What SA Rugby fans wish for in 2012
Rugby fans voice their opinions (Photo: Denese Lups/Rugby15)
No Peter de Villiers, no Bryce Lawrence and no politics, but rather, skilled Bok coaches, impartial referees and team selections based on merit. Those are the things that South African Rugby fans want for the sport in 2012.
Yesterday we asked our fans/followers what their one wish for South African rugby is for the new 2012 season and they jumped at the opportunity to air their views and opinions. We received a massive response with fans airing their wishes via Rugby15’s Facebook and Twitter channels.
The Springbok coaching job dominated wishes with most fans wishing for no Peter de Villiers and the newly appointed coach to select players on merit. Francois Bonthuys (@fpbonthuys) wished for “a competent, skillful and tactical Springbok coach to take the team forward” on our Twitter account while Taetjo Mathabatha had this to say on Facebook: “I wish that the new Springbok coach selects players on merit and stop selecting players based on what they did in the past. I wish that all has-beens must be dropped from the Springboks squad and more hungry players should be selected”.
Two names that constantly popped up as fans’ wish for new Bok coach was the Lions’ 2011 Currie Cup-winning coach John Mitchell and Blue Bulls Director of Coaching Heyneke Meyer. On Twitter Marlie Nel (@marlienel) wished “That there is a way that Heyneke Meyer can coach the Boks” while a skeptical Stefan C Loubser asked on Facebook for “John Mitchell to become Springbok coach even though it will never happen”.
South African rugby has been plagued by political interference for years with sports ministers over the years calling for the sport to be transformed and even imposing quota systems on teams. But it became clear yesterday that the majority of fans rather want merit-based selections and absolutely no political interference in the sport. On Facebook Joseph S Carlo said“No politics in our Rugby! Choose the player because he is good. Let the coach decide what is best and not people in charge telling him what to do!” while Liesel van der Colf and Juanita (@nitacop) also raised their voices with these respective wishes: “Keep politics OUT” and “Politics to stay out of rugby!!!!”
It also appears that New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence still hasn’t been forgiven for the way he handled the Rugby World Cup quarter-final between the Springboks and Australia, with many fans believing he cheated the Boks out of a spot in the RWC semi-finals. After looking at some responses, our advice to Bryce if he visits South Africa in the near future would be to stay in hiding. David Majoka said on Facebook “to find lawrence and play a test match against him” while Arie Meiring (@stormbok) on Twitter was clearly still angry about the Boks’ early RWC exit, saying “I hope bryce lawrence get very bad hemroids!!!!!!”
It is also good to see that plenty of fans are excited and optimistic about the youth coming through the ranks of SA Rugby, with young superstars like Johan Goosen, Elton Jantjies, Siya Kolisi, Jaco Taute and Marcell Coetzee all receiving support for featuring regularly in the future Bok line-up. “Siya Kolisi to play number 7!!!” – “Johan Goosen given a shot at the Bok 10 spot, loads of potential that lad has” and “Elton Jantjies and Jaco Taute cement their places in their respective positions for the Boks” were some of the wishes shared.
Plenty of loyal fans also raised their voices and called for their respective franchises and provinces to excel in 2012 and lift the respective trophies of tournaments they are participating in. Lions fans were the most vocal after their team were crowned 2011 Currie Cup Champs.
But what was most pleasing for us was the massive support and love the Boks received, with fans taking the chance to wish the Boks well and only the best for 2012.Lubabalo Mpongoshe wants “The Boks to Win tri nations!!!” while Michael Vick wished for the Boks to have an “Unbeaten run in all tests”.
Our wish at Rugby15 for South African rugby is that it will go from strength to strength in 2012, that all teams, players, coaches will perform to their full ability and that rugby in general will be free from any controversy.
We would also like to take the time to wish all players, coaches, administrators and especially all our loyal fans a very happy New Year and may all your dreams come true in 2012. We will be bringing you even bigger and better coverage this year, so stay tuned!
[james@rugby15.co.za]
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