported their team. It was the first time I really got to mingle with serious soccer (footbal) supporters and it made my stay there even better!

    I hope we have the same experience this time around!

  • 96.Kobus Kitty: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 11:57 am

    @fantasticbarnsmell(fantasticbarnsmell)-94:

    It’s human nature to support winners.

  • 97.Bouts: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 12:06 pm

    Hey! I want any SA team to become the best, same goes for Bafana. I want them to succeed and reach the top. But realisticly that’s impossible. Currently ranked 90th. Come on guys… as much I’m hoping for a miracle, at this stage it’s ten levels above ‘impossible’.

    But I can’t stand football/soccer. So, I’ll check the results, but I won’t be watching it.

    All the best to all the African teams. (A few of them having a much better chance at succeeding)

  • 98.rossoneri: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 12:07 pm

    @Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-92: Keep trying to convince yourself of that Kobus. I have not called any South African National jersey a “dirty rag”. You are the one who did that.

  • 99.Bouts: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 12:22 pm

    Let’s see how Bafana’s current rating compares in the WC:

    African:
    - Algeria (31)
    - Cameroon (19)
    - Côte d’Ivoire (27)
    - Ghana (32)
    - Nigeria (20)
    - South Africa (90)

    N American:
    - Mexico (17)
    - United States (14)

    S American:
    - Argentina (7)
    - Brazil (1)
    - Chile (15)
    - Honduras (40)
    - Paraguay (30)
    - Uruguay (18)

    Europian:
    - Denmark (35)
    - England (8)
    - France (10)
    - Germany (6)
    - Greece (12)
    - Italy (5)
    - Netherlands (4)
    - Portugal (3)
    - Serbia (16)
    - Slovakia (38)
    - Slovenia (23)
    - Spain (2)
    - Switzerland (26)

    Oceania:
    - Australia (20)
    - New Zealand (78)

    Asian:
    - Japan (45)
    - N Korea (106)
    - S Korea (47)

    Hey. N Korea should be our target!

  • 100.heita: Reply to this comment
    17 May 2010, 12:26 pm

    @Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-96:

    So who were you supporting in the days when the Bulls were getting pomped blue?
    Those days when they were losing all their super rugby matches?

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Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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