Luke: ‘I don’t hate Afrikaners’
13 Oct 2008
Luke Watson says his comments on transformation were recorded unlawfully and have been distorted for “propagandistic purposes”.
In a brief statement made on Sunday, Watson said he was left with a “feeling of absolute disgust that people could stoop to these levels for the sake of a story”. He was responding to newspaper reports on Sunday.
“This was a private discussion on transformation. It was unlawfully audio recorded and unlawfully distributed and I therefore reserve my rights.”
Attempts by “some elements” to turn his comments into an attack on Afrikaans people was “disingenuous and despicable”.
“We as an entire family have historically fought against discrimination of any sort. How could I possibly be accused of an anti-Afrikaner attitude? My maternal grandfather is a Van Rensburg, my paternal great-grandmother was a Schoeman and my aunt is a Swanepoel.
“These vindictive and malicious propagandistic attacks are meant to divert debate from the real issues, such as transformation, unity and development.
“Anyone who knows me would reject this slanderous attack with the contempt it deserves,” said Watson.
Stand-in Springbok captain Victor Matfield told Die Beeld’s Morris Gilbert that Watson’s comments were unfortunate, but added it was Watson who isolated himself within the Springbok set-up. Matfield said this year he tried to involve Watson, but that it was obvious to the squad that Watson – in his heart and soul – did not want to be a Springbok or be there.
Former Springboks Frik du Preez and Wynand Claassen were also interviewed in the Afrikaans media, with Claassen calling for a ban on Watson and Du Preez saying many felt the same way Watson did about seeing him in a Bok jersey when the player’s selection was forced on former Springbok coach Jake White.
412 Comments
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13 Oct 2008, 18:59 pm
It’s a conspiracy … Luke has been offered a contract in another country because he isn’t good enough in SA. So now he gets wiped off the record in SA, everybody thinks it is great and e moves on to make some cash.
13 Oct 2008, 19:10 pm
What is the difference between afrikaners and africans. Afrikaans started in South Africa. I am afrikaans but also an african! Cause I was born in SA and I will always be Proudly South African!
And kevin w I hope you are right! He will fit perfectly with the Aussies and that other traitor called Rathbone!
13 Oct 2008, 20:01 pm
#401 kevin w: Huh!!!!!!!!!
13 Oct 2008, 20:23 pm
i thought afrikaans comes mostly from holland, in fact dutch was an official language as late as the 60′s i believe. there are many afrikaners living outside south africa as well as engelse. i doubt watson will leave, his family is setup in the country and respected by many. i think they’re all a bit full of themselves and bit dodgy but they’ve done some pretty brave things, unfortunately as someone else said respect needs to be earned, wont win it this way, still young.
13 Oct 2008, 23:28 pm
Not quite the 60′s. More like 1925. The Watson’s full of themselves? Yes of course.
14 Oct 2008, 00:39 am
i would like to know what Luke has done for the underpriviledged black people in SA, and what the bigger picture is that he was referring to. I want to know what makes him so special other than what his daddy has told him.
or was he purely saying what he thought the crowd wanted to hear?
14 Oct 2008, 03:17 am
I think Watson’s statement really comes down to personal issues – if racism was such a problem then there would be uproar amongst all of the black players but I’ve never heard anything about Habana struggling to get in the side? No because he’s amazing, same goes with Nokwe – his speed is a real weapon and with the right coaching he could too be the next star. Pietersen? Nuff said, sturdy on defence, capable of some great running in space and hopefully back his old self again. The Beast – the guy is fast becoming a legend and a worthy selection, again has proved his merit!
I must admit that Adi Jacobs did get a bit of the Luke treatment and that pissed me off a bit as I always had faith in Adi and boy did he prove his critics wrong big time! Does anyone still think Fourie should start ahead of him? I guess the difference is with Jacobs is that he just got on with it and came up with the goods.
This supposed evil “afrikaaner” racism which Luke cries foul about is as bad as he makes out given there are more black players coming into the team and it pretty much seems to be on merit. Luke seems to generalise the Bok team as an entire white team, but looking more closely this includes Januarie, Habana and the other non-white players who also didn’t want to sit with him because of the drama that surrounds him.
Watson is partly to blame for his own predicament but also a pawn manipulated by his Dad who still thinks he’s fighting apartheid. Before this I felt a bit sorry for him as I thought he got a raw deal with all the hate on here but after these comments I have lost respect for him, they were unneccessary and in the current climate he needs to be treading carefully.
What Watson fails to realise or perhaps chooses to ignore is that not all afrikaaners are white…and given where he’s playing he should be well aware that a sizeable portion of afrikaans speakers are coloured and live in the Western Province…his dutchmen comment generalises everyone myself included.
14 Oct 2008, 03:29 am
What a wally. This dude is as racist as it gets. Big chip on his shoulder. reminds me of Skoppie…….
14 Oct 2008, 05:33 am
Give the little okie a break – he was probably drunk and trying to get into a UCT drama student’s pants… doing the whole “we will bleed for a cause” thing. Everyone knows that the UCT drama students gag for that stuff!
I also think that too many dumb amateur dutchmen stuff up SA rugby. And too many dumb amateur coloureds, blacks and engish speakers as well. But mostly dumb amateur dutchmen.
Good thing there are no dumb amateur indians in the setup, or else I would be a real racist!
luckily they are too busy killing our cricket.
The Bok emblem preceded Apartheid, and has been a symbol of sporting excellence throuh many governments and regimes. I like the fact that all Saffas want to unite under the emblem of WINNERS! That shows the kind of take no prisoners approach that SA needs in the way it handles things – that is the only way to survive.
14 Oct 2008, 05:36 am
Nelson Mandela preached unity and reconciliation. Luke and Cheeky preach division. Except for a few pricks at teh last Bok game, most suppporters want to see the game supported by everyone, and pulling awesome players from the biggest talent pool they can.
Perhaps the only reason that Luke and his Pa want to sow division and have the Bok name removed is because Stofile promised the manufacturing rights to Cheeky for the new Protea jerseys?
14 Oct 2008, 08:04 am
This whole saga is beyond funny, it’s not about black vs white anymore , whitey wil nou vir whitey bliksem hahahahahahahahaha ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !.. are you falling apart or what?
14 Oct 2008, 14:40 pm
#279 Pietman: Chiliboy has been fine for a long time, its just a cover up from Frans Ludeke who doesn’t like Chiliboy. Trust me, I know.
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