THE Daily Voice went to braai with rugby fans at the Premium Sports Bar last weekend.
The gees was electric as the Bokke took on New
Zealand in their opening Rugby World Cup game.
Munier was keen to check out the rivalry because, as you know, there’s a large All Blacks fan base on the Cape Flats.
Fortunately, that was not the case on Saturday, and there was only a handful of black shirts in a sea of green and gold - they were easily outnumbered about 20-1.
Not that it would make any difference to the scoreline.
What did bother Munier just a wee bit was while the world champs were performing the Haka, chants of “ole, ole, ole” rang out in the bar, drowning out the players’ voices.
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Apparently, the Premium Sports Bar fans weren’t the only spoilsports who jeered at the Kapa O Pango.
According to reports, spectators in the Yokohama Stadium in Japan did the same.
The New Zealand rugby-loving public were mortified and tackled the “disrespectful” Bok fans in the media.
How dare they not observe a minute’s silence for the traditional Maori dance?
Well, do they really have to?
Do opposition players have to just stand there and watch the Kiwi players stamp their feet, slap their thighs and make
throat-slitting gestures?
Do bars and TV rooms around the world have to hou hulle bekke as the All Blacks scream “Ka Mate! Ka Ora!” (here we live or die)?
The New Zealanders already enjoy a special right and privilege of using international rugby fields as their cultural stage.
But to expect the
opposition to just take it as “Maori warriors” declare war on them, screaming at and intimidating them?
That’s not how battle works.
Can you imagine if this sort of confrontation played out on the streets of Manenberg?
And one gang started
making their stemme dik, threatening to make the other “ wit bene”?
Do you think the rival
skollies would just stand there in silence and show their appreciation?
Ha-ah! Jy dala nie so nie.
All’s fair in love and war.
The All Blacks shouldn’t be so quick to complain that they’re not getting respect.
They’re big and tough. Take it on the chin, mate.
Meanwhile, one group of foreigners who did get plenty of love and respect from South Africans was Prince Harry and Meghan.
Yoh, that was unexpected.
Mense came out in their hordes and lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess.
Some were even lucky enough to get a handshake, hug and selfie with the couple.
And all the fuss over baby Archie... can you believe it?
Munier has always been curious about royal
fanfare and how an ordinary, unremarkable family can somehow be elevated to idol status - in a faraway
continent.
Meghan with Cape fans.
OK, Meghan is a
Hollywood star in her own right; coming from humble beginnings, she made it big in a cut-throat industry.
But Harry? Other than being born into the House of Windsor with a golden spoon in his mouth, what is his claim to fame?
Fans have commented on how down-to-earth and “humble” he is.
So, he should be.
During his tour, Harry has been hosted by some great people who have done great things.
He hasn’t won
back-to-back rugby world cups, yet he seems to get more respect than the All Blacks!
taariq.halim@inl.co.za