OPINION: Should South Africans relinquish support to All Blacks?
Should South Africans – particularly people of colour, relinquish their support to the All Blacks, and finally back the Springboks?
If you’re a person of colour (POC) from a South African rugby-fanatic family, you’ll no doubt know relatives who have chosen to support New Zealand’s All Blacks over the country’s national squad, the Springboks.
You’ll also understand why a country on the other side of the world has a deep-rooted history and connection with its biggest rivals.
But is it time for those die-hard supporters to finally give the boys in green and gold their full support?
WHY DO MANY SOUTH AFRICANS SUPPORT THE ALL BLACKS?
In theory, it makes little sense for a country’s citizens to support another in the very same sport. Unless we’re talking about South Africa’s soccer team, Bafana Bafana. But that’s a topic for another day.
For many who don’t know, it has much to do with our country’s dark history and how POC, both in SA and New Zealand, shared a “trauma bond” over racial discrimination.
Some even claim that the Springboks will remain a reminder of Apartheid’s painful past.
Facebook user Nicole de Oliviera posted: “As a person of colour and South African, as a fighter for equality, I will never support the Springboks. To this day, it is governed by extreme racial prejudices, with a few token players.”
She added: “South African rugby is a monument of Apartheid racism and segregation. The people of colour that watch it are slaves with a poor memory.”
Which begs the question: Should sports fans have the freedom of choice on who they wish to support? Or does being a South African make you a Springbok supporter by default?
And what about those who reject the Springboks based on what happened decades ago, by people who have long since died?
The empathetic truth – from my perspective as a POC – is that you cannot tell anyone how to feel. Especially if they have endured pain and trauma at the hands of their oppressors in their past. Their feelings are valid.
Let them support who they want, in this case, the All Blacks. For those who have strong opinions, perhaps their pain needs to be acknowledged.
Ultimately, I believe that their hurt will heal and their faith in South Africa will be restored.
DO YOU SUPPORT THE ALL BLACKS, AND IF SO, WHY?
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