Last year was a successful one on the
sporting front for the people of South Africa.
The moment Siya Kolisi and his teammates lifted the William Webb Ellis trophy after beating England in the final, all was good in this country of ours once again.
We forgot about the infighting, the Cricket World Cup disaster and another failed attempt by Bafana Bafana to bring home the continental trophy - somehow the bar is so low on the soccer front that making the playoffs at Afcon is seen as success. It’s not boys, for a country with arguably the best domestic league in Africa it’s not good enough. Word wakker.
Anyway, Bafana upping their game isn’t my only sporting wish for the new year.
I have quite a few.
The first of them is probably like wishing for a tree that grows millions of rands in my backyard - I would like little to no political interference in our sport.
IMPROVEMENT: Bafana at Olympics. Picture: BackpagePix.
Like I said, that is wishful thinking.
Just this past weekend again, Cricket South Africa (CSA) had to send out an email reminding everyone that they are indeed still very much driven to meet their transformation targets.
Ai man, I just want to see the best players representing me and the millions of other sports fans in the country.
I really don’t care what colour they are - I judge them by what they do on the field of play. It’s essentially what I get paid to do.
I’ve got some more realistic wishes for 2020 though.
Our rugby guys did us proud in 2019, while our cricket stars were disappointing to say the least.
They do have a shot at redemption, though, when they go to Australia in October for the T20 World Cup.
BELIEF: Proteas go to T20 World Cup. Picture: Catherine Kotze/BackpagePix.
I want Director of Cricket Graeme Smith and everyone involved in the team to start working on bringing home that trophy in November now already.
For a country so rich in cricket talent, it is shocking that we’ve never won a major international event yet.
Personally, I don’t believe in the “chokers tag” any more and won’t be satisfied with it being used as an excuse if they once again fail to being back gold at a world tournament.
So yes, I would like to see the Proteas lift silverware this year - I think it’s more of a demand than a wish.
And judging by the quality of players we have at our disposal - including AB de Villiers, alongside Imran Tahir, Dale Steyn and those guys - there is no reason why we can’t take it Down Under.
Onto the oval ball.
The hardcore Daily Voice readers will know by now that I am a big Newlands fan.
It broke my heart when talks of a move to Cape Town Stadium first emerged.
I have since made peace with it. In fact, I welcome it.
Therefore I would like nothing more than for the Stormers to win the Super Rugby tournament this year and say goodbye to Newlands in style.
Another wish that might be a bit far-fetched, but I have written previously that I do believe it’s possible this year.
The Stormers team has the core of the Springbok team that won the World Cup.
Mixed with a few youngsters who will become Boks - if not this year, then next year - and a coach in John Dobson who can think on his feet, I believe it is possible.
NEWLANDS FAREWELL: Stormers must win Super Rugby. Picture: BackpagePix.
If you add the emotion of it being the last season at Newlands to it, then you might just get a happy ending.
As for our soccer boys, I will be keeping a close eye on the youngsters going to the Olympic Games in Tokyo later this year.
I expect a gold medal from coach Neil Powell’s Sevens men at the event and I think they will be disappointed with anything less than that also.
I also expect our Bafana boys to at least push really hard for a bronze medal on a pretty big stage.
Now I know I said they must raise the bar, but I believe in Africa they must push for gold. In a global tournament we don’t expect much.
But there is no point in going to an event if you’re not going there to come back with a medal.
So there you have it, my sporting wishes for 2020.