Lets remember the Legends

Why is it that when someone is doing exceptionally well we support them and cheer their names but as soon as they leave the rugby fields or if they have a off season they are regarded as the worst player in South Africa, that player playing there wants to do his best and make his country proud he was chosen (and those not playing not), if rugby was easy why isnt the whole country Springboks? To often we say aaagh why did they choose him (not naming names cause every player in South Africa has got a special talent) but if the person behind the TV can do better why dont you play?? Im a Rugby player myself and I am playing for a Provincial team but it is so competitive with the greats like Piere Spies, Schalk Burger and etc. Stop bad mouthing the player on the field he does have dignity and also feelings and hates to have a bad game we are always trying to do better to be competitive and to be the best that we can be. We hate dissapointing our supporters and we appreciate each and every one of you. Lets remember the Greats like John Smit and Francios Pienaar for what they did for the country and for Rugby.

 well said. I don't think we have many current players that actually post on these Boards. Would be interesting to have a few. Please post more, no need for us to know who you are if you feel the guys will be nailing you :)

Oh come on Terence tell us who you are. We can then crit your play and help you become a better player. No need for false modesty!!

Are you  a loose forward perchance?

Terence, not sure who you are and I think it is best we keep it that way. I think it is awesome to have a current top level player chatting with us common folk on the site, so welcome and enjoy it. Also, you'll need  a thick skin here, people will disagree with you, and unknowingly call you names, useless etc, but that does not matter, just ignore them....chances are, they probably played a game of rugby once while they were in school and they therefore now consider themselves to be authorities. I look forward to an inside view of our beautiful game....assuming of course, you are a genuine player, but I'll give you the benifit of the doubt.

Again, welcome, and please don't get chased away from here by the inevitable stupidity of the lowest common denominator.

Yes welcome Terance you will meet some fun loving types here and dour types who just plod along. Ignore them an enjoy the board. Hahahhahahaha

Welcome Terence and its fantastic to have you here mixing it up with us commoners who love rugby as much as any of you players do. I played rugby to club level in the mid eighties in Durban and have followed the game from the early seventies. We criticize because of our passion and love of the game, we want to be the best and yes, sometimes we forget the guys playing are just people with feelings and emotions.

The one thing I hate is when guys here start attacking each other and throw filthy insults. If you do encounter these fools, just ignore and be yourself, don't get sucked in. Having said that though, I must admit there are one or two trolls here that pull me in at times, I try to stay composed but they pull and pull. Anyways, good onya for posting and I look forward to your opinions and posts.

The big problem is that South Africans do not understand rugby very well and have no idea how good these players really are. Too often, far, far too often, the chaff is lauded. In fact, very rarely are our best players recognised as such until they retire or we win a big competition. Think Morne, Monty, Brussow, Du Preez, Juan, Smit, Butch, Fourie et al to name but a small few.

Saffers really can be a very stupid bunch. Makes it too easy for the IRB not to take us very seriously.
 

Terence rugby is a form of entertainment.....but it's also a competition. In both instances, it is there to be judged. If you don't judge the bad tackle, you can't appreciate the good tackle.

I was a great Bobby Skinstad fan. When he was viciously attacked on another rugby board, I defended him. I got some correspondence from a member of his family thanking me for doing so. So I have to believe there is some of this going on.

But it's important to recognize criticism is fair game.  What we want is fairness and objectivity though. Check out thev posting on Adi Jacobs under the heading of "spot your centre". That's a case in point where fairness went out the window.

The reason every single one is here is entertainment. Thus it takes all kinds to make this world work.

I find many opinions here that are at variance with mine and so are obviously totally wrong. So I must put up with Card not appreciating Bissie - who makes no steals and with Lambie being no good and Jean likewise etc. However I must do it with reasonally good grace and Card cannot be right all or even most of the time - unlike me of course!!!

If players and coaches cannot be criticised we may as well all stay away. I wonder how many ever visit a website like this.  

I think what Terence is trying to get across is the way in which players are belittled and insulted. There are many examples on this board, and on many other public forums, and the only one that I can think of at the moment is someone referring to Pierre Spies as Spoes. I don't care how much you dislike a player, that is not on, and I am not going to exclude myself, because we all sometimes tend to go a bit overboard with this, but there are certain boundaries, IMO.

How do I rate with my spiesies and stegsies and potty? 

wow great replys on this, All i was trying to say is that each and every player out there is doing his best and remember this is how we put bread on the table. I unfortunately have left the country for a contract with the blues and I am a loose forward beeno1. Lets apreciate all the Habana's and the Percy's for what they have done for South African Rugby not every one has got that honour to play for the Springboks! GO BOKKE