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Fans get behind Boks
11/07/2007 11:52 - (SA)
Sydney - As South Africa prepare to face New Zealand in the Tri-Nations on Saturday, the fallout surrounding one of the most controversial Springbok teams selected still dogs the side and its supporters.
Seventy-two passionate Springbok fans on the Vodacom Greatest Supporters Tour stopped over in Australia on their way to the Test in Christchurch - and they were given first hand experience of the mixed feelings towards the Springbok 'B-team' that played Australia last weekend.
Even at 65 000 feet the debate was a hot topic, with the fans being given a double-edged welcome on the flight from Johannesburg to Sydney.
"I'd like to welcome on board the members of the Vodacom Greatest Supporters Tour," said the pilot on the Qantas flight before adding, "Maybe next time you can watch your A team in action".
But while the Australian media continues to castigate Jake White and his decision to rest his key players for the World Cup, the average Australian rugby fan is far less critical of the move.
"I think it's rubbish," Bradley French, a former Australian Schools prop and player for the popular Sydney club Eastwoods, said of the Australian officials' call for South Africa to be booted out of Sanzar.
"If Jake White wants to pull his top players out of the team, then that's fine with me. The Kiwis did it in the Super 14, and the fact is that Australian rugby simply doesn't have enough players to do that.
"It's all about the World Cup this year. As rugby fans we were just happy to see Australia win because any Springbok side is a good one. South African rugby has so much depth you can afford to leave players behind.
"The players that ran out in the Springbok jersey were Springboks and should be counted as such. We know they were all playing their hearts out."
Even the barman at The Rugby Club, a famous rugby pub in Sydney, had something to say on the matter.
"Any time Australia beats South Africa is a good time. You can send out your fifth rate team. We don't care. We just love beating you guys."
- SAPA
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