Tribute to out fallen heroes! Heroes??? A hero - a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength. For instance, "RAF pilots were the heroes of the Battle of Britain".With this definition in mind, i'm forced to change my sentiments and statements to try and highlight some of the most distinguished and seasoned South AFrican Rugby legends who have failed to lure the eyes of the Bok selectors. Looking at their performances and characters in the past season, one is forced to think that they have been unlucky not to have donned the Bok jersey. One thing for sure is that they MAY not don the springbok jersey at all, throughout all their rugby playing careers.
It is every schoolboy's dream to wear the GREEN and GOLD at some point in time. This jersey has inspired many youngster to abandon their studies, leave their families and girlfriends, in search of the gateway to the BOK jersey. As a soccer mad growing youngster, my sudden profound interest and twist to rugby transpired in 1995, during the RWC in South Africa. Suddenly I HAD A DREAM. My dream to become a great rugby player , having been inspired by guys like Pienaar, Chester and the great Os to thrive and strive to wear that green and gold. But so many obstacles and challenges in life have intefaced and thus resulted in my dreams not living to reality. But at least i have not regrets in following and being acquainted to the SPORT that i love so much.
Needless to say, there have many deserving and much more talented guys that have unfortunate to wear the bok jersey. Guys that have perenially graced the rugby scene in the country and abroad, by they are still being overlooked by the selectors. The following names come into mind: Cobus 'baywatch' Grobler, Keegan Daniels, Jaque Botes, John Mametsa, Ryno Gerber, Ross Skeate,Rito Hlungwani, Braddley Barrit, Tiger Mangweni, Jaco Engels, the list is endless. These guys should forget about playing for the boks. Its late for them. They are now too old (their avg age is 24). Considering that nowadayds in rugby, if you dont make it as a 20 year old, then you better start looking for overseas contracts.
Then comes a bunch of the famous, "one cap wonder".These guys have played less than 4 tests for the BOKS and it doesnt look like they are gonna make it in FUTURE AT ALL: Waylon Murray, Morne Steyn, Hilton Lobberts, Meyer Bosmann, Heinkie Van de Merwe, Adriaan Strauss, Wynard Ollivier and so forth. I see no more caps coming out of this bunch.
Also another tag of "former Springboks' seems to be falling on the following players: Chavanga, Muller, Castens, Pedre Wannenberg,Bolla Conradie, Derrick Houggard (only at 25), Wickus Wan Heerden, Albert Van der Berg , the list is also endless. Hardy okes, you better join the BOK CROCKS team.
WARNING!!!!!The following youngsters should watch out otherwise they will end up just attaining the "Currie Cup legend" tag, famously personalised by guys like Anton Leonard and AJ Venter. These are Deon Stagmmann,Stephan Dippenaar, Marius Delport, RORY KOCKOTT, STEVEN SYKES, ALISTAIR HARGREAVES,JEAN DEYSEL, PATRIC CILLIERS and NIKOLAI BLIGNAUT.In my opinion, none of these guys are ever gonna make the springboks again, unless something terrible happens to the incumbent crop.
The moral of the story is, some get the opprtunity, and some dont. And for those that do get one, they beeter make sure that take it with BOTH hands, otherwise its the end of it. We have too many talented players in South African rugby, but we can only have 22 man squad at every test game. As they say, a fringe player from any of the 5 unions in South Africa would start in any team abroad.
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