FOOTBALL
“I see already now, a change in PSL. I see already now the change. When I got there, there were games I watched and couldn’t believe my eyes because of the [poor] level of the game. The players, with the fat arse. Okay, sometimes you still see them. But now, you see them less. How can you play a high level when you have an arse like that? It’s true. You need to be an athlete. If you don’t live like an athlete, take care of yourself, train well and go to the gym – then you’re finished.” – Bafana coach Hugo Broos.
“Africans left their mark on world leagues. Eto’o, Drogba, Okocha, Weah, Mane, Salah and more. You can’t sit at the same table as these names. Who are you to attack our AFCON? In Africa, you say Carragher, people will think you’re talking about a brand of ketchup or mustard.” – Senegal’s El Hadji Diouf.
“[Qualifying for the World Cup] is fantastic, not only for us as coaches or players,but for the whole nation. I heard somebody saying on the pitch after the game, everybody laughed at Bafana Bafana. We were a joke, and now we are there. We are on a high level, and everybody respects us.” – Hugo Broos.
RUGBY
“I have a saying, ‘Talent needs a target that nobody else can hit, but a genius hits a target that nobody else can see’.” – Bath coach Johann van Graan.
“I am just surprised that Rassie (Erasmus) has not started Pollard. That’s my boy. He’s played [sic] Sacha, who I think personally is a bit windgat. And might cost us the game.” – John Allan.
“The moment I received the call I got goose bumps – it still feels too good to be true. I’m like a Grade One going to school for the first time. I’m so excited; it’s a privilege and an honour.” – Johan Ackermann on getting the Vodacom Bulls job.
“The day you stop dreaming is the day you die in life.” – Johann van Graan.
“We were dog shit.” – Rassie Erasmus after the loss to the Wallabies at Ellis Park.
“You know when your mom sends you a message to say she still loves you, things aren’t lekker.” – Rassie Erasmus.
“My dream is that young boys and girls see themselves as equal, so that we can finally foster a society that does not see women as lesser than.” – Babalwa Latsha, Springbok women’s prop.
“They are fucking tired . . . Sacha LET’S GOOO!” – Siya Kolisi, on the sidelines versus France.
“They are fucked.” – Boan Venter.
OTHER
“I give you the chance to be respectful and if you try to bully me or try to be disrespectful and try to be a smart ass, I will put you in your place.” – Dricus du Plessis.
“I don’t know what to say. This comes after a lot of really difficult times, a lot of times that I thought I’d do this earlier in my career. It felt like I was Tiger Woods. There were so many people. All the energy that I had, I can’t thank everyone enough for coming out.” – SA Open winner Dylan Naidoo.
CRICKET
“We came here with a lot of belief, also a lot of doubters, and we were able to play well enough to get that type of result. It’s a special moment for us and for the people back home.” – Temba Bavuma, South Africa captain, after lifting the Test championship mace.
“You get a duck in the first innings and come into the second with concerns . . . just really grateful it worked out nicely.” – Aiden Markram, Player of the Match, for his match-winning 136.
“They absolutely deserve to make the final and showed why they are very deserving champions.” – Pat Cummins, Australia captain, showing grace in defeat.
“They started the match as underdogs, but that indomitable spirit, that is a characteristic of the South African nation, carried the team through.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa, celebrating the national triumph.
“I thought we had enough and we need to bowl. Secondly, Brian Lara is a legend, let’s be real. He got 401, or whatever it was, against England.” – Wiaan Mulder on declaring on 367 against Zimbabwe.
