Piperjames does the Springbok fling
Being one of the top rugby teams in the world means that you have a fan base to match
OVER the recent years, Springbok supporters have covered themselves, their vehicles, partners, children and pets in copious amounts of green paint and Bokke horns before screaming themselves hoarse as our national team charges onto the field.
The feel in the stadium is overwhelmingly exciting as the fans’ cheer and euphoria sends its ripples beyond the Springbok field all the way to our TV screens.
Dress designer Odette Coetzee designed a unique gown which carried the ‘proudly South African’ theme. Then there’s Piperjames ‘Bok’ Piper, also known as James McGowan. This man and his wife, Ina, designed the World’s Official Springbok Tartan, which is registered under the special Tartan Act of 2008 with the Scottish Parliament.
Famously known as South Africa’s royal bagpiper, this colourful piper has played at Queen Elizabeth’s dinner table, the wedding of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles, as the lone piper at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and at the opening of South African Parliament.
Proudly wearing his Springbok tartan kilt, he goes piping through the streets days before a local match, calling for more support and camaraderie as he goes.
Piperjames said he moved to South Africa from the UK in 2006 and was so impressed by the gentlemanly conduct of these giants on the field and how the fans enjoyed the game – he was sold.
‘When I attended the Newlands game against Argentina in 2012, my wife organised one of those giant stuffed Springbok toys from the manufacturers. So I mounted my bagpipes inside the fluffy animal and when I stroked the Springbok’s tummy, music came out of its mouth – I called it the Doodle Bokkie,’ says Piperjames
Piperjames’s next goal is to march the Boks out against Scotland, bagpipes blaring, a larger than life green and gold Jockatini for South Africa.
There are thousands of stories just like these, but they all have one thing in common.
True Springbok supporters realise that there is more to the game of rugby than the 15 Springboks who run onto the field to represent their country.
Every Springbok supporter has a role to play in keeping the game of rugby great and with this privilege comes the responsibility to support the Bokke in a way which adds to the game of rugby and honours your team no matter what the outcome is.
After all, under any great Springbok supporter’s skin is a gentleman who realises there is always the next game to settle the score.
