May 3, 2011. When speaking to South Africa’s rugby media contingent yesterday, Bok coach Peter De Villiers called on the journalists to try to paint a fresh perspective of South Africa, suggesting the world saw the country as backward and lacking in sophistication.
The comments came as De Villiers was announcing that Rassie Erasmus would be heavily involved in the Bok World Cup setup, as a technical advisor, and would also assist in handling the media.
The Sydney Morning Herald in Australia was quick to pick up on the story and said that “De Villiers couldn’t resist being sidetracked as he spoke of a need for the South African media to help provide a fresh perspective on the republic as the Boks prepare to defend the World Cup in New Zealand in September”.
Elephants running in the street. Read more.
De Villiers continued: “We do understand going to the world that people don’t keep South Africans in high regard. They look down on us and think we’re a bunch of hooligans and that there are elephants running in the street.
“You can see it when referees make decisions … it’s always a kind of biased thing.
“We must stand together … show people we’re actually more sophisticated than people outside think.
De Villiers called for a partnership between the Springbok team and management and the media in a bid to keep the World Cup in South Africa. “We need to stand together to show the people that we are actually more sophisticated than what they think.”
Never a dull day when Mr De Villiers is in charge of the Green and Gold.