MAILBOX: Cool Hand Luke's 'feedback'
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:13
Springbok flank Luke Watson's recent 'Bok attack' has not gone down too well with the South African public, to say the least. If you have an opinion, you have the Write of Reply!
Reading, or trying to gather what he was trying to put across, just seams like a load of self indulgent drivel. I wonder if all our Boks of colour would also vomit on their jerseys? Some how think not!
There is much more to comment on at an invitation like the one at UCT, with out indulging in his own unusual situation. What does he want us to feel? I feel nothing.
- Rex Wickins
I am in my mid-thirties & cannot remember the full apartheid lifestyle. I went to mixed schools - so let's get over it already!! No South African cares what colours make up the Springbok team - only that the players are chosen on merit & not race! Luke Watson was chosen not on merit,...so there alone goes his whole "transformation" & "bigger picture" idea!
Seriously boet - if you recall under Nelson Mandela - the Springbok did more to unite South Africa than anything.
Sick of hearing this political rubbish (living in the UK I can assure you that so are all Australians, Kiwi’s & Brits alike).
- Jason Baris
Luke Watson must never ever wear the Springbok, Western Province, Stormers or any other SA rugby jersey in his life again. He must pack his bags and go and play somewhere else in the world. He should be called to a hearing and face the consequences of his speach. It is uncalled for and the fact that his father and uncles played in the black townships and clubs in the Eastern Cape, does not make them heroes. It was simply a choice they made. Luke was nothing more than a child then and knew nothing about politics at the time. Now he is trying to be the big hero that wanted to vomit on
the Springbok jersey but wore it because his father bled......he is a joke. I am sure that the likes of Breyton Paulse, Brian Habana and every single black, coloured and white player in this country, will never want to share a breakfast or dinner table with him ever. As a rugby supporter and a very proud South African in this country, I feel sad that a player can wear the jersey, representing his country, and feel this way. I get goosebumps and tears in my eyes when they line up and sing the national anthem and he has the honour to be part of such a great occasion and he feels disgusted. Luke watson should be banned from playing in South Africa for life!!!!!!
- Nadia Bouwer
I disagree and believe that given the arrogance displayed by Luke Watson towards co-players and the rules governing selection, throughout the past years, he is very able to vomit on the Springbok jersey that represents a dream of so many young players of all races, colour and background.
I find the misplaced faith expressed by the Western Province Coaching Staff, by choosing this substandard loose forward, in every aspect of the game, astonishing as he would not have made it on the bench of any other Currie Cup team in S.A.
- Jaco Odendaal
I cannot believe that a man so "strong" in his convictions, accepts the Springbok Jersey (several times), plays for the Stormers and Western Province, or is the money forcing him to play.
The comments I have seen in the press, seems more the ramblings of a derranged mind.
- Bill
It is very ironic that the same Springbok emblem that united the whole nation in '95 is now dubbed as "racist"! Why?. Why can't we just live in harmony without certain individuals constantly reminding us of the past?
I think that the Watsons should channel all their energy into an anti-crime campaign rather than breaking down the progress made since '95.
Our
rugby just won't be the same without the Springbok.
- Kobus Kotze
De Villiers and Watson are two peas in a pod!
This is what happens when an individual player thinks he is bigger than the game. He is not that good. He gets swallowed whole by the international flankers because he is so puny. Its like having two scrumhalves on the field!
There is no room in South Africa for you and your ego young Watson. Get lost, the Springboks do not need you!
Also Percy is a senior player in the side and so are a lot of the other players. Percy asking a junior player to toast his senior team mates might be construed as racist by an overly sensitive race obsessed individual.
I think Luke needs to change his perception and get rid of his inferiority complex. His father has obviously driven him mad.
- Richard Millbank
I don't understand what point Luke Watson is trying to make...
There are currently many
black stars in the Bok team that are loved by the whole country(white, black, colored,etc!!), this has been the case since the days of Chester Williams.
Luke shouldn't make biblical references that he doesn't know anything about. That is truly upsetting and shows just how arrogant he really is, not even to mention a desperate attempt to get attention.
I don't understand what sacrifices he had to make being a white player, fulfilling every little boys dream of being a bok, and, off course a nice paycheck.
If he really wants to help, maybe he should give his spot to a black player who actually wants to be part of a team.
P.S. Everybody I know has absolutely no problem with black players playing for the Springboks. It's great and we have some real stars.
I don't care if the team is pink, blue or purple as long as they are the 22 best players in SA. This whole debate is getting ridiculous.
- Frans Hannemann
