WC2010 may be over, but SA is still buzzing

The Fifa World Cup may very well be over. The tourists may very well be home. The flags may very well be off the windows. The trophy may very well be in Spain. The feeling may very well be over. Wait, scratch that last one. If only one thing, the pride, which we shall here forth call the ayoba-ness, of the country is at an all time high.

Yes, this morning the Springboks suffered another poor defeat. To be outplayed by the Aussies and on top of that have some purely strange reffing, well that just sucks. But here in South Africa we have every reason to still be proud of our flag, to be proud of our country.

As you will know, this is a sports blog, so my reasons will stick very much to sport as always.

So first off lets list our reasons to be proud:

GOLF

Shrek. Louis Oosthuizen a 200-1 outside bet for the Open Championship, had perfect timing, to win my favourite major golf championship by a hefty margin on Madiba's birthday. Not only did he do this, but he had the humility to thank everyone under the sun, you may have even hear him thank Jabu for not entering so that he had a chance. Okay, so that last part didn't happen, but the boy from mossel bay has showed the world just how good the Ernie Els golfing foundation in South Africa is. Remember this is just months after the amateur lady from SA, Kelly Shean pushed the eventual winner all the way in the womans masters. 

We also should look at the stats. This year we have had 7 wins on tour. Charl Schwartzel won 2, Ernie Els won 2, Oosthuizen now has 2 and Tim Clark, the perennial second place man won what is regarded by many players as the 5th Major. We currently have 4 major winners on the circuit (Goose, Els, Shrek and Immelman) and have 3 players in the top 20. Man we are good!

SURFING

So, ill be the first to admit, im not the biggest fan of surfing. I mean i don't really like any sport where judges decide the winner and not points or whatever. But in the past had you mentioned surfing the first name that came to mind would have been Kelly Slater from USA. However this is changing, at the recent Billabong Pro (which i have read is a very big event), our very own Jordy Smith won and is now ranked as the top surfer in the world!

Athletics

She might be controversial, but since her return Caster Semenya is wasting no time at filling her trophy cupboard. 2 wins out of 2. You go girl!

We are also in 6th place out of 170 at time of writing in the world junior athletics championships. thats just amazing. Of course special mention will go to Luvo Manyonga for winning the gold medal at long jump. This with a complete lack of funding in the sport (much like my beloved hockey)

Tennis

It might be a bit old, but Chanelle Scheepers into the Round of 16 at the French open, 4 South Africans in the main singles draw at wimbledon, Davis cup imagination reignited and an all round upward curve leaves us with more reasons to be happy!

FANS

Yes for us too... just think Bafana vs Baghana at Soccer City, SA vs All Blacks at soccer city, India vs South Africa Pro 20 at Moses Mabida, a possible olympic bid and the mighty worldwide hot topic of conversation. THE VUVUZELA!!!!

If you arent proudly South African, well, Bakkies is out for a while im sure he could help with a head but!

Until then. Mzansi Forever

Jabu