This is what it comes down to Ladies and Gentleman.  This is why Chest Beating is imperative.  This is Super Rugby at it’s best and this is what makes our country so diverse and so wonderful.

Today will see Tops @ Spar, Aroma, Pickardi Rebel and all the other major Liquor stores be busy to the teeth.  The benefit of it being the end of the month and the fact that there is plenty of rugby to entertain the masses should hold key to one exceptional weekend.

We have Quality, we have intrigue, action, suspense and all out drama awaiting us this weekend and like many other sporting nations who fornicate the stadiums, who sing songs to honor their teams and support the sport they love, this is South Africa.  This weekend’s drama can be used as a curtain raiser.  Hell, give me the equipment and I will show you a side to South Africa you have never seen.  For 80 minutes we are foes, for a lifetime we will be friends.

All the talking has been done.  All the strategies worked out, and even myself, I have tried my hands at some good old fashioned “Sir Alex” mindgames.  Yes the Sharks face their most daunting challenge of the competition.  They have good results against the old foe but this weekend I say, Play for pride, Play to enjoy and Play to cherish.

At the end of the day, no matter the result, we can all say proudly that South African rugby is alive and healthy.  So go get the dop, buy the chops, chicken and wors and don’t forget the steak.  Start the fire early and let real rugby begin.

Enjoy the weekend my people.

This is what it comes down to Ladies and Gentleman.  This is why Chest Beating is imperative.  This is Super Rugby at it’s best and this is what makes our country so diverse and so wonderful.

Today will see Tops @ Spar, Aroma, Pickardi Rebel and all the other major Liquor stores be busy to the teeth.  The benefit of it being the end of the month and the fact that there is plenty of rugby to entertain the masses should hold key to one exceptional weekend.

We have Quality, we have intrigue, action, suspense and all out drama awaiting us this weekend and like many other sporting nations who fornicate the stadiums, who sing songs to honor their teams and support the sport they love, this is South Africa.  This weekend’s drama can be used as a curtain raiser.  Hell, give me the equipment and I will show you a side to South Africa you have never seen.  For 80 minutes we are foes, for a lifetime we will be friends.

All the talking has been done.  All the strategies worked out, and even myself, I have tried my hands at some good old fashioned “Sir Alex” mindgames.  Yes the Sharks face their most daunting challenge of the competition.  They have good results against the old foe but this weekend I say, Play for pride, Play to enjoy and Play to cherish.

At the end of the day, no matter the result, we can all say proudly that South African rugby is alive and healthy.  So go get the dop, buy the chops, chicken and wors and don’t forget the steak.  Start the fire early and let real rugby begin.

Enjoy the weekend my people.

I really don’t get this “Dream Team” idea.  Really, I look at the team, and I see decent players but always a flaw in the system.  Since I don’t understand or know how this works, from what I could gather is that fans vote and the players with the most votes in a particular position is entered into the Sport 24 “Dream Team”

It seems from articles from the site, that voters seem to favor the defending champions and rightly so.  The Stormers also has some players who have shown their worth but no players of the Sharks, with the exception of Ruan Pienaar has made it into the team and it seems that the fans have not noted the little resurgence in the Natal based side.  Is it me or is Sharks fans not voting or do they believe that their team is not good enough to win anything?

Last year, during the Currie Cup semi finals we were outplayed by the Cheetahs on home ground.  The reason or part of the reason why they lost that day (in my honest opinion) is the support that never came.  30 000 people in a stadium that can accommodate up to 55 000.  So saying you a supporter, and only going for the big games but not knowing whether your team will be there next week is the lamest excuse I have ever heard.

I am not hinting that the whole Sharks team should be in this “Dream team” but rather a selective few that in my opinion have lifted their hands and wanted to be counted amongst the best in the country.    Reason why the Sharks have not been voted is mainly because they have a decent team and lost five in a row.  Now compare that to another team and your record immediately starts to look dismal, but consider that the Stormers have lost 2 less, but yet they lay second is testament of how these games can turn.  Also the fact that the Sharks lost the game against the Chiefs and Warratahs purely based on poor refereeing skills and many will agree.  Had we won there we would have lain fifth on the table and stats would certainly have looked better.

So my “Dream XV” would look like this:

15.Pat Lambie(Sharks), 14. G van der Heever (Bulls), 13. J Fourie (Stormers), 12 W Olivier (Bulls), 11. B Habana (Stormers) 10. M Steyn (Bulls), 9. F Du Preez (Bulls), 8. P Spies (Bulls), 7. J Deysel (Sharks) 6. J Botes (Sharks), 5. V Matfield(Bulls), 4. D Rossouw(Bulls), 3. Brok Harris(Stormers), 2. B Du Plessis (Sharks), 1. J Smit(Sharks)

I can here the Blue Bulls screaming for their front row…..sorry guys but Steenkamp just isn’t playing like he used to.  Gary Botha, a good hooker doesn’t match the quality Du Plessis has shown in the last couple of weeks.  I wanted to include Johann Muller at 4 which in my opinion is the second best physical lock in this country besides Bakkies but that would be unfair to Rossouw.  Also no Schalk??? Nah Botes is the inform opensider and Jean Deysel is too underrated.  Replacements??

16. Steenkamp(Bulls), 17. Liebenberg (Stormers), 18. Bekker(Stormers), 19. S Burger (Stormers), 20. Pienaar (Sharks), 21. Grant(Stormers), 22. De Jongh(Stormers).

It’s quite scary considering the amount of depth South Africa has.  This already was tough.  What about Killian, Juan Smit, Willem Alberts, Duane Vermeulen, Joe Petersen, Jp Pietersen, Ndungane, Kankowski, Jannie Du Plessis, Steven Sykes, Franke v/d Merwe and loads of other decent players.

Once again, only a few that has put up their hands.  Like John Smit said, “Put your hands up and be counted” Saturday can come already!

I really don’t get this “Dream Team” idea.  Really, I look at the team, and I see decent players but always a flaw in the system.  Since I don’t understand or know how this works, from what I could gather is that fans vote and the players with the most votes in a particular position is entered into the Sport 24 “Dream Team”

It seems from articles from the site, that voters seem to favor the defending champions and rightly so.  The Stormers also has some players who have shown their worth but no players of the Sharks, with the exception of Ruan Pienaar has made it into the team and it seems that the fans have not noted the little resurgence in the Natal based side.  Is it me or is Sharks fans not voting or do they believe that their team is not good enough to win anything?

Last year, during the Currie Cup semi finals we were outplayed by the Cheetahs on home ground.  The reason or part of the reason why they lost that day (in my honest opinion) is the support that never came.  30 000 people in a stadium that can accommodate up to 55 000.  So saying you a supporter, and only going for the big games but not knowing whether your team will be there next week is the lamest excuse I have ever heard.

I am not hinting that the whole Sharks team should be in this “Dream team” but rather a selective few that in my opinion have lifted their hands and wanted to be counted amongst the best in the country.    Reason why the Sharks have not been voted is mainly because they have a decent team and lost five in a row.  Now compare that to another team and your record immediately starts to look dismal, but consider that the Stormers have lost 2 less, but yet they lay second is testament of how these games can turn.  Also the fact that the Sharks lost the game against the Chiefs and Warratahs purely based on poor refereeing skills and many will agree.  Had we won there we would have lain fifth on the table and stats would certainly have looked better.

So my “Dream XV” would look like this:

15.Pat Lambie(Sharks), 14. G van der Heever (Bulls), 13. J Fourie (Stormers), 12 W Olivier (Bulls), 11. B Habana (Stormers) 10. M Steyn (Bulls), 9. F Du Preez (Bulls), 8. P Spies (Bulls), 7. J Deysel (Sharks) 6. J Botes (Sharks), 5. V Matfield(Bulls), 4. D Rossouw(Bulls), 3. Brok Harris(Stormers), 2. B Du Plessis (Sharks), 1. J Smit(Sharks)

I can here the Blue Bulls screaming for their front row…..sorry guys but Steenkamp just isn’t playing like he used to.  Gary Botha, a good hooker doesn’t match the quality Du Plessis has shown in the last couple of weeks.  I wanted to include Johann Muller at 4 which in my opinion is the second best physical lock in this country besides Bakkies but that would be unfair to Rossouw.  Also no Schalk??? Nah Botes is the inform opensider and Jean Deysel is too underrated.  Replacements??

16. Steenkamp(Bulls), 17. Liebenberg (Stormers), 18. Bekker(Stormers), 19. S Burger (Stormers), 20. Pienaar (Sharks), 21. Grant(Stormers), 22. De Jongh(Stormers).

It’s quite scary considering the amount of depth South Africa has.  This already was tough.  What about Killian, Juan Smit, Willem Alberts, Duane Vermeulen, Joe Petersen, Jp Pietersen, Ndungane, Kankowski, Jannie Du Plessis, Steven Sykes, Franke v/d Merwe and loads of other decent players.

Once again, only a few that has put up their hands.  Like John Smit said, “Put your hands up and be counted” Saturday can come already!

“I don’t know much, but I know I love you.”  Song by husband and wife combo, Aaron Neville and Lisa Rondstadt.   That, on this beautiful day, is my love for my beloved Sharks.  They face the steepest of battles and making this yet another local derby that by the sounds of it is sold out in our second home ground makes this weekend more special.

Before the Super 14 kicked off I had high hopes and ambitions for a Sharks team with infinite potential.  Yes they had the players to truly make their mark on this year’s Super Season.  A lack of backline penetration, if you may put it that way made it difficult as a game cannot be won for an entire 80 minutes through forward play and “stampkar” rugby.  As I have said on many occasions, the Sharks lacked the kicking abilities and running force of Francios Steyn, the defensive yet offensive thinking of Bradley Barrit and the settled influence of a proper pivot.  Yet we go into a game at Fortress Loftus against a settled side, yet we should have the confidence to at least give the Bulls a proper run for their money.

In John Smit, we have the world’s most experience Test Captain and an exceptional leader.  In Johann Muller we have a underrated yet very humble cleaner of ruck ball, and an esteemed leader.  Jacques Botes, Jean Deysel and Willem Alberts seems to be the right combination and should be a handful at the breakdown area.  Ruan Pienaar is rediscovering his form and his prodigious talents make him a very valuable asset at the base of the scrum.

So to all my fellow bloggers, DArwinia, Jakes, Angelica and all the other Baby Blues out there I will say the following:  Even though you may be the favorite, have the “strong” team and be on top of the log, let me remind you that every game should be treated as a final.  This is the wise words of John Smit, Barney, Captain in the Cauldron and your Test match Captain.  Ek’s lief vir julle maar hier kom n moerse ding mense!!

If we win, we win, If we lose, we lose.  All in all, this should be a “proper” South African Derby and at the end of the day SA rugby will win, as we do most of the time and as we prove the world wrong in all our achievements, let us take this one opportunity to embrace all the positives we have and block out the negativity.

Till later

Adios

“I don’t know much, but I know I love you.”  Song by husband and wife combo, Aaron Neville and Lisa Rondstadt.   That, on this beautiful day, is my love for my beloved Sharks.  They face the steepest of battles and making this yet another local derby that by the sounds of it is sold out in our second home ground makes this weekend more special.

Before the Super 14 kicked off I had high hopes and ambitions for a Sharks team with infinite potential.  Yes they had the players to truly make their mark on this year’s Super Season.  A lack of backline penetration, if you may put it that way made it difficult as a game cannot be won for an entire 80 minutes through forward play and “stampkar” rugby.  As I have said on many occasions, the Sharks lacked the kicking abilities and running force of Francios Steyn, the defensive yet offensive thinking of Bradley Barrit and the settled influence of a proper pivot.  Yet we go into a game at Fortress Loftus against a settled side, yet we should have the confidence to at least give the Bulls a proper run for their money.

In John Smit, we have the world’s most experience Test Captain and an exceptional leader.  In Johann Muller we have a underrated yet very humble cleaner of ruck ball, and an esteemed leader.  Jacques Botes, Jean Deysel and Willem Alberts seems to be the right combination and should be a handful at the breakdown area.  Ruan Pienaar is rediscovering his form and his prodigious talents make him a very valuable asset at the base of the scrum.

So to all my fellow bloggers, DArwinia, Jakes, Angelica and all the other Baby Blues out there I will say the following:  Even though you may be the favorite, have the “strong” team and be on top of the log, let me remind you that every game should be treated as a final.  This is the wise words of John Smit, Barney, Captain in the Cauldron and your Test match Captain.  Ek’s lief vir julle maar hier kom n moerse ding mense!!

If we win, we win, If we lose, we lose.  All in all, this should be a “proper” South African Derby and at the end of the day SA rugby will win, as we do most of the time and as we prove the world wrong in all our achievements, let us take this one opportunity to embrace all the positives we have and block out the negativity.

Till later

Adios

Some people just don’t get the idea of free society, freedom of speech and just learning when to shut their traps.

With reference to my last post, which sparked some very good comments to the more unpleasant tone of certain individuals I will say my say now.

I have been blogging for some time, and within that time frame I have made friends with quite a number of interesting individuals.  I have always taken their advice and listened to their insight.  This is a trend I look to continue and will continue doing so.  Why??  Because this is my blog and what I post here is totally out of my own free will.

Like first world countries, their citizens always tend to look down on us.  Even though we can beat them heavily in rugby or cricket they tend to take that ignorance and spit it out on the rest of us.  You know who I am talking about and I am tired of being chastised.  Yes my post had a few mistakes in, but writing it in a matter of minutes will definitely have errors.  South Africans would understand exactly what I meant with every sentence, and since our beautiful country has been blasted in the media about the crime rate, HIV, Politics, racism and corruption, that still does not take away the fact that I am a truly proud South African with Nkosi Sikilele on my heart.

We have always been a proud nation.  From divided backgrounds to united futures.  From Black and White to Rainbow Nation.  From Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates to Natal Sharks and Vodacom Blue Bulls.  From Soccer City to Moses Mashiba Stadium. 

Great South Africans have made their impact on the world, from Nelson Mandela to Chris Barnard.  Our past athletes and future stars all make out what is indeed a very young country, trying to find it’s feet in the world.  To the detractors out there that seems to blast us for every action we take I say this:  “Go look in the mirror, and see your own faults.”  If you find that your are perfect then you just full of shit, sorry for the grammar.  Crime affects the whole world and just singling out one place is sort of unfair where our whole world has become bonkers with the idea of having too much power at their disposal. 

I am tired of hearing people say that we are the scum of the earth because we not.

I am tired of being looked at from under a microscope.  You want to do that go look at yourself.

And I am sick of hearing that the World Cup will be a disaster.  There is a reason South Africa was chosen to host the tournament. 

We have the infrastructure, the landscape, the beauty and the willingness to allow touring visitors to experience Africa like never before.  People have the opportunity to see some great soccer being played in some truly beautiful stadiums, breathtaking cities and some vibrant locals.  If you don’t like it, simply stay at home because what’s done is done and we will show the world what a Third World Nation can do with just a little bit of opportunity and a lot of enthusiasm.

Constructive comments welcome.

PS:  To some my previous post might have been an insult to their “inferior” grammer skills and knowledge.  Strangely enough a well published sport website has asked me to write for them.  Ironic isn’t it?

Some people just don’t get the idea of free society, freedom of speech and just learning when to shut their traps.

With reference to my last post, which sparked some very good comments to the more unpleasant tone of certain individuals I will say my say now.

I have been blogging for some time, and within that time frame I have made friends with quite a number of interesting individuals.  I have always taken their advice and listened to their insight.  This is a trend I look to continue and will continue doing so.  Why??  Because this is my blog and what I post here is totally out of my own free will.

Like first world countries, their citizens always tend to look down on us.  Even though we can beat them heavily in rugby or cricket they tend to take that ignorance and spit it out on the rest of us.  You know who I am talking about and I am tired of being chastised.  Yes my post had a few mistakes in, but writing it in a matter of minutes will definitely have errors.  South Africans would understand exactly what I meant with every sentence, and since our beautiful country has been blasted in the media about the crime rate, HIV, Politics, racism and corruption, that still does not take away the fact that I am a truly proud South African with Nkosi Sikilele on my heart.

We have always been a proud nation.  From divided backgrounds to united futures.  From Black and White to Rainbow Nation.  From Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates to Natal Sharks and Vodacom Blue Bulls.  From Soccer City to Moses Mashiba Stadium. 

Great South Africans have made their impact on the world, from Nelson Mandela to Chris Barnard.  Our past athletes and future stars all make out what is indeed a very young country, trying to find it’s feet in the world.  To the detractors out there that seems to blast us for every action we take I say this:  “Go look in the mirror, and see your own faults.”  If you find that your are perfect then you just full of shit, sorry for the grammar.  Crime affects the whole world and just singling out one place is sort of unfair where our whole world has become bonkers with the idea of having too much power at their disposal. 

I am tired of hearing people say that we are the scum of the earth because we not.

I am tired of being looked at from under a microscope.  You want to do that go look at yourself.

And I am sick of hearing that the World Cup will be a disaster.  There is a reason South Africa was chosen to host the tournament. 

We have the infrastructure, the landscape, the beauty and the willingness to allow touring visitors to experience Africa like never before.  People have the opportunity to see some great soccer being played in some truly beautiful stadiums, breathtaking cities and some vibrant locals.  If you don’t like it, simply stay at home because what’s done is done and we will show the world what a Third World Nation can do with just a little bit of opportunity and a lot of enthusiasm.

Constructive comments welcome.

PS:  To some my previous post might have been an insult to their “inferior” grammer skills and knowledge.  Strangely enough a well published sport website has asked me to write for them.  Ironic isn’t it?

With reference to someone’s blabbering about a Nation that has its head stuck so far in it’s own behind, allow REM to shed some light on a South African perspective.  Mere words have been changed, and it sounds a tad better.

It might not be politically correct in a world in which the Queen licks her balls.  In a world where Pommies, Communist and the KKK all tend to disagree with me when I say that South Africa, despite all it’s faults is the most beautiful country on this earth.

We have grown to be independent in this country, often without realizing or appreciating the fact that we have gone from a nation divided to a rainbow nation with great aspirations.  Let us hear from you but first consider what South African Sport and competitors have given us-and continue to give.

South Africa is a packed Ellis Park and brandy and coke on a sunny summer’s afternoon and singing Liefling at Loftus Versfeldt.  It is a Shaun Bartlett piledriver, a Greame Pollock cover drive and Eddie Andrews’ tears as Nkosi Sikilele plays.

South Africa is the J&B Met, Cape Argus Cycle Tour and the Two Oceans Marathon, all three the envy of the sporting world.  It is a packed Bull Ring on the first morning of the Boxing Day Test and a raucous Centurion as the sun sets on another Nelson Mandela Challenge.  It is the glorious Comrades Marathon-the best ultra marathon in the world-it is Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates, Sundowns vs Supersport United and Ajax Cape Town tackling Santos.  It is Vasco Da Gama being promoted to the PSL topflight without a proper stadium.

South Africa is the Durban July, Jungle Wood and Fort Wood. The Birch brothers, Killarney, Turffontein and the Summer Cup.  The shibeen in Khayelitsha and the perfection of the Western Province Bowling Association winning yet another tournament.

South Africa is a proud Neil Tovey on his colleagues’ shoulders and John Smit holding high another World Cup.  It is Zola Bud and Elana Meyer at their best.  It is Piet Retief at Kop aan Kop.  South Africa is Jody Scheckter’s inspiration to taxi drivers, Willie Hills’ jaw, Wahl Bartmann’s ears, Peter Kirsten’s knees, Helman Mkelele’s metatarsals, Naas Olivier’s clasped hands and a Penny Heyns smile.

South Africa is the naughty boy charm and world beating talent of Thomas Scheckter and Brian Mitchell, all round skill of Doctor Khumalo.and the die hard aggression and racing instinct of Giniel De Villiers.  South Africa is the peerless Hugh Bladen, Gary Bailey, Gerald Davies…and there goes Errol Tobias as well.  It is the poetry of Breyten Breytenbach, Antjie Krog, the eloquent silences of Jimmy Clegg behind the mike and Gareth Cliff reading the football results on a Saturday evening.

South Africa is the matchless 7de Laan Ragatta on SABC2 and the Shosoloza taking on the world.  Okkert Brits doing back flips of joy in the pole vault pit, Llewellyn Herbert looking bewildered and Mark Lange tearing up the last five and leaving the rest in his smoke.

South Africa is Hansie Cronje out-thinking the opposition, Herschelle Gibbs, outdrinking, outsmoking and outplaying the same.  It is the Protea, The Springbok beauty and breathtaking ability of Caster to outrun her opponents and the Queen still think she got balls, and the glorious running of another dashing player, Danie Gerber as he scored not once, not twice but three times against a Touring English side in 1984 at Ellis Park.

South Africa is the Ernie Els in the zone, the timeless perfection of Gary Player, the gung-ho courage of Trevor Immelman.  It is Retief Goosen sharing post-match Black Labels with the opposition.  In the effortless cool of Morne Steyn and the enduring bravery of Frik Du Preez.

South Africa is rugby in the rain at Newlands, Durban in Summer, the KFC mini cricket tournament, the Selbourne Easter rugby weekend.  It is the Stawberry Festival, Aardklop and Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees in Oudtshoorn.  And it is the thought, bordering on obsession, of finally winning the World Cup in cricket, another Saffa winning the Masters, Bafana Bafana ranking in the top 20’s again and above all else defend the Rugby World Cup.

South Africa is the beauty of Table Mountain, the Drakensberge, Sun City, the Gold Coast, the Boland Winelands, Kruger Wildtuin and Die Groot Gat in Kimberley.

“I dream of a Africa, in peace with itself.”  Nelson Mandela probably was not thinking about sport at the time but his words ring ever true.

God Bless Nelson Mandela, The Springbok, Leon Schuster, Charlize Theron, Soweto String Quartet, Hugh Masikela, Table Mountain, Gold Reef City and all the citizens of this wonderful nation.

With reference to someone’s blabbering about a Nation that has its head stuck so far in it’s own behind, allow REM to shed some light on a South African perspective.  Mere words have been changed, and it sounds a tad better.

It might not be politically correct in a world in which the Queen licks her balls.  In a world where Pommies, Communist and the KKK all tend to disagree with me when I say that South Africa, despite all it’s faults is the most beautiful country on this earth.

We have grown to be independent in this country, often without realizing or appreciating the fact that we have gone from a nation divided to a rainbow nation with great aspirations.  Let us hear from you but first consider what South African Sport and competitors have given us-and continue to give.

South Africa is a packed Ellis Park and brandy and coke on a sunny summer’s afternoon and singing Liefling at Loftus Versfeldt.  It is a Shaun Bartlett piledriver, a Greame Pollock cover drive and Eddie Andrews’ tears as Nkosi Sikilele plays.

South Africa is the J&B Met, Cape Argus Cycle Tour and the Two Oceans Marathon, all three the envy of the sporting world.  It is a packed Bull Ring on the first morning of the Boxing Day Test and a raucous Centurion as the sun sets on another Nelson Mandela Challenge.  It is the glorious Comrades Marathon-the best ultra marathon in the world-it is Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates, Sundowns vs Supersport United and Ajax Cape Town tackling Santos.  It is Vasco Da Gama being promoted to the PSL topflight without a proper stadium.

South Africa is the Durban July, Jungle Wood and Fort Wood. The Birch brothers, Killarney, Turffontein and the Summer Cup.  The shibeen in Khayelitsha and the perfection of the Western Province Bowling Association winning yet another tournament.

South Africa is a proud Neil Tovey on his colleagues’ shoulders and John Smit holding high another World Cup.  It is Zola Bud and Elana Meyer at their best.  It is Piet Retief at Kop aan Kop.  South Africa is Jody Scheckter’s inspiration to taxi drivers, Willie Hills’ jaw, Wahl Bartmann’s ears, Peter Kirsten’s knees, Helman Mkelele’s metatarsals, Naas Olivier’s clasped hands and a Penny Heyns smile.

South Africa is the naughty boy charm and world beating talent of Thomas Scheckter and Brian Mitchell, all round skill of Doctor Khumalo.and the die hard aggression and racing instinct of Giniel De Villiers.  South Africa is the peerless Hugh Bladen, Gary Bailey, Gerald Davies…and there goes Errol Tobias as well.  It is the poetry of Breyten Breytenbach, Antjie Krog, the eloquent silences of Jimmy Clegg behind the mike and Gareth Cliff reading the football results on a Saturday evening.

South Africa is the matchless 7de Laan Ragattaon SABC2 and the Shosoloza taking on the world.  Okkert Brits doing back flips of joy in the pole vault pit, Llewellyn Herbert looking bewildered and Mark Lange tearing up the last five and leaving the rest in his smoke.

South Africa is Hansie Cronje out-thinking the opposition, Herschelle Gibbs, outdrinking, outsmoking and outplaying the same.  It is the Protea, The Springbok beauty and breathtaking ability of Caster to outrun her opponents and the Queen still think she got balls, and the glorious running of another dashing player, Danie Gerber as he scored not once, not twice but three times against a Touring English side in 1984 at Ellis Park.

South Africa is the Ernie Els in the zone, the timeless perfection of Gary Player, the gung-ho courage of Trevor Immelman.  It is Retief Goosen sharing post-match Black Labels with the opposition.  In the effortless cool of Morne Steyn and the enduring bravery of Frik Du Preez.

South Africa is rugby in the rain at Newlands, Durban in Summer, the KFC mini cricket tournament, the Selbourne Easter rugby weekend.  It is the Stawberry Festival, Aardklop and Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees in Oudtshoorn.  And it is the thought, bordering on obsession, of finally winning the World Cup in cricket, another Saffa winning the Masters, Bafana Bafana ranking in the top 20’s again and above all else defend the Rugby World Cup.

South Africa is the beauty of Table Mountain, the Drakensberge, Sun City, the Gold Coast, the Boland Winelands, Kruger Wildtuin and Die Groot Gat in Kimberley.

“I dream of a Africa, in peace with itself.”  Nelson Mandela probable was not thinking about sport at the time but his words ring ever true.

God Bless Nelson Mandela, The Springbok, Leon Schuster, Charlize Theron, Soweto String Quartet, Hugh Masikela, Table Mountain, Gold Reef City and all the citizens of this wonderful nation.