The last few weeks have been a blur, all I have thought about is rugby. I haven't even looked to see what cricket is on!
The initial blow of losing to the Kiwis in the opening game, was a harsh blow, especially considering that I think we could have won it, had it not been for our "favourite" ref presiding over that game.
However, as Madiba said, we as a nation, should be judged by how often we get back up, rather than our successes, and get back up we did. We just never give up. We as a nation, are a bit like Faf - we are tenacious and brave, we don't submit to bullies and we give it horns! AND we do it with smiles on our faces.
I feel like I have to write this now to "debrief" after all the emotions of the last few days.
We made arrangements to watch the game at a really cool sports bar in Luxembourg City. We had watched the last two games there, and I reckon they knew us by then.
In typical South African style, I was amped and prepared. I made my banner, I made and printed out some Good Luck stickers, that I stuck onto little chocolates that I bought, to give out to supporters of both sides, I had my flags, shirts, socks, my face paints, I even took my bluetooth speaker so I could pump out IMPI as our boys walked onto the pitch - and, I KNEW THEY WOULD WIN, so I already had Shosholoza all lined up to play loudly at the end. I have never been so ready to be a champion! :)
I was fully prepared to be outnumbered by English supporters, and I was happy because we all love watching with the opposition, it just adds so much of a vibe. I had visions of the place decked out in English flags, but not one was to be found. Not even painted on a face! I thought that was so weird!
A lot of interesting facts came out about this RWC final, and I am going to place them here, although they have been shared a gazillion times online, but this way I have a record.
- 32 points is the most SA ever scored in a Final.
- The Bokke win margin of 20 pts is the 2nd biggest in World Cup history.
- Chester Williams and James Small, the Bokke who wore the 11 and 14 jerseys in the 1995 World Cup Final, both passed away in 2019. Our two tries scored in the 2019 Final came from Bok jerseys 11 and 14.
- Today was also the first time the Bokke scored tries in a Final.
- The Bokke are the only team in history to never concede a try in the Final.
- The Bokke are the only team in the world who have never lost in a World Cup final.
- The Bokke are also the first team in history to win the World Cup after losing their first World Cup opening pool game.
- The Bokke became the first team in history to win the Rugby Championship (old Tri Nations) and the World Cup in one year.
- The Bokke have won 3 World Cups in 7 tournaments. (New Zealand could only win 3 World Cups in 9 tournaments).
- Frans Steyn became only the second Springbok player in history to win 2 World Cup medals.
- Handre Pollards 20 points today is the most points ever scored by a South African in a Final.
- Siya Kolisi is the first black Captain of the Springboks. His full name, Siyamthanda, means “We love him” (and love him, we do!) and it was his 50th cap for the Bokke.
Aannnyyywaayyy - we arrived there and "decorated" our corner with SA flags and banners, chatted to people as they came in, probably just annoyed people in general, you know what we're like, talking to random strangers is easy - especially in a sporting environment. Suddenly we spotted another couple come in in BOK shirts. I just rushed over and hugged them! They hadn't booked and it was full, we had 2 seats that were not being used, so I invited them to sit with us, and it was good to have some back up of our own mense (considering we were also sharing the table with an Englishman!)
As the guys started coming out, I blared my IMPI out, but ai foeitog, my speaker was only heard by about 2 tables, and so it did not have the impact of Johnny Clegg, but jirre, I tried. I was going to attempt to sing REALLY loudly myself... but realised that without significant Saffer support, I would just look like a crazy person, which technically I don't mind (as you know) but I didn't want to be thrown out and then miss the game. So I decided to just conform to the norm.
Then the anthems. You have to stand people. It's your anthem! Sang my little heart out, tried verrrry hard not to cry - and then, I think I stopped breathing for 80 minutes.
Those of you who had stuff to say about Fafs kicking and Willies catching - I hope you have grovelled your repenting hearts out. We TOLD you there was a plan people!! You mos know Rassie - the man with a plan. (I said that in an Afrikaans accent - can you hear it?!)
I had been screaming every time the ball got anywhere near Cheslin - "GET IT TO CHESLIN!!!!!!!!!! At one point, I thought I may lose my voice! I was so desperate for the loo, (I had a beer with breakfast - holly ha) but I thought I cannot go, because if I go, there will be a try and I will miss it. Eventually, I had to go, and blow me down with a feather, if I did not hear screaming the minute I closed the booths door. I just thought "Dammit Donner, that's so loud the flipping English have scored." I opened the door, and a lady said "You scored!" Freaking heck, for the handful of Saffers there, we made a lot of noise. AND I MISSED CHESLINS TRY!!! I MISSED IT AND HAD TO WATCH THE REPLAY. I did consider just going to sit in the loo for the last few minutes, because maybe they would score again, but I didn't. Obviously. I was too excited.
That 2nd half, it was all us. They didn't stand a chance. It was such a moment - I don't know if I teared up only because we won, or also because if I could have transported my whole self to Cape Town at that moment, I would have, just to be there for the celebrations. I have realised that we really KNOW HOW to celebrate.
I tried to play Shosholoza - but again, speaker too soft and not enough Saffers to make it happen. Within about 15 minutes the bar had pretty much emptied, except for a handful of English who were just waiting for the next soccer game, and some Saffers. I think that was also a shock to us. At home, we would watch with the opposition, and then hang out together, win or lose, laughing or crying, we would braai and make it a day to remember. It's the FINAL. So My Man and I had a beer, a couple of people popped over so we could all have photos taken together - another Saffer, one Englishman, and the manager of the place. But the place was basically empty.
Then we left. That is really when I wanted to find an alleyway and just tjunk my heart out. I was waving my flag, it was a Saturday morning, the markets were on, the squares were full - and no-one knew what just happened. I was just some woman carrying an unknown flag. Nothing was different. Yet, for us - EVERYTHING was different. It was such a let down leaving the pub. It made the whole morning feel like a dream, and now you've awoken and it never happened. Stuff it, I still carried my flag, and I held it out of the car window all the way home, and put it outside our house for the night.
Sure, there has to be a winner and a loser. England thought they had it in the bag, because, to be fair, they had a damn good series, all the wins... their one mistake was underestimating us. Never listen to the stats. The united force of a whole nation behind a team doesn't adhere to stats.
On top of that excitement - Our Coach won Coach of the Year, Pieter Steph du Toit won Player of the Year and the Bokke won Team of the Year and the whole darn thing. This is how we celebrate at home. Bokke, you biscuits - we love you!
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