Bulls or bullies?
About 10 years ago, my son, who was approximately 8 or 9 years old at the time, and I, went to Loftus to watch the Lions play the Bulls.
Yes I am a Lions supporter, most probably the last one left on the planet, so stop laughing now!
Anyway, at some stage during the match the Lions scored a magnificent try, and my little boy jumped up waving his little red and white flag celebrating our teams endeavour. Suddenly this huge fat, “insult to everything civilised”, grab my boy by his neck and screamed in his face,
“Laaitie, as jy nou weer daai vlaggie van jou waai druk ek dit in jou gat in op!”
I immediately reacted to this disgusting bully, telling him in no uncertain terms what I will do to him if he ever touch, or even simply talk to, my child again. Like the typical bully that he was, he and his four buddies ran to the ‘Stadium Security’, complaining that I threatened him with violence. With the support of the one or two Pretorians with manners, I could explain to the security guys that this fat arsehole not only threatened my child, but in the process touched him as well, which actually constituted assault.
Eventually ‘Stadium Security’ marched the arsehole and his friends out of the stadium. The damage was unfortunately done, and the day was completely spoiled for us, thus we left soon after, and have never been back to that nest of disgusting people.
I did write to the “gods” in the “suits” at Blue Bulls Rugby about the incident, but they didn’t regard it as worth their while to respond or even acknowledge receipt of my letter.
I have over the years heard from a variety of people that my experience wasn’t unique. I suppose that explains the obtuse ‘gert.swart.393’, ‘corinne.m.cordiergoodrich’, ‘Priesterb’ and their ilk, that regard insulting anyone on this forum with a different opinion to theirs, as constructive debate. Say anything about the Bulls, their players or for that matter Heyneke Meyer, and a very ugly mudslinging action will be unleashed, that is a guarantee.
By contrast, arriving at the Shark tank in Durban in opposition colours is one of the most entertaining experiences one can have. During the match their will be the obligatory banter, wit end “lip”, but afterwards it is completely impossible to get out of the car park.
“Did you guys drive down especially for the game?”
“Don’t drive back now, have a beer and a boerieroll!”
“Don’t worry about the drive back, stay over, phone your wife and tell her you are staying over with friends!”
After the necessary phone calls are made, to tell the missus in Joburg about your instant new “best” friends, and to the missus in Durbs to inform her about the unexpected, slightly inebriated, guests she will have soon, the car-boot social will begin in full swing. The banter and the “lip” will start up again, and after a few cans of “long cold ones” lively discussions will be had about rugby, life, South Africa, just about everything. Life will look so good. Until, of course, tomorrow morning, waking up in a strange house, with strange people and the curse of Bacchus saturate your entire being.
I salute the Shark supporters, great people! Unfortunately the extreme counterargument is true for the Bulls supporters.
Vastly different experiences, vastly different people, vastly different hospitality. Why?
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