FORGET about the spate of concussions suffered by some of our top rugby players of late.
In recent times it was the South African sport supporters who collectively got ‘klapped’ repeatedly against the head (albeit psychologically), leaving them dazed and confused.
Things have been blowing hot and cold.
Once again as the top ranked ODI team in the world with buoyant expectations, our beloved Proteas wilted and couldn’t even make the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy tournament last week.
Ironically underdogs Pakistan – against all odds – mugged South Africa and India and turned into giant killers.
Who is their coach? Proteas discard Mickey Arthur. It is also annoying that pace bowling master Allan Donald now works in the enemy’s camp.
Skande!
And it was not long ago that India rolled over everybody in their path with another ex-Proteas mastermind Gary Kirsten at the helm..
Perhaps incumbent coach Russel Domingo should consider moving to Zimbabwe or Bangladesh to taste success.
Rugby
Equally mind-boggling is the Springbok saga.
At the season’s break, every rugby supporter was ready to kick coach Allister Coetzee in the teeth while he was down after a dismal record of only four victories in 12 Test matches last season.
Public flogging of the hopeless and hapless Bok players would also not have been deemed out of place. Self-flagellation by fanatical fans was the order of the day.
Coetzee, surprisingly, was given a reprieve by the rugby bosses.
Then the miracle of Biblical proportions. Wringing some French cocks in a most brutal fashion turned Coetzee and his troops into national heroes again in a matter of only eights days.
That must rate as the turnaround of the century – which, one must point out in all fairness, is only 17 years old.
While permitted to enjoy the moment as the baddest ‘brekers’ around, a cautionary note. Let’s see how it goes in the third Test and especially against the All Blacks later in the season before we stick our ‘Uber Windgat’ stickers on our chests.
But at least there is a positive vibe in the air again.
Soccer
The green light went on regarding our hopes of a Bafana Bafana resurrection under the stewardship of new coach Stuart Baxter.
It all started with a bang, with the squad looking like champions in scoring their first victory ever against Nigeria.
And just as we hopped about on our jumping balls with the promise of a new era, the jo-jo boys did it again, fluffing their lines against struggling Zambia.
In all fairness, it is too early to call and one must allow more time for things to take shape, but one cannot blame SA fans for being apprehensive given the ping-pong past.
One thing is for sure, being a South African sport fan leaves no room for sissies.
