Keo.co.za tour diary – Week 1
22 Aug 2010
Elvis impersonators, hip-hopping All Blacks and the inevitable comparison of rugby to ballet.
In a somewhat subdued build-up to a momentous Test, the spicy moments have been few and far between. On Tuesday, All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen had a go at Flip van der Merwe, describing the Bok lock as a yellow-card risk, and Van der Merwe responded on Thursday by saying rugby isn’t ballet. Why do South Africans always resort to this comparison in order to make their point?
I recall somebody from the ballet fraternity throwing down a challenge to Peter de Villiers after the coach made a slight against ballet during the Lions series last year. If you consider that many American football stars experiment with ballet to improve their balance, perhaps the Boks should have taken up the challenge. It certainly wouldn’t have made them any worse.
If the thought of De Villiers in a tutu gets you chuckling, the sight of our national coach in Elvis attire would have had you choking on your cornflakes. A Gauteng paper ran a cartoon on Saturday with De Villiers dressed like the King, singing ‘Don’t be cruel’ to a pack of menacing All Blacks. The cartoon was in reference to a record number of Elvis impersonators attending Saturday’s clash at Soccer City.
It was a day for records as a crowd of 94 000 crammed into the stadium to watch this historic Test. Each patron was handed a flag so as to break the record for waving the most flags at half-time, and each person was allotted a beer in celebration of John Smit’s 100th Test.
The ale would have gone down smooth in the first half when the Boks had the advantage, but by the final whistle, I’m sure the sponsors made more than their money back as South Africans drowned their sorrows following a third consecutive defeat to New Zealand.
The result and annoying sideshows aside, it was a fantastic occasion and one can only hope it’s the first of many. The energy inside the Calabash was indescribable as Smit traipsed down the tunnel, and the emotional greeting he received, well, it’s an honour befitting a man of his achievements.
The singing of the South African national anthem must have intimidated the All Blacks, and Smit said afterward that he couldn’t hear a single word of the haka because of the chanting partisan crowd. This is a special stadium, and the fact that the All Blacks overcame the crowd said plenty for their ability.
What was disappointing was the short supply of Sowetans. Saru needs to ensure there are more locals present in future if they’re serious about developing the game. More local music would have lent the occasion a distinctive Sowetan flavour. Typically, patrons were bombarded with a line-up that was predominantly Afrikaans, some performers singing golden oldies like ‘Sweet Caroline’. You had to keep reminding yourself that you weren’t at Ellis Park or Loftus.
But you know you’re in ghetto when you’re driving through the area around the stadium. Ryan Vrede and I went out to Soccer City to collect our accreditation on Wednesday, and we weren’t fooled by the deserted streets and multiple billboards proclaiming: ‘Joburg, we are ready’. Some of the traffic lights shine both red and green simultaneously, and it’s surprising that there aren’t more fender benders. One traffic light took five minutes to change. ‘Perhaps it ensures hijackers have a decent opportunity?’ Vrede offered. We laughed, but maybe there’s some truth in that statement.
Israel Dagg latched onto a Ma’a Nonu pass and crashed over for the winning try, but not before putting his hand up in celebration. Television replays will confirm that this act of foolishness so nearly led to him dotting down past the dead ball line, and in the aftermath, his team-mates fined him accordingly.
The All Blacks broke tradition by spending the entire week on the Highveld, and even though Graham Henry played down the move afterwards citing the need for 10 days to adapt to altitude, it should become the norm on future tours. In their down time, the All Blacks could be spotted in and around Sandton, signing autographs and eating large quantities of food that can’t be part of a normal sportsman’s diet.
At a restaurant on Nelson Mandela Square on Wednesday, the management sat at a separate table with Henry at the head, while the north island boys faced a television showing SuperSport Blitz. As Jerome Kanio tucked into a heart-attack on a bun, the rest of the players were glued to the screen. The Pierre Spies OUTsurance advert, where the Bok No 8 smashes through walls and roughs up would be car thieves, had them in stitches. Too bad Spies couldn’t produce a performance where art imitated life on Saturday.
The All Blacks are well respected in the South African community, and even their coaches were continuously snapped and pestered for autographs. Strutting around Sandton City dressed like a famous rapper, Piri Weepu was quickly mobbed by kids and adults alike. The tourists made a beeline for the food court and once again experimented with alternative meals. John Afoa polished off a falafel and it was bizarre that the heavy-set Franks brothers were the only players who went for the healthy option of Kauai.
By Jon Cardinelli, in Johannesburg
40 Comments
22 Aug 2010, 11:10 am
When you’re good, you’re GOOD.
22 Aug 2010, 11:10 am
Elvis Dragons
22 Aug 2010, 11:13 am
See?
22 Aug 2010, 11:19 am
‘Israel Dagg latched onto a Ma’a Nonu pass and crashed over for the winning try, but not before putting his hand up in celebration. Television replays will confirm that this act of foolishness so nearly led to him dotting down past the dead ball line, and in the aftermath, his team-mates fined him accordingly.’
lol, I thought he was going to run out of space too
y jaw began to drop, but fair play he got it down
22 Aug 2010, 11:22 am
JC admit it you could not even hear yourself think inside what will become the Calabash Den for the mighty Lions. I have never seeing so many in one place ever.
22 Aug 2010, 11:32 am
No vuvuzelas and Neil Diamond ditties on the tannoy? Not much in the “broadening the support base” department, is it?
22 Aug 2010, 11:38 am
“What was disappointing was the short supply of Sowetans.”
huh? There were 44000 tickets available to the public and if ‘Sowetans’ wanted to come they could have bought tickets, not so?
Next week how many Mamelodians can we expect to see at Lotus? There are thousands of unsold tickets that as you say SARU can make available to locals.
22 Aug 2010, 11:43 am
Smit traipsed down the tunnel, more like he rolled or wobbled down.
22 Aug 2010, 11:48 am
hahaha nice, i can imagine the all black players laughung themselves to tears after seeing the stupid spies ads
22 Aug 2010, 12:12 pm
JC, I really do not understand your jab at Soccer City being in Soweto, its not, its in Nasrec, Ormonde, Orlando Stadium is in Soweto. In fact when you drive around the stadium, there is nothing “ghetto” at all.
22 Aug 2010, 12:21 pm
the look on israel dagg’s face in sunday times’ sport section is priceless!
the boy is goofy looking hehe classic snap
22 Aug 2010, 13:17 pm
@skopskiet(yliad)-8:
Give it a break – the guy has done so much for SA Rugby & you should respect that. He has saved the day on more than a few occasions.
No one knows what the hell goes on within SA rugby and he has held the team together in spite of all the bullshit that goes on.
No one minds a comment on performance but why do you have to make an arsehole of yourself.
Grab another happy meal – the toys are free
22 Aug 2010, 13:39 pm
Those OUTsurance ads get me thinking… ‘if Pierre Spiese stayed at home… maybe the Boks would win LOL
If Habana stayed at home, maybe the Boks defensive line wouldn’t be a mess.
22 Aug 2010, 14:07 pm
Oh Yeah – yeah ye of double standards, the fatty is no hero of mine, maybe he’s one of yours but unlike you and the vast majority of happy clappy saffa sentimental doodle bug fool idiots I prefer to see reality and not sentimental garbage being portrayed as soft soaping hero worship.
Smit is fat outa shape and wrong for boks progress, if you can’t see that much then you same as all the fools who rather lose in the name of goody two shoes legendary hero worshipping than win playing the game at the top end of the scale.
I got no time for feeble clay footed hero’s, you wanna put them up on your mantlepiece or pedestals and pay obeisances daily or nightly be my guest. If I see an out of shape obese out of condition overweight captain trying to milk some more far fetched adulation out of a hoodwinked star gazing stupefied rugby audience then I call him for what he is.
Like I said he’s no hero of mine, rugby should be played in the present tense not the past and John Smit should have been put out to pasture long way back, can guarantee we would have fared a while lot better the last 6 internationals we went and LOST! Dumb imbecilic sentimentalist idiots supreme.
22 Aug 2010, 14:28 pm
I hate the Boks being second best to the All Blacks. Always have. Always will. Our rugby at provincial level is too good for this kak. Feels like I had toasted **** sandwich and ****** piss for supper last night. And who the hell are those South Africans singing the New Zealand national anthem?
22 Aug 2010, 14:33 pm
@BishopsOD(BishopsOD)-15: The Saffas from the Western cape who are confused you mean?
Therein lies the problem with SA, those kind can’t get a passport and yet detest black and white and sit in the middle.
22 Aug 2010, 14:36 pm
@BishopsOD(BishopsOD)-15: Sad bunch those coloureds in the Cape
22 Aug 2010, 14:47 pm
@skopskiet(yliad)-14: you know I do not always agree with you as I think that most times you are high on Tik but in this instance you are right. I too have no time for yesterdays hero’s and today’s has-beens. Smitty the fatty must do the honourable thing and retire with immediate effect, step aside for Bismark, Chilliboy and the next generation of hooker’s.
22 Aug 2010, 14:49 pm
@JL1(JL1)-17: you are a racist scumbag…..truly should be ashamed of yourself…..disgusting man…..shame on you!
22 Aug 2010, 14:50 pm
@RedLion is born again(RL)-18: Chilliboy right now is not there on merit, he’s been injured. The problem with SA is they seem so desperate for black people to play they would rather play someone or have someone at coahc just to tick the box and not the best guy for the job.
Bad cycle, use the best available, eventually it will be more black than white, if black people want to play rugby that is.
22 Aug 2010, 14:54 pm
@JL1(JL1)-17:
Jl1,those South Africans singing the NZ National Anthem is South Africans own fault and your post has just shown why they go for a team that gives them joy as your country doesnt
22 Aug 2010, 14:56 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-20: IMHO I think that Chiliboy is better than Smit, really, he might not be as good as Bismarck or a Liebenberg but he is way better than Smit.
b.t.w do you think that Smit is in the team on merrit?
22 Aug 2010, 14:58 pm
@RedLion is born again(RL)-22: Chilliboy far better than Smit….how on earth smit can dare to look himself in the mirrow and continue playing is beyond comprehension.
22 Aug 2010, 15:05 pm
@RedLion is born again(RL)-22: Of course not, Smit is pure craptastic, awful, quota player filling the role of fat boy (the token you see in movies who never gets the girl)…
This has NOTHING to do with Chilli though, he is, at best, about the 5th best we have, not that is stops guys like Jnuarie or Snor himself being in the Boks.
Merit does not exist in SA>
22 Aug 2010, 15:08 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-24: craptastic
22 Aug 2010, 15:23 pm
@grant10(grant10)-23:
Smit is a MUST in a Quota selected Boks team, we discussed it many times before Grant, ‘it’s NOT just all about Rugby’ as the former Captain Wyanad Classen once put it.
22 Aug 2010, 18:33 pm
Jislaaikit, the Habana and Spies adverts are cringeworthy… in the current climate, of course. Those two better realise that in all team sports at international level, when times are tough, the previously indispensable are the ones to be chucked out with the water. Just saying. This action, tough as it is, usually gets carried out by an honest coach.
22 Aug 2010, 18:36 pm
An experience I will never forget! A pity the script was written before the final whistle blew and Smit forgot to turn up and receive the accolades.
The crowd support was awesome and with all due respect – left disappointed. It is an 80 minute game and playing for 75 is just not good enough. Sorry to say it but the captain was terrible on the day.
I will no longer waste my money buying these expensive tickets only to leave disappointed AND then I have to read how certain supporters accept mediocrity as OK.
Time for the new guard.
22 Aug 2010, 18:38 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-26:
It’s about winning and winning becomes a habit – as does losing. Time for accountability.
22 Aug 2010, 18:40 pm
@OhYeah(OhYeah)-12:
Noone has said he hasn’t – but knowing when to take your countries needs before yours is very important. The reason why you won’t find any AB’s in the 100 club! They know when to leave with a reputation.
22 Aug 2010, 22:24 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-9: Get off the race wagon.Grow up!
22 Aug 2010, 22:29 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-9: Sorry Transformation!.As I rad the rest of the “opinions” I realized you were not the only one.For heavens sake stop the race issues people.
22 Aug 2010, 22:37 pm
@grant10(grant10)-19: ?..and you reckon you got any class, show me that they were not coloureds, yes, thought you could not
Sad not to support your own country, despicable where I am from
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-21: …and you are an expert on all things SA
Get a life, you sing the anthem where you are a citizen
22 Aug 2010, 22:44 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-30: If you are not good enough for the full 80 min , you should not be playing .Especially against the ABs.
JS should only be in the team if he is the best No 2 in the country.HE IS NOT.Admitted he is an icon in SA , but so is Frik du Preez, Mannetjies Roux , Morne du Plessis and many others.BUT they are not playing anymore.
JS is welcome in the team when, and if he regains his best form.Until then he should be rested(temp or perm)
Just by the way. Joe Cardinelli. I am sure Frik was implicating the Aussies with his ballet comment.(Well balanced but always crying foul when the rugby gets hard . Stephen Larkum the exception)
23 Aug 2010, 00:45 am
@JL1(JL1)-33:
I am not an expert on anything SA,but put yourself in their shoes and then come back to me.
23 Aug 2010, 02:42 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-4: C’mon BH, as if he wouldnt know.
The BIG QUESTION is now this. If SA lose to the Wallbies in both games will this be the darkest time ever for SA rugby?
23 Aug 2010, 02:55 am
Another thought for the obsessive knockers of the AB’s is this.
If we are fortunate enough to win another WC, before SA or Australia, squaring the so called ledger to two a piece, we will then have claim to the undisputed best team on this planet in every facet of every tournament ever held.(even though we are now in our eyes)… Now where will all the knockers be then- like a group of saggy chested old woman wishing for a miracle.
23 Aug 2010, 04:12 am
Maybe, just maybe, the bad times are about to end for the Wallabies. On their annual trip to South Africa, the Wallabies have grown used to losing belongings, with Johannesburg Airport often a Bermuda Triangle for baggage.
However, when the Wallabies eventually arrived in Cape Town yesterday, only a few bags had gone astray and just the occasional player was complaining about being down to their last pair of jocks and socks.
That caused team spirits to brighten, as did a team get-together in their waterfront hotel to watch the Springboks-All Blacks match live from Soweto.
A viewing of the All Blacks’ dramatic victory even brought brief smiles to the Wallabies’ bedraggled, jetlagged faces. Here was confirmation they had the ingredients to inflict further pain on the Springboks over the next fortnight when they meet them in Pretoria and Bloemfontein.
The All Blacks proved that if your conditioning is at the required level, success can be achieved at altitude. The most notable factor of the Test which confirmed the All Blacks another Tri Nations trophy was that the visitors were considerably fitter than the home team.
While the Springboks appeared to be watching the clock for the final quarter of the Test, and several of their forwards started to fall behind in general play, the All Blacks picked up the tempo. The lungs may have been bursting, but the All Blacks found their second wind, scoring two tries in the final three minutes.
The Wallabies showed in their last Test against the All Blacks in Christchurch that while they lack the finishing skills of the New Zealanders, they are not in their shadow as far as fitness is concerned. In the 80th minute of that match the Wallabies were still hovering, and their focus on conditioning this season should work in their favour when they head to the Highveld later in the week.
As importantly, the Soweto Test showed that if the Wallabies persevere with their wide and fast expansive game, which worked so well in Brisbane last month, it could so easily lead to further rewards and possibly their first win at altitude since 1963.
While the Springboks defence yesterday was far more pugnacious, and their breakdown work had dramatically improved since travelling through New Zealand and Australia, South Africa were often exposed whenever the All Blacks went wide.
In the middle of the field, the Springboks were on the mark. But they often lacked numbers near either sideline, which enabled Richie McCaw and Israel Dagg in the final minutes to turn around a 22-17 deficit and then defeat the home team in the most demoralising of circumstances.
The clue is there. The Wallabies have to keep doing what they did in Brisbane. They have to show they have the composure, skills and belief to back up, run like the wind and win two, possibly even three, in a row against the Springboks.
(Greg Growden, Sydney Morning Herald)
23 Aug 2010, 04:35 am
Now let’s talk about the streak. And throw into the discussion the small matter of the All Blacks completing the first perfect test year in the professional rugby era. Both are well and truly on after the weekend’s heroics in Soweto.
The All Blacks hate dialogue about things like winning streaks and test records for they involve looking beyond the mythical “Next Game”. There’s an almost pathological insistence in test rugby of never peering long term out of pure fear that you’re going to jinx yourself by taking your eye off the looming obstacle.
But, damnit, the run that Graham Henry’s men are on in 2010, and the rugby that they’re playing, it would be remiss of us not to start flapping the lips about a couple of remarkable marks now in their sights.
The Boks swept, thanks to Sunday’s 29-22 nailbiter, and the Wallabies surely awaiting a similar fate, it is time for Graham Henry’s All Blacks to reclaim one of the great records in test rugby.
They have currently won their last 14 test matches on the bounce, a run that stretches back to their defeat to the Springboks in Hamilton last September.
Within reach is the test record of 18 set by – would you believe – Lithuania over a five-year period through until May this year when they dropped a World Cup qualifier to the Ukraine.
To be fair, most rugby fans worth a lick recognise the real record as the 17 held jointly by the 1965-69 All Blacks and the 1997-98 Springboks.
(Marc Hinton, Stuff/Dominion Post)
24 Aug 2010, 10:47 am
@JL1(JL1)-17: U a sad racist. Get alife. I love the boks , they love the ABS so what ? What’s it got to do with you ? Did our forfathers not bleed so that we can excercise our democratic right ?
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