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Bok ending 'biggest injustice in sport'
The way the Rugby World Cup ended for several Springbok stalwarts was nothing short of the “biggest injustice in sport”, Bok assistant coach Gary Gold believes.
As the Boks bowed out of the Rugby World Cup, it also ended the incredible international careers of Springboks John Smit, Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez and Danie Rossouw. The end saw a career finish which spanned a World Cup victory, two Tri Nations crowns, a British and Irish Lions series win and several Currie Cup titles between them. All bar Smit also had Super Rugby titles under their belt.
On the team’s return home, an emotional Gold said while there was still anger at the Boks exit, due credit needed to be given to the nations icons.
Watch the Boks arrival live at 16:15
“It is the biggest injustice in world sport – people don’t understand what these guys bring to the sport, to the Springbok brand and their country. Whether it’s one game or 105 games, these guys give their heart and soul,” Gold said.
“They’re unbelievable ambassadors for South Africa. I just hope that when emotions die down and people get over the pain we’re all going through at the moment that they acknowledge victor and jean as greats who have done outstanding work for the brand and for the country and they’ve left an unbelievable legacy.”
Gold said he understood the anger about the exit, but feels satisfied that the Boks did everything right in their preparation and in the game.
“There will be a lot of people back home who are angry, and a lot of people who over the years have disagreed with what we have done and that’s understandable. But sitting here, unemotionally and without bias, I believe this team could have won the World Cup,” he explained.
“We wanted to play the game, and think about from a defensive point of view how any team would have prepared for South Africa at this World Cup.
“Did you know if we were going to have a go at you, or take it wide? We had all aspects of our game right, our scrum was strong and was something that could hurt you. The replacements were such good replacements.
“ I’m sure one day there will be a lesson in this, right now I’m just not sure what it is. “
Gold was visibly emotional, and equated the exit to the death of a loved one. Certainly pain was felt all around the Bok camp on Sunday night.
“You work so hard for such a long period of time, in a difficult environment, through adversity. You believe it will favour the people that put in the hard work, and it doesn’t. That’s why we love sport; it’s a drug to us. That’s why we love sport, because you have these good days and you have these bad days,” he said.
“It’s indescribable at the moment. It can only equate to the pain of death, it’s a deathbed. Maybe we should take solace in the fact that there are some unbelievable rugby players coming through the ranks of our country and if they are nurtured correctly this team has the ability to be the best in the world.”
