Congratulations to South Africa
Oct 20th, 2007, 12:52 PM
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Congratulations to South Africa
Huge congratulations to South Africa from a Scotsman !!!!
Well done...magnificent achievement. Super 14 winners and world champions...I'm very much looking forward to my visit to my 2nd favourite country at the end of this year.
By the way, you owe us a beer, as Scotland was cheering you on, en masse !!
p.S. To my English cousins...my commiserations. Not the best team, but the best tournament mentality. A huge achievement to reach the final, but I'm afraid the best team won..
Well done...magnificent achievement. Super 14 winners and world champions...I'm very much looking forward to my visit to my 2nd favourite country at the end of this year.
By the way, you owe us a beer, as Scotland was cheering you on, en masse !!
p.S. To my English cousins...my commiserations. Not the best team, but the best tournament mentality. A huge achievement to reach the final, but I'm afraid the best team won..
Oct 20th, 2007, 01:09 PM
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I swear I saw Selwyn being interviewed on ITV last week before the semi-final.
It looked like him, and he talked about being 'proudly South African'.
Maybe..maybe if he reads this, he can confirm if it was him or not !
Note to all South Africans : When I turn up in Cape Town in 6 weeks time, I'm SCOTTISH...not English !
We're the one's that are delighted for you..please tell the difference !
)
It looked like him, and he talked about being 'proudly South African'.
Maybe..maybe if he reads this, he can confirm if it was him or not !
Note to all South Africans : When I turn up in Cape Town in 6 weeks time, I'm SCOTTISH...not English !
We're the one's that are delighted for you..please tell the difference !
)
Oct 20th, 2007, 09:11 PM
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Reminds me of the day we ran into a South African guide in the middle of nowhere in Botswana. He wasted no time in telling us the Springboks had just beaten the Wallabies. It didn't really matter that we cared nothing about rugby, as Aussie Rules is our sport...but it's another of the many reasons why I try to go where communications with the outside world are as difficult as possible 
John
John
Oct 21st, 2007, 12:22 AM
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Hari,
My TA has just returned from his latest Africa jaunt, about his third for the year...this time Kaingo (SLNP), Samburu (Kenya), Savuti and Zibalianja (Bots). He's a mad Rules fan and happens to support the team which won the championship this year...he was in Samburu when the grand final was played, and explained with his usual dry humour that coverage of the match there was as scarce as hen's teeth. As it should be...anybody who goes to see African wilderness areas yet still wants to remain in touch with home has an elevator which doesn't go to the top floor
John
My TA has just returned from his latest Africa jaunt, about his third for the year...this time Kaingo (SLNP), Samburu (Kenya), Savuti and Zibalianja (Bots). He's a mad Rules fan and happens to support the team which won the championship this year...he was in Samburu when the grand final was played, and explained with his usual dry humour that coverage of the match there was as scarce as hen's teeth. As it should be...anybody who goes to see African wilderness areas yet still wants to remain in touch with home has an elevator which doesn't go to the top floor
John
Oct 21st, 2007, 05:43 AM
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Hi John,
I remember during the 2003 World cup, we were at a lodge in the SSGR and they had a huge tv in the lounge for siesta hour and although i don't remember watching India play on tv ..... i vaguely remember a huge gathering for the SA game.
That was the same year, we got butchered by the aussies in the finals!
Hari
I remember during the 2003 World cup, we were at a lodge in the SSGR and they had a huge tv in the lounge for siesta hour and although i don't remember watching India play on tv ..... i vaguely remember a huge gathering for the SA game.
That was the same year, we got butchered by the aussies in the finals!
Hari
Oct 21st, 2007, 09:15 AM
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Hi all,
Macsporran, no that was not me in the ITV interview last week.
To say that I am over the moon as far as the Springbok WC victory is concerned would be the understatement of the year. We have been working towards winning this title for the past 4 years and now that we have won it I am so happy for the team, managament and every South Afican who supports the Springboks.
We were in Franschhoek for the weekend and watched the game in the town. You have no idea how worked up everybody was. In the morning before the game I even saw a man with his golden retriever where the dog's tail, forehead and part body was spray painted green so as to emulate the green and gold colours of our team. Everybody was sporting Springbok rugby jerseys and SA flags were flying everywhere. Then came the game with victory to the Boks and the celebrations tripled. We eventually got to bed at 03H00. A night never to be forgotten.
Now that we have won the world cup from what I have read the SA team will be splitting up in all directions going to play for foreign clubs etc. This could jeapordise their chances of playing in Springbok colours again however as much as I was enthralled with what happened yesterday I also believe that because of this potentioal breakup of the squad we are now at a crossroad to steadily change our team compliment in South Africa. If you look at the Springbok rugby team it is 90% white and thus being in a country where 85% of the people are of colour there certainly is something wrong in the racial makeup of our squad. If rugby administrators tell me that there are no talented black players in SA I would not believe them. I come from a HUGE rugby background and I think I have a pretty good idea of how the administrators of the game think. There are certainly some who would agree with me and others who would also agree but would do nothing about matters with regard to development of the sport. In the past two years there have been enormous strides made in terms of developing the sport for all and many of our provincial teams sport quite a number of players of all races and creeds. I do believe that this will result in a more reperesentative team, chosen on merit, in years to come and I can but only hope that this will be the case. When this well represented squad then win the world cup in New Zealand in 2011 (My wife, two friends and myself are hoping to follow the Springbok team for this tournament through New Zealand) then I truly will be even more proud (if that were possible) of the new Springbok team than the world victors right now. All I am saying is that we are now very proudly the world champions for the next 4 years and I hope that we capitalise on this situation to have an even more representative team in the future. So the next time you read about the Springbok team at a world cup I dont think you will hear that John Smit (who has been an outstanding rugby player and an incredible leader)is our captain but rather a young up and coming player by name of Chillyboy Ralepelle.
Thanks for all the congratulations on the is board. I am sure that other South Africans will thank you all too. We all feel great and very happy right now.
Very very very proudly part of the wonderful
nation of South Africa
Macsporran, no that was not me in the ITV interview last week.
To say that I am over the moon as far as the Springbok WC victory is concerned would be the understatement of the year. We have been working towards winning this title for the past 4 years and now that we have won it I am so happy for the team, managament and every South Afican who supports the Springboks.
We were in Franschhoek for the weekend and watched the game in the town. You have no idea how worked up everybody was. In the morning before the game I even saw a man with his golden retriever where the dog's tail, forehead and part body was spray painted green so as to emulate the green and gold colours of our team. Everybody was sporting Springbok rugby jerseys and SA flags were flying everywhere. Then came the game with victory to the Boks and the celebrations tripled. We eventually got to bed at 03H00. A night never to be forgotten.
Now that we have won the world cup from what I have read the SA team will be splitting up in all directions going to play for foreign clubs etc. This could jeapordise their chances of playing in Springbok colours again however as much as I was enthralled with what happened yesterday I also believe that because of this potentioal breakup of the squad we are now at a crossroad to steadily change our team compliment in South Africa. If you look at the Springbok rugby team it is 90% white and thus being in a country where 85% of the people are of colour there certainly is something wrong in the racial makeup of our squad. If rugby administrators tell me that there are no talented black players in SA I would not believe them. I come from a HUGE rugby background and I think I have a pretty good idea of how the administrators of the game think. There are certainly some who would agree with me and others who would also agree but would do nothing about matters with regard to development of the sport. In the past two years there have been enormous strides made in terms of developing the sport for all and many of our provincial teams sport quite a number of players of all races and creeds. I do believe that this will result in a more reperesentative team, chosen on merit, in years to come and I can but only hope that this will be the case. When this well represented squad then win the world cup in New Zealand in 2011 (My wife, two friends and myself are hoping to follow the Springbok team for this tournament through New Zealand) then I truly will be even more proud (if that were possible) of the new Springbok team than the world victors right now. All I am saying is that we are now very proudly the world champions for the next 4 years and I hope that we capitalise on this situation to have an even more representative team in the future. So the next time you read about the Springbok team at a world cup I dont think you will hear that John Smit (who has been an outstanding rugby player and an incredible leader)is our captain but rather a young up and coming player by name of Chillyboy Ralepelle.
Thanks for all the congratulations on the is board. I am sure that other South Africans will thank you all too. We all feel great and very happy right now.
Very very very proudly part of the wonderful
nation of South Africa
Oct 21st, 2007, 08:25 PM
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Selwyn
Typical response....not representative?
Is the NBA representative of the US population?.Remember Selwyn"white men can't jump''
You really make me sick with your political words of wisdom-stick to being a guide,apparently you are good at that.
""hUGE RYGBY BACKGROUND""-PLEASE SAVE US!!!
Anyway-Go bokke!!,maybe for the last time -who knows?
Typical response....not representative?
Is the NBA representative of the US population?.Remember Selwyn"white men can't jump''
You really make me sick with your political words of wisdom-stick to being a guide,apparently you are good at that.
""hUGE RYGBY BACKGROUND""-PLEASE SAVE US!!!
Anyway-Go bokke!!,maybe for the last time -who knows?
Oct 21st, 2007, 10:04 PM
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What makes Selwyn such a fantastic guide is his thorough understanding of the racial and political history of South Africa. I, for one, gained tremendously from his insight and am honored that he shared his thoughts with me. You would benefit from spending a day or two with him. He might open your eyes and mind just a tad.
I'll let Selwyn tell you about his rugby background.
I'll let Selwyn tell you about his rugby background.
Oct 22nd, 2007, 01:46 AM
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Thanks for the support Hills 27.
Safarinut,
You say "white men cant jump"! Well ask Victor Matfield if this is true. For those who dont know Victor Matfield is a Springbok who is without peer in the world of rugby when it comes to lineout jumping. Furthermore I would argue that as a lock forward, which is the position that he plays in the Springbok side, he is the best in the world. To this I have to add that he just happens to be white in pigmentation In summary and in my opinion sportsmen are not good at what they do because of the colour of their skin and if you feel differently Safarinut then so be it.
Anyway I have to agree with Safarinut in that I dont think that the debate about the colour of SA rugby players should be on this travel page and my apologies for bringing up the subject initially. My feelings re my first posting most certainly have not changed but I do believe that my withdrawal from the debate on this subject in this forum is appropriate as there is a place for all discussions and this debate should probably be taking place in another forum such as a sports blog.
etc.
Once again my huge thanks to all Fodorites for their congratulatiory notes on our SA World cup win.
Just my twopence worth.
Very proudly part of the wonderfulnation of South Africa
Safarinut,
You say "white men cant jump"! Well ask Victor Matfield if this is true.
For those who dont know Victor Matfield is a Springbok who is without peer in the world of rugby when it comes to lineout jumping. Furthermore I would argue that as a lock forward, which is the position that he plays in the Springbok side, he is the best in the world. To this I have to add that he just happens to be white in pigmentation In summary and in my opinion sportsmen are not good at what they do because of the colour of their skin and if you feel differently Safarinut then so be it.Anyway I have to agree with Safarinut in that I dont think that the debate about the colour of SA rugby players should be on this travel page and my apologies for bringing up the subject initially. My feelings re my first posting most certainly have not changed but I do believe that my withdrawal from the debate on this subject in this forum is appropriate as there is a place for all discussions and this debate should probably be taking place in another forum such as a sports blog.
etc.
Once again my huge thanks to all Fodorites for their congratulatiory notes on our SA World cup win.
Just my twopence worth.
Very proudly part of the wonderful
nation of South Africa
Oct 22nd, 2007, 05:54 AM
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Hi Selwyn,
I confess i bearly know much about the rugby, but, have been following the results as i know one or two die hard springbok fans in SA ......
I firmly believe the best team should take the field in any sport regardless of race or religion or color. It's best to lift the game of whatever minority and then draft them into the squad. That makes more sense.
For example, when i was in Durban during the 2003 cricket world cup, i was shocked when lots of Indians who were born and brought up in SA were not rooting for SA. Their logic being, Indians/South Asians never got a shot in the national team. Then in recent times, there has been Hashim Amla (South Asian decent) and he hasn't been nearly good enough. He is lucky to have been born in SA, as he would hv never made any of our teams ......
I confess i bearly know much about the rugby, but, have been following the results as i know one or two die hard springbok fans in SA ......
I firmly believe the best team should take the field in any sport regardless of race or religion or color. It's best to lift the game of whatever minority and then draft them into the squad. That makes more sense.
For example, when i was in Durban during the 2003 cricket world cup, i was shocked when lots of Indians who were born and brought up in SA were not rooting for SA. Their logic being, Indians/South Asians never got a shot in the national team. Then in recent times, there has been Hashim Amla (South Asian decent) and he hasn't been nearly good enough. He is lucky to have been born in SA, as he would hv never made any of our teams ......
Oct 22nd, 2007, 08:15 AM
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Come on Guys, How old was Stein in 1994,
So he is the wrong colour and should not play for his country?
How many ex South Africans in the USA team, the England, Australia, and Frensh team?
Its a professional Sport.
Best should get selected. Same in soccer in SA and all pro sports.
So he is the wrong colour and should not play for his country?
How many ex South Africans in the USA team, the England, Australia, and Frensh team?
Its a professional Sport.
Best should get selected. Same in soccer in SA and all pro sports.
Oct 22nd, 2007, 04:22 PM
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The best should be selected, but we should also build skills among underrepresented populations. Look what Tiger Woods is doing for golf. Not only does he sponsor clinics and golf programs for minorities, but he's brought a whole new fan base to the game, making the sport even more profitable.
But what I think Selwyn was saying (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that there is a growing pool of talented players who are making it to the big league because of their color.
But what I think Selwyn was saying (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that there is a growing pool of talented players who are making it to the big league because of their color.
