[Opinion] A young black star's painful encounter with the racism of rugby

[Fulcrum29]

but if you are the same level as him why does he deserve the spot over you? especially if you've been head-hunted/poached from far away? I mean, why bother then (as the union)

In that case the person will already have an opportunity, a monetary motivation. Just because you are headhunted doesn’t make you the best, when you look at rugby competition like Craven Week where headhunting in SA starts at the root then you will note that many kids playing there never end up in a rugby career. There is only that much room in a squad where players don’t want to be the second or third best playing in a lower ranked team. We had Springboks which played in the 2nd/B team, and even lower.

Then there are opportunities which are alienated, something which is on-going under the white camp. These players are the ones which pack their bags to seek a greener pasture. Normally there is no headhunting involved here.

In the end, it is the players which are bothered.

 

[MickeyD]

You have to trust the coach, remember his job is on the line as well and he won't overlook talent no matter if he's green, red or purple with pink spots.

I reckon, get your head down and prove you are worth the spot. A few make it, most don't. But if you are predisposed to blaming others, you won't make it.

As a player, if you have a problem with the coach then you (the player) must move on. There are plenty of other provinces...

 

[HunterGR]

As a player, if you have a problem with the coach then you (the player) must move on. There are plenty of other provinces...

^^ this too

 

[AfricanTech]

You have to trust the coach, remember his job is on the line as well and he won't overlook talent no matter if he's green, red or purple with pink spots.

I reckon, get your head down and prove you are worth the spot. A few make it, most don't. But if you are predisposed to blaming others, you won't make it.

True, very true...

Very little of worth in life comes easy.

 

[Pitbull]

but if you are the same level as him why does he deserve the spot over you? especially if you've been head-hunted/poached from far away? I mean, why bother then (as the union)

But that's just it. How do we (non coaches) determine when someone is the same level?
For a coach to be able to communicate better with a certain player would make him slightly better player not true?

 

[Pitbull]

In that case the person will already have an opportunity, a monetary motivation. Just because you are headhunted doesn’t make you the best, when you look at rugby competition like Craven Week where headhunting in SA starts at the root then you will note that many kids playing there never end up in a rugby career. There is only that much room in a squad where players don’t want to be the second or third best playing in a lower ranked team. We had Springboks which played in the 2nd/B team, and even lower.

Then there are opportunities which are alienated, something which is on-going under the white camp. These players are the ones which pack their bags to seek a greener pasture. Normally there is no headhunting involved here.

In the end, it is the players which are bothered.

I agree 100% sure there are real issues where players are not given a chance because of who they are or where they come from. This however is being downplayed by a guy who feels he's entitled to a spot because of his back ground. This is doing more damage to the cause of those players truly being alienated that it's doing any good. It also cheapens the achievements great black players have achieved through their struggles. I can add loads of names here but these 2 will likely be a prime example: Errol Tobias and Chester Williams. Not even speaking of the current black players to of their game and the best at their positions currently playing for the Boks and their Super franchises. It feels like this dude is cheapening all these achievements because he feels entitled.

 

[Werner Harding]

What a bunch of bullshicht. When a white kid writes an article like that saying that he is the better player, but don't get chosen because of the quota system he will be branded a racist. If you truly are better prove it, don't whine about it.

 

[losta]

.... at first I was told I “need to learn Afrikaans if I want to further my career at this union” but I couldn’t accept this.....

What's his problem with learning a local african lingo to enhance communication and team spirit?

 

[Stefanmuller]

but if you are the same level as him why does he deserve the spot over you? especially if you've been head-hunted/poached from far away? I mean, why bother then (as the union)

Because of quotas in his case. They head hunted him not because he is just as good, but rather because he looks like a promising player to have to fill the quota if there is pressure. It is an unavoidable truth that if you have quota pressure, you would be looking to sign players who would mostly warm the bench and only play in less important games or every now and then to make up the racial numbers if need be. Not saying this is necessarily the case here but it is very possible.

 

[Milano]

Where is the part which describes his encounter with racism?

 

[Aghori]

**** Rugb, that game sucks. Sweaty men running for balls.

 

[Kilgore_Trout_Redux]

Another "Victim". It's no surprise that some entitled muppet with a victim complex doesn't get far in the highly competetive world of professional sport.