Autumn Internationals 2022

It’s easy for you to think that it isn’t a big deal because you seem capable of closing your eyes and ignoring the behaviour and everything that this behaviour results in. You can shield yourself from it and see no repercussions. But that’s because you are choosing to do so. You are choosing to ignore what his actions are doing which enables a “no big deal” position. But is it really not a big deal that people received death threats because of what Rassie did? Do you really think people receiving death threats is “no big deal”?

For starters, I don’t roar and shout at refs as you’re describing there so don’t feel I’m being hypocritical. Especially given that I call out that behaviour when I hear it (as posters on this forum can attest to).

But secondly, and perhaps more importantly, there is a very big distinction to be drawn between a nobody in a stand at a game shouting abuse at a ref when (a) the ref cannot hear it, (b) the nobody has no real authority at all and (c) the only people who hear it are those in the immediate vicinity. The refs see what Rassie posts. He has authority because of his position in the game. He has a podium that most don’t ever have. I’d also draw a big distinction between heat of the moment stuff and premeditated, cynical and malicious actions carried out after the fact.

I don’t condone abuse of referees in any form. And I call it out a lot, in person at games as well as online to anonymous internet posters and international coaches. But it’s possible to do that and also see a very important difference between the eejit in the stands in the heat of the moment and the coach online with deliberate and viscious intent. Both are bad. The latter is worse.

@lawrencesummers what you say about the Boks' game plan being suited to knock out, cup rugby is unfortunately so true. Them winning the RWC next year would be awful for the sport.

I was thinking today about how complimentary the Kiwis were when we beat them during the summer, and how all the focus was on what they are doing wrong, what do they need to fix.

The contrast is incredible.

Was also thinking that it's funny that my Twitter is full of mentions of Rassie and Elon Musk, two successful South Africans who claim to be mavericks but in reality are deeply, deeply insecure about what people think of them and would literally say or do anything just to have people like them.

Some bizarre **** on this thread but the last paragraph here takes the cherry.

Okay I was finished with this but I'll just respond to this.

Firstly can you say with absolute certainty that Rassie's comments resulted in death threats? Would the comments of Kolbe's wife lead to death threats? Would the comments of somebody else have led to these death threats?

Everybody is entitled to air their opinions too.

More importantly, how can you blame a person for the actions of idiots on social media? Would you agree with me that social media is a big problem if it's leading to death threats? I'd be of the opinion that we should shut down all social media sites for the safety of everybody.

Jaysus! I assume the Rand is in the shitter? One thing I like about the boks is there's no foreign influence. 2020 is right in a way, all other sides have a gaggle of foreigners among the squad.

But Ireland and Munster turned a bang average player, into an international. Most leagues have a load of Boks, Aussies and Kiwis.

Out of interest,

How come Mtawarira could play for the Boks (born in Zimbabwe) but Madosh Tambwe (born in DR Congo, but with an SA passport) could not?

He's going to be class for France in a few years.

You dont need to look outside your boarders when every player is such a fan of having ridiculously high levels of “brocolli” in their diet from a young age.