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As someone who’s had a complicated relationship with rugby her entire life, I am happy to say that I am massively excited for the impending Rugby World Cup.
Before I go start waxing lyrical about the RWC, let me break down ‘complicated’ for you.
Rugby is in my blood. I’m an Afrikaans girl from Pretoria and was raised at mother’s knee to appreciate the rough and tumble of the sport. Naas Botha, while much maligned by other provinces (bunch of sore losers if you ask me), was a true hero; and I remember harbouring a particular fondness for Uli Schmidt, in my opinion one of the best hookers of all time.
While I’ve never physically been to Loftus waar dit rof is, I can rarely recall a Saturday afternoon memory that didn’t feature the soundtrack of the droning commentator and the roaring crowds in the background.
In high school, like many teen girls, I was annoyed and alienated by the ridiculous fuss made of the rugby-playing boys. The amount of concessions and excuses and privileges granted to them irked me and tugged at my sense of justice.
And then the inevitable sports accidents started to happen and many young men ended up with shattered collarbones and torn knee ligaments, while the really unlucky ones ended up in wheelchairs.
High school rugby has a lot to answer for.
But in my early twenties I rediscovered the beauty of the game.
Yeah, I know calling a bunch of thick-set, hairy-thighed men grunting and shoving and tackling each other over a very impractically shaped ball, “beautiful” is a bit of a stretch, but there you have it.
Like I said, it’s in my blood.
And for someone who is surprisingly patriotic, it’s nice to look forward to an event where our side might actually do something to make us proud.So, I am really looking forward to the next eight weeks.
To make it more enjoyable the bunch at Food24 have compiled a list of restaurant and bar specials especially geared for the World Cup, while the boys at Sport24 will keep you entertained with everything from LIVE interactive match commentary to the ultimate World Cup Quiz.
So tell me, people. Are you as keen as I am for two months of rucks and mauls and line outs? Or are you just looking forward to a bit of quiet time with a book or an excuse to drink beer five nights a week?
Love and egg-shaped balls,
Lili
