NewsBite

Rugby World Cup 2015: Springboks “a bunch of losers” if they fail again says SA sports minister

South Africa’s sports minister publicly calls on the Springboks to “represent the nation when it counts.” If not, he says, then they are “just a bunch of losers”.

Springboks just ‘a bunch of losers’
Springboks just ‘a bunch of losers’

It can’t be much fun being in the Springboks camp just now.

Each passing exhortation as to the glory of Japan’s thrilling win over them — and there’s been plenty — reopens wounds that have barely begun the healing process. They are the stooges, the patsies, to the defining moment of the Rugby World Cup so far. The punchline to the cruellest of jokes.

And it’s not going to stop any time soon, with even their own sports minister, Fikile Mbalula getting stuck in to them, making an urgent phone call to the coach to urge him and the players to start representing the nation and warning that any more slip ups and they will be considered as nothing more than “a bunch of losers.”

Speaking at a rally the day after the seismic result in Brighton, Mbalula did not mince his words.

“Mr Heyneke Meyer, please, and your team, represent South Africa and make us proud,” he began.

“What I saw yesterday is not the Springboks I know. And I phoned the coach and I told him, we are a nation of fighters. Next game I want to see the Springboks ... otherwise there will be nothing else but a bunch of losers who failed to represent the nation when it counts.”

And with that rousing motivational speech ringing in their ears, South Africa continue their preparation for a now tricky looking match against Samoa at the weekend.

What could possibly go wrong ...

Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2015: Springboks “a bunch of losers” if they fail again says SA sports minister

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup-2015-springboks-a-bunch-of-losers-if-they-fail-again-says-sa-sports-minister/news-story/2fbd1b4f36881e8ee73f6e7037786686