This due diligence of protest, is not applied with vigour and efficacy, and instead a protest of this nature - the masking tape armband - is a primitive retaliatory protest that is so misguided and unsophisticated, that it has now disadvantaged all of South African rugby. What’s next? Toyi-toying out of the tunnel onto the field?

I don’t want to make light of this - as I rather like the idea of a Haka styled Springbok toyi-toyi on to the field - but if South Africa has a legitimate gripe, lodge a written complaint, that day, to the Citing Commissioner and if still not satisfied take it up via Andre Watson - head of the SA Referees, with Paddy O’Byrne of the IRB and if still not satisfied with the outcome, Hoskins writes to Bernard Lapasset & Mike Miller of the IRB and keep it going until it is resolved.

116 nations fall under the Rules & Regulations of the IRB - South Africa included and they all subscribe to these rules and must follow these due processes.

The fact that South Africa addresses its protests in such a primitive unorthodox manner is not befitting the Number One Rugby playing nation in the world. We have a responsibility as Number One, to uphold standards and conduct ourselves as such and be the best at all levels.

This is the mark of a true Champion and will make the nation proud.

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There is this feeling of resentment out there, rightly or wrongly. A feeling that “they are out to get us”. There is no players representational council, there is no way for players to air their grievances, they have to grin and bear it. Agree with it or not, but those armbands are as much a sign of frustration at the way things are handled as it was support for Bakkies. What the players did were “legally” wrong, sure, but not morally or ethically. If the IRB had any way to listen or arbitrate player’s issues, then this would not have happened. Instead we have to grin and bear it and just face the fact that Schalk cant sneeze without being cited while the Aussies and Kiwis can come onto the field aremd with pangas and not even get a short-arm penalty.

You can’t question the fact that we’re feeling victimised.

But that’s okay, we’ll beat THEM where it hurt – by keeping their trophy cabinets empty!

Tongue firmly in cheek: The only way to stop us from winning the WC in 2011 is to ban us, and they know it! (or maybe with bad seafood the night bfore)

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