- Multi-award wining Kouga Express columnist, Catherine White, who is currently working in London is visiting South Africa with her very English boyfriend who set foot in South Africa for the first time. She relates his experience of watching the SA vs England World Cup Rugby match in a South African pub filled to the brim with passionate Boks supporters.
Having spent nearly a year away from my homeland, there was an undeniable excitement in the air as I sat in a quintessential South African pub in the heart of Johannesburg, eagerly awaiting the rugby clash between South Africa and England. What made this particular match even more memorable was the predicament faced by my oh so English boyfriend, who was setting foot in South Africa for the very first time.
The atmosphere was electric, with everyone wearing their green and gold jerseys. My David, opted for a T-shirt my mother gifted him on his birthday, boldly proclaiming: “My Girlfriend is South African, nothing scares me,” with a big South African flag on it.
Little did he know, he was about to be plunged into a sea of passionate South African rugby fans. Was he scared? Perhaps. But if so, it would only be because my Joburg friends and I gave him the hard truth as a pep talk before the game: “Don’t show any pride for England.” It was simply not the time or the place…
For the majority of the game, our entire nation was somber. It was like attending a funeral. When you can cut through the tension with a knife, you know there couldn’t have been a worse moment to be a Englishman in a South African pub.
We were joined by two of my Johannesburg friends, who were just as passionate about rugby as I was, if not more so. While I mainly watched for the “gees,” I have in the past often found myself learning more about the game, especially since Bez provides live commentary throughout every match. At some point during the first half, David, my boyfriend, inadvertently let slip a remark that echoed his unmistakable West London accent. My heart skipped a beat.
“Don’t speak,” I cautioned, fearing that a passionate, rugby-loving South African might take offense. And so, David obediently remained silent for the rest of the game apart from the nail-biting moments when England scored. Then he whispered: “Sh*t.”
Let’s just say the referee wasn’t the most popular person in the room. Watching a rugby match is never a dull affair in South Africa; the crowd’s constant commentary and overwhelming sense of national pride add an extra layer of excitement, but things were not looking good.
When Owen Farrell executed that spectacular drop kick for England, I couldn’t help but be impressed, even though I was rooting for South Africa with all my heart. I stole a glance at David, shook my head in mock disapproval, fully aware that the kick was nothing short of brilliant. In response, David put on his best act of feigned disappointment and shook his head gently. I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
There is something about our rugby spirit, or “gees” as we call it. It is unbreakable, whether we’re cheering on the Springboks from the comfort of our home turf or from a London pub where I’ve at times been the sole South African amidst a sea of Brits. Alone I would stand and proudly cheer on my team with more passion for the game than the Brits around me combined. This time my man was dealing with something one hundred times more powerful.
Of course minutes before the final whistle would blow and we would say goodbye to the opportunity to beat New-Zealand and reclaim the title of World Cup Champions, we fought back, and with Handre Pollard’s long goal kick, we were named contenders for the final.
We take immense pride in our rugby prowess, not just because we’re good at it, but because it is a huge part of our history and it unites us. People were dancing on tables! As I sat in those London pubs, watching the previous games unfold on the screen, I couldn’t help but reflect on the resilience of our nation. It was this very game against England that showcased our unwavering determination.
David was happy that South Africa won. He even said: “You wanted it more.” I think I’m going to buy him a new T-shirt that reads: “I watched a South Africa vs. England World Cup rugby game in a South African pub, nothing scares me.”
It’s good to be back. Once a South African always a South African and right now in the midst of this our World Cup journey I could not be more proud. May the groen kant beat the swart kant. Even just by one point!
Catherine White is an award-winning multimedia journalist, and director of Cat White Media. She has worked for some of the largest news publishers in South Africa in radio, TV, print and online video. Catherine, who is originally from Jeffreys Bay, completed her high school education at Global Leadership Academy (2015) after which she studied Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University in Makhanda, and graduated at the top of her class. Her recent move to London, England is in pursuit of an international journalism career with the hope of returning to South Africa as an African correspondent.
