Small mercies and big lessons: Boks face reality after shock

THANK goodness for small mercies.

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Like finding a well-placed chair after a day of walking, your feet beating in time with your heart, or that first slurp of cold tap water when your mouth feels like a gravel trap. Or, perhaps, like the blessing of a wedding scheduled on the same day the Springboks lost to the Wallabies at Ellis Park for the first time in more than 60 years.

The ceremony unfolded against a waterfall backdrop, and after a short trek up to the reception, the customary speeches regaled us with tales of the bride and groom for much of the match. By the time the formalities had drawn to a close, the Boks had already stumbled to a 38-22 defeat — leaving those of us at the wedding to catch up on the shock, rather than live through the collapse in real time.

In that little microcosm of South African life, there was indignation at the defeat while the dance floor was officially opened up. Questions of what, how, where and when were asked with a degree of polite rage.