colinD/30Jul
Winning or not winning in sport is not the whole story, but it is certainly a sizeable part of the social practice. Winning is such a different feeling to losing; to not winning. And, beating New Zealand at anything is a terrific feeling!
I have been keeping a casual eye on the Commonwealth Games being played in the land of Scotch. South Africa is doing rather fine in some sports. The one that captivated me is Sevens Rugby, where SA won Gold against the team that wears a silver fern. That team seldom has to settle for silver; they are more often than not at the top of the world.
A win against the greatest exponents of any form of union rugby, New Zealand, is sweeter than any other. If it is at a major event, such as the Commonwealth Games, it is even better. Beating the best is being at the top of the world, even if only for a moment. Anyone who doubts New Zealand’s (NZ) supremacy need only look at a few metrics. Maybe the most persuasive measure is simply the way they play; powerful, skilled, fast, innovative, committed, balanced, with passion and a belief that they are the best. Then there are the records that fire-up the way New Zealanders play; the virtuous circle of success breeding success. NZ has won 57.5% of games played against South Africa; we have won 40%; this makes them 40% better than us. SA has won 63% of all its games, while NZ’s is 76%. Of the five Commonwealth Games events where 7s rugby has featured, NZ has won four Gold medals. Pretty impressive.
That is why, when we beat them, it is a great sense of achievement.
While watching the Commonwealth match I looked for something beyond the winning and losing. I was, of course, most interested in the team wearing green and gold. I saw an impressive array of skills, pace, power, short hair, dreadlock kinda-things, skinny legs, big okes, dark- less dark and light skinned fellows, young and not so young, veterans and newbies, and I witnessed joie de vivre. I saw South Africa in microcosm. (Yes, there were members of the other gender, off-field, in the support team; they were there too!)
The big fellows scrummed, jumped, stole balls, bashed up and then released the oval leather to the skinny guys waiting on the wings. They were like the wind, slipping though grasping fingers. I saw how people with different skills, physiques and competencies all contributed to a team’s winning performance. Here the team is certainly greater than the sum of the individuals.
What does this tell us; teach us? Are there lessons here for all South Africans? I see more than the often quoted cliché that “sport unites us”. This dynamic may be true, but it is often momentary, rather than enduring. I am looking for something that is perennial, that is proof to each of us that when we give ourselves a chance; when we are convinced that we are in this team together, we can be winners.
We all want to win. We all want to be at the top of the world. We can be if we are willing to do the hard yards; learn, develop ourselves, have a game plan, respect each other, and be responsible. We all have different contributions to make and in so doing we shall be great.
