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Sunday, February 09, 2025

Why Am I Supporting The All Blacks This Weekend?

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As a lifelong Springboks fan, it feels almost sacrilegious to admit this: today, as I sit in Cape Town Stadium, I’m proudly wearing the black jersey of the All Blacks. Yes, me—the same person who has travelled across continents, supporting and reporting on the Bokke, now finds myself in unfamiliar territory. Why? After celebrating last week’s incredible Springbok comeback with sheer joy, why would I make such a bold switch?

It wasn’t an easy decision. For many of us, the Springboks are more than a rugby team—they embody resilience, unity, and a triumph over South Africa's painful past. But every now and then, it’s important to step out of our comfort zones, to see the game from a new perspective. This weekend, I’ve chosen to experience the match through the eyes of those who have passionately supported the All Blacks for generations, right here in Cape Town.

All week, I’ve been asked why so many South Africans cheer for a team from a distant land, a place they’ve never set foot in or know little about. I was fortunate to cover the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, and I fell in love with its endless beauty and warm people. I’ve also always admired the way the men in black play rugby—it’s a style so different from ours, yet equally captivating. However South Africa is a place I call home, and there is nowhere like it.

In South Africa, it’s impossible to separate politics from sport. The legacy of apartheid still lingers, often in painful ways. The "Cape Crusaders," a fervent group of All Blacks supporters in Cape Town, represent one of those complexities. Their allegiance to New Zealand isn’t a random choice—it’s deeply rooted in their history of oppression and alienation.

Many of these fans, particularly from the coloured community, started supporting the All Blacks during apartheid. Back then, the Springboks were seen as a symbol of white minority rule, which dehumanized and marginalized them. Rugby was segregated—at Newlands Stadium, they were relegated to the worst seats, far from the action. For them, the Springbok emblem was a reminder of their oppressors. In contrast, the All Blacks, who refused to tour South Africa during apartheid, became a beacon of defiance.

For people like me, who grew up watching legends like Bryan Habana, Chester Williams, Cheslin Kolbe, and Siya Kolisi rise to greatness, it’s easy to forget this painful history. Today, the Springboks stand as a symbol of unity and hope for millions of South Africans. But for the Cape Crusaders, the trauma of apartheid still burns fresh. Their support for the All Blacks is not an act of rebellion—it’s an expression of deeply personal history and survival.

I spoke with Clifford Swartz, a fan who lived through apartheid. He shared how his parents, having endured systemic discrimination, supported the All Blacks as an act of resistance. For Clifford, supporting New Zealand is about more than just rugby; it’s a legacy of pride and defiance handed down through generations. Despite the transformation of the Springboks, for people like Clifford, the scars of apartheid are still visible. He believes he owes it to his family to keep up the tradition.

That’s why, for this one day, I’m wearing the black jersey—not to abandon my love for the Springboks, or my country, but to embrace empathy. It’s about recognizing that, for some, sport is a form of protest, a way to reclaim identity, and a reminder of their history. It’s a way of acknowledging that, while South Africa has come a long way, the weight of the past still shapes how we experience the game.

Cape Town’s All Blacks supporters are often labelled traitors or sellouts. Bryan Habana once joked about sending them on a one-way flight to Christchurch. But as Rassie Erasmus wisely noted, we must respect their point of view. Their loyalty to the All Blacks isn’t unpatriotic—it’s tied to a complex history that can’t be dismissed.

So, as I stand among them, draped in black, I’ll be cheering for New Zealand this weekend—not because I’ve turned my back on my beloved Bokke, but because I want to understand a different story, if only for this one day. It will be the first—and last—time I wear the All Blacks top while facing the Springboks.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

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