Again, we have been ungracious in defeat, and intolerant of your democratic right to
support the sports team and national side of your choosing.
We are sorry for calling you “traitors” and “unpatriotic”.
We also regret telling you to “move to New Zealand”.
Munier was at Newlands on Saturday to watch the epic Test match between South Africa and the mighty New Zealand.
And what a game it was, one of the greatest he’s ever experienced.
The stadium was sold out, the gees was sky-high, and there were as many black shirts in the stands as there were green ones, maybe even more.
The All Blacks are admired the world over, and especially here in Cape Town.
Who wouldn’t marvel at them?
They are simply the best, the most technically gifted, entertaining and arguably the fittest and fastest rugby team on the planet.
Any true rugby fan can’t but appreciate what these guys do on the field and what they have achieved.
In the past, it was the history and politics of this country that turned many rugby lovers against the Springboks, and into the ranks of All Blacks fans.
But that was 20-plus years ago, before transformation, which has changed a lot of the local rugby landscape.
If you don’t agree with this statement, ask any verkrampte fan what they think of quotas and developing and promoting players of colour.
Nowadays modern All Black fans, who don’t perhaps appreciate the history and politics, will tell you that the reason they back the world champions is: “I like them because they play the best rugby.”
It’s purely a sporting choice, and that’s why the same fans wouldn’t necessarily support the Kiwi cricket team.
Springbok fans, however, support their team for different reasons.
It’s more than just an appreciation of the game. It’s personal for us.
We back the Boks because we are South African. We love our flag, our anthem, our people and our rugby.
The Bokke are not our “favourite team”, they are part of who we are. Part of our identity.
So when we win, we get emotional.
When Wayde van Niekerk wins a gold medal, it feels 10 times better than when Usain Bolt wins four.
And when we lose, it hurts - deeply.