Beyond the Game: The Springboks' Role in South Africa's National Narrative
Rugby's Power Play: The Springboks as a Beacon of Hope Amidst South Africa's Turbulent Landscape
With the release of "Chasing the Sun 2," a documentary about the Springboks' journey during the World Cup, I realized the profound importance of the Springboks to South Africa as pillars of hope. It also highlighted how deeply ingrained rugby is in our cultural identity as South Africans. What struck me the most was the idea that rugby could be a determining factor for South Africa's future in the coming years.
Watching the first episode of the docuseries, it became clear that the Springboks are a group of outliers. Many of them come from diverse backgrounds filled with various hardships and struggles. Despite these challenges, they all found a way to overcome them and rise to the top. Mannie Libbok's story, in particular, was deeply moving. His decision to become a Springbok encapsulated the spirit of the team: taking what many would view as hopeless situations and transforming them into narratives filled with hope and joy, inspiring the next generation. It's evident that as a team, they are aware of each other's stories and use them to motivate themselves and each other, finding reasons to play and win. Without Rassie Erasmus' dedication to the squad and each player, the Springboks' story would be very different.
One idea that stood out was their commitment to playing for South Africa, a country that faced challenges even after winning the Rugby World Cup in 2019. They were aware that they were one of the few things that could bring hope during some of South Africa's darkest times. Despite the country's struggles, they continued to play and eventually won their fourth World Cup. However, it led me to wonder: what would happen if they didn't win the next one, and what would that mean for us as a nation?
The difference between celebration and chaos always seems to be just inches away for us as a country. In July 2021, we experienced civil unrest, yet just two years later, we were celebrating the Springboks' success, briefly forgetting our problems. South Africans from all walks of life came together to celebrate, creating a sense of unity and hope. Despite the challenges we faced, such as severe load shedding, increased crime, and the aftermath of Covid, for a brief moment, we felt unstoppable. We defended our title and became the first nation to win the Webb Ellis Cup, defeating our fierce rivals, New Zealand. Now, the pressure is even greater.
Facing the challenge of becoming the first country to win three World Cups in a row, coupled with one of the most important elections in history, ongoing issues like load shedding, and dissatisfaction with governance, the stakes are high. The wait for the next World Cup always seems long, and one has to wonder if we can sustain the same level of joy and support that the Springboks bring. Additionally, Julius Malema's claim that the Springboks are a symbol of Apartheid highlights that not everyone buys into the narrative of unity and hope that the Springboks represent.
Moreover, with other South African sports teams achieving success in recent years, such as Banyana Banyana winning Afcon in 2022 and Bafana Bafana finishing 3rd in Afcon in 2024, there is growing concern about the lack of support for other sports. This raises questions about the reasons for the Springboks' success and the funding they receive. The conversations will interrogate how we continue to view the Springboks and their success, and the growing tension will need to be addressed.
Though this may seem like a pessimistic outlook on the Springboks, it would be unfair to disregard the joy and inspiration they continue to bring with every victory and every moment they truly embrace and celebrate South Africa. While we are still far from the 2027 World Cup campaign, let us continue to support the Springboks and embrace the culture that brings us together. In 2023, we truly were stronger together.
From 2024 onward, it is important that we shine a light on all South African sports and continue to use sports as motivation to keep us going. To come together under one sun and one rainbow, truly embracing the rainbow nation and the potential South Africa has.