Shoot the Springbok

This persistence by the ANC to destroy anything and everything that we hold dear has divided this country more than it could possibly have brought us together.

It is obvious that they will not rest as long a single name or reference to our past remains.

The pride of our national sport has always been Springbok rugby; this emblem has however become just another one of the obsessions of this regime.

This proud emblem is now used as a stick beat us into submission if the white folk dare misbehave.

It is a shame that our pathetic soccer performance does not get this amount of attention even though they are on the brink of not qualifying for the FIFA 2010 played on their home soil. Viva 2010, so much for the rainbow nation.

People who “want to shoot the Springbok” should do it and get it over with, says former Springbok captain Naas Botha.

However, two other former Springbok captains and a veteran of two World Cup triumphs have different ideas about the future of the national rugby team’s emblem.

”It is more about representing your country than about the emblem on your chest anyway,” Botha said in an interview on Wednesday.

His comments, which could be seen as a message to SA rugby administrators, will certainly raise eyebrows.

Botha is not in favour of scrapping the Springbok. However, he feels “everyone is tired of hearing every year that the Springbok has to go.

Shoot it now and get it over with,” he said.

Botha expressed his views after Sascoc president Moss Mashishi had confirmed that he had written to sports minister Makhenkesi Stofile, requesting him to “provide guidance" about the fate of the Springbok emblem.

It has been suggested that the Springbok be replaced by the King Protea.

Botha said little boys dreamt of playing for the Springboks one day, “but it’s really about representing one’s country.