The sin of Schadenfreude

The sin of Schadenfreude

18 Feb 2013

MARK KEOHANE, in Business Day Newspaper, writes South African rugby should be about hope and not hatred.

In Canberra a South African rugby celebration continues to grow in excess. In Port Elizabeth this Saturday a celebration unrivalled in the unified history of South African rugby should also be about excess.

But individual and team triumph will be torture to a resentful audience. The freedom fighters are apparently the terrorists and Schadenfreude will be the champagne of choice when the Southern Kings play the Western Force in their Super Rugby debut.

The majority of South African rugby supporters have expressed their hatred for the Kings. Hate is the word that has constantly been emphasized, with bloggers delighting in supporting anyone who will be playing against the Kings. There is so much hatred, in especially the perceived failure of Luke Watson, who will captain the Kings this season.

It is a hatred so many white South Africans in the rugby community felt – and feel – towards former SA under 21 captain Clyde Rathbone when he moved to Australia and played for the Wallabies.

This hatred was extended to 2007 World Cup-winning coach Jake White when he left South Africa last year to coach the Brumbies.

Watson’s crime was to criticize Afrikaners in 2007 and to say they controlled South African rugby. The blasphemy was to say he never grew up in a household that celebrated the Springbok jersey, and it was seen as a symbol of oppression. He told a group in informal discussion he loved the idea of playing for his country, but the Springbok jersey, in its traditional guise, was something he could vomit on given the historical association it held from his up bringing.

He was subsequently trialed, condemned, convicted and sentenced within sectors of South African media and society, as the sinner without a soul.

These same individuals also prayed to God for their own redemption for being vulnerable to daily mistakes in life choices. These same people are oblivious to the contradiction and hypocrisy.

Watson has publicly apologized to Afrikaners for his words. He has said he would have articulated his thoughts differently had he been more mature. He has said he wants to be a part of all that is good about rugby and South Africa. He said he was used as a political pawn and his move to England, where he captained Bath for two seasons, made him realize just how much he was used by politicians and how he allowed himself to be used.

He has said that in hindsight he would have done so many things differently. He has said sorry.

Watson has spoken of the privilege and responsibility to live in South Africa and to be leading the pioneers of Kings rugby.

The young Watson, schooled to oppose the Springbok jersey, is very different to the Watson of today who makes his own choices and wants to make a contribution to the life South African rugby and South African society as it is, and not to helping end what once was.

Apparently youngsters can’t make mistakes, can’t admit to them and can’t expect any forgiveness if they happen to be Luke Watson. They can only expect continued hatred from those whose joy is defined by another’s perceived failure.

In a unified South African rugby community, the division has never been stronger. How sad for those unwilling to forgive and incapable of celebrating change, be it in a view or in an action.

How sad for our rugby that so many have voiced their pleasure at the prospect of foreign team stuffing up the Kings. What betrayal to a young group of South African rugby players.

Port Elizabeth, this weekend is the greatest story in South African rugby’s youthful unity, but when the parents (SARU) can’t celebrate the first steps of the child they bought into this world, it can’t be expected of the haters not to indulge in Schadenfreude.

Clyde Rathbone’s comeback from injury, depression and a dark place in his life is a celebration, as is White’s wonderful influence as coach of the Brumbies.

They are South Africans, as is Watson and the Kings, but those unaffected by their respective choices, triumphs and mistakes, detest them for these choices, triumphs and mistakes.

Euphoria for so many within South African rugby is proportionate to the relative failure of others.

It is as if they can only be successful if another fails.

Resentment ravages redemption and Schadenfreude is the stimulant when it is the sin in our rugby – and society.


905 Comments

Pages: « 1 … 6 7 8 9 10 [11] 12 13 14 15 16 … 19 » Show All

  • 501.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:08 pm

    ” WP rugby did not rate Hoffman, thus
    they let him go, he said the same about
    JSadie.”

    porkies.

  • 502.S_K: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:08 pm

    @Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-486: aha,that’s the Sharkslover I like!let it all out bro.The timid Sharkslover sucks,don’t you think? Don’t let these Capies get the better of you ,Sharkslover . :D

  • 503.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:09 pm

    @nortierd-495: The fans formerly known as “Leeutjies”. Look, Guppies will take whatever they can get at this stage….. Those Leeutjies might just put ‘bums on seats’ and take Guppiestadium to a few local attendance records?

    5 000 Lions fans

    +

    the regular 12 000 guppies

    and voila: fucktheroyalshow – Dynamite Park has 17 000 peeps in the stands.

  • 504.RL: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:10 pm

    I just had a look at the fixture list.

    Queens will be setting a new record for the most defeats in a single season – 16 moerings coming their way.

    Glad that they will have that @(-_-)@ on thier backs forever.

  • 505.ufo: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:10 pm

    @Nikita-496:

    and how is nikita fairing since the keo hsm divorce…

    hsm got the other kids… who got custody of you…?

  • 506.Scorp1o: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:10 pm

    The Stormers are the first team to announce their lineup for this weekend’s 2nd Round of Super Rugby action. Check out this link for the STORMERS team for their big clash against the Bulls on Friday night:

    http://wp.me/P2QxT1-3S

  • 507.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:11 pm

    @nortierd-500: Top quality gear that Mr Price sh y te.

    (I reckon Mssr Price gets more returns than SARS)

    Guppies…..love ‘em.

  • 508.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:11 pm

    @ufo-505: Puma, SharksLover & Sharksgirl!!!

    :lol:

  • 509.S_K: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:13 pm

    @Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-489: a bungee jump after every game?

  • 510.gunther: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:13 pm

    @ufo-505:

    She’s the ginger haired stepchild.

    :lol:

  • 511.Nikita: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:15 pm

    @ufo-505:

    I’m a free agent. I’m considering a position with the weather bureau as pollution analyst. Don’t know why they are so keen on me though. ;)

  • 512.Ashraf Ismail: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:15 pm

    15. Jaco Taute
    14. Gio Aplon
    13. Jean de Villiers (captain)
    12. Damian de Allende
    11. Bryan Habana
    10. Elton Jantjies
    9. Nic Groom
    8. Duane Vermeulen
    7. Rynhardt Elstadt
    6. Siya Kolisi
    5. Andries Bekker
    4. De Kock Steenkamp
    3. Pat Cilliers
    2. Deon Fourie
    1. Steven Kitshoff
    Reserves:
    16. Martin Bezuidenhout
    17. Frans Malherbe
    18. Don Armand
    19. Nizaam Carr
    20. Dewaldt Duvenage
    21. Gerhard van den Heever
    22. Joe Pietersen
    Referee Jaco Peyper

  • 513.ufo: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:15 pm

    @BrumbiesBoy-508:

    :lol:

    no, i think the savvy nikita would have sued for emancipation from the parents…

  • 514.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:15 pm

    @Nikita-496: It’s a miracle……. :) I just want them to congratulate WP on their Currie Cup win before they hissyfit and waddle their way to the exit once more….
    (So don’t fuckwiththem…..until that ‘congrats’ is here…for all to see…)

  • 515.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:16 pm

    haha, i see a lot more brokeback whining about the sharks than the kings :lol:

    looks like the team getting under their skins is the DYNAMITE!

    yeah baby lets rip some brokeback hearts out :lol:

  • 516.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:16 pm

    Sheez, HG leaves for 2 seconds and its a WP symbiotic wankfest in here.

    Allstormerssupportersaremeetinglaterforamassfistoff.

  • 517.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:16 pm

    @BrumbiesBoy-508: :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

  • 518.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:17 pm

    @Nikita-496: hey you have you signed the kyoto protocol? :-)

  • 519.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:17 pm

    @The Rangerman-515: You already tried that in October…. didn’t work.

    Another strategy possibly?

  • 520.Ashraf Ismail: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:17 pm

    Elton and Groom should be a interesting halfback pairing.
    Four new players in the Stormers backline Groom,Elton,Da Allende & Taute hopefully we the tries will flow

  • 521.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:17 pm

    @Nikita-511: because you dont have the face for tv?

    :lol:

  • 522.grant10: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:18 pm

    At least that Stormers pack will be able to fight fire with fire….

  • 523.ufo: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:18 pm

    @gunther-510:

    :lol:

    sheesh… what does that make ryan, jon and the rest…? they must be mighty pretty boys… :lol:

    :wink:

    @Nikita-511:

    :lol:

    all the best with whatever you are doing…

  • 524.Sharks_are_gonna_get_you: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:18 pm

    @The Rangerman-515: @John Galt-516:
    :lol: yup typically the same old low IQ Brokeback chirps, See they associate themselves with lowlifes like Poodlefcuker. Hulle se soort soek soort.

  • 525.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:19 pm

    @The Rangerman-521:
    Haha, yip. A face for radio and a voice for print media.
    Thats why she blogs.

  • 526.gunther: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:19 pm

    @ufo-523:

    Adopted.

  • 527.Nikita: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:19 pm

    @The Rangerman-521:

    Focus Rangerman ;)

  • 528.Sharks_are_gonna_get_you: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:20 pm

    @grant10-522: Grant the Stormer back is much better off now then it was last year, I don’t see them struggling like they did when SUPER BROK was the TH.

  • 529.S_K: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:20 pm

    @Nikita-496: are you saying that Plumtree is Noah ?

  • 530.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:21 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-519: huh?

    we smashed your team all over the park last year barring one game ruckles.

    more of the same please sharkies.

    7 out of 10 wins vs the brokebacks in superrugby is significant eh? :lol:

  • 531.Nikita: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:21 pm

    @ufo-523:

    Thanks. Now I’m just a blogger. So fire away. Run Forest run. ;)

  • 532.Sharks_are_gonna_get_you: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:21 pm

    @The Rangerman-521: How was that trip you just came back from??

  • 533.ufo: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:21 pm

    @gunther-526:

    :lol:

    foster homes… :roll:

    but what can you do…?

    :lol:

  • 534.Nikita: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:22 pm

    @Transformation-518:

    Jeez yes of course.

  • 535.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:23 pm

    @Nikita-531: I’ve got a job for you, but i have to warn you, it kinda blows.

    Sorry couldn’t resist.

  • 536.ufo: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:24 pm

    @Nikita-531:

    this we know…

    but you’re not being paid to be ‘just a blogger’…
    so was simply wishing you well for whatever is paying you to be ‘just a you’…

  • 537.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:24 pm

    who got man of the match in the Test gister?

  • 538.Nikita: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:24 pm

    @stormersboy-535: ‘

    :shock: You of all people.

  • 539.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:24 pm

    @Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-524: @John Galt-525: sheesh, the brokeback crows are out in force today?

    seems they are a little tense.

    heres hoping the bulls ram them with a texan longhorn.

    @Nikita-527: is “free agent” a euphemism for unemployed? :lol:

  • 540.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:25 pm

    @Ashraf Ismail-520: Groom’s name is like a beacon of hope.

    Even the super talented Jantjies would have struggled with Duvenage’s service.

    @Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-524: Take us through your meltdown and self enforced ‘exile’ (use the timeline format)? You owe it to us? There might be a book deal?

    “Tantrums, Panties and Losing the CC”?

    I’m waiting for the congrats old fella……..cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep…..

  • 541.S_K: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:25 pm

    @Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-524: beauuuuuuuuuuutiful. :D . Welcome back,mate.

  • 542.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:25 pm

    @Nikita-538: Yes I know. It was too good to pass up though. Mea Culpa.

  • 543.Nikita: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:26 pm

    @ufo-536:

    Now be honest UFO. What role did I really have? Apart from a few Tat two’s. :lol:

  • 544.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:26 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-540: Duvenhage ran at Fly-half at today’s practice, he will be cover on the bench.

  • 545.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:26 pm

    @Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-532: leaving on thursday morning bud.

    fish going DOWN!

    like a brokeback in the “shed”

    :lol:

  • 546.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:27 pm

    @The Rangerman-530: We won the one you wanted most…………the CC final.
    Super rugby? Well sad to say – neither of us have bragging rights there. No such thing as a ‘best loser’….
    When the Stormers or Sharks win it…bragging rights have merit.

  • 547.Nikita: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:27 pm

    @The Rangerman-539:

    Probably :lol:

  • 548.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:29 pm

    @Nikita-531: The guppies won’t like this…. :) (Which makesitfuckingawesome for the rest of us)

  • 549.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:29 pm

    ok, ok, stormerfans.

    you are not all brokebacks.

    i was just firing a few salvos at the brokebacks who are :lol:

    i hope your team suffers no injuries this weekend.

  • 550.Sharks_are_gonna_get_you: Reply to this comment
    18 Feb 2013, 16:29 pm

    @The Rangerman-545: :lol: Ranger, take no prisoners boet, have a safe abd great trip.

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