It is 28 August and the day of the Bok selection is upon us.
Anticipation, excitement and trepidation pulse through the veins of the die-hard South African supporters. Coach Heyneke Meyer’s road thus far has not been smooth. The hard loss to Argentina will be fresh in the minds of the faithful and even more fresh in the minds of the not-so-faithful.
The Sprinkboks are on the cusp of an incredibly challenging 2015 Rugby World Cup. Superpower, New Zealand once again dominates first spot in the world rankings with Ireland standing second – the threatening figure of a dark horse; Australia stands third; a sheepish fourth place start for the mighty Boks.
21 days until the metal of the new players is tested. 21 days until the constitution of the veterans is stretched.
But despite the stumbles and the heartaches, despite the weather and the form of the opposition, despite the angry selection debates with thousands of Springbok coach-wannabes, we know in our hearts that the Boks always have a shot.
As South Africans we are called upon once again to show the same raw emotion that pushed the team over in 1995 and again in 2007. The same passion that we showed in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and realise that we have the opportunity to become the first country in history to hold the Webb Ellis Cup for a third time.
So put on your your green jersey today, join the fans in typical Joburg style. Tear-spattered, dusty or still sitting scrunched up on the floor where you threw it in anger, just more reason to put our heads up as a nation and embrace the fresh start that the Rugby World Cup represents.