Connect with us

Fans View

Send Matera back to the Sin Bin!

Published

5 years ago

on

In the first edition of ‘Fans View’, Sam Holmes, owner of the podcast “Kids Eat Toast Sometimes”, shares his views on how the process of punishment, rehabilitation and reintroduction should be handled with Argentinian captain Pablo Matera. 

Sport has and always will have the ability to inspire and unite. For a glorious, 80 minutes, rugby allows us to forget about our worries and differences, as we collectively scream at a referee, whilst giants magnificently crash into each other over the possession of an oddly shaped, oval ball. 

This is not to say that everything is all rosy. The flip side of rugby is that it is also capable of fragmenting society. For some this comes in the form of quota systems. It should not take much to understand the frustration of a young, white rugby player, who is told he is good enough to play in a provincial team, but not the ‘right colour’. Similarly, it should be easy to understand that the quota system is a necessary tool in redressing the unequal society that Apartheid has left us with.

I don’t write that lightly, nor with the hopes of starting a ‘quota war’, which sadly seems the way every sporting debate goes in South Africa. I write the above to illustrate the fact that sport is deeply political, whether you like it or not. Politics is about power and if you asked Rassie Erasmus what rugby is about – he would say the same, whilst adding “It’s obviously about power – but it’s also about fuhking the other team up”. 

Rassie’s sailor mouth aside, what this means for us as fans is that rugby is not limited to the white lines our heroes charge around on every Saturday. Rugby players are not only accountable to coaches and referees – they are now accountable to society at large.

It has been widely covered that former, ex- captain, (wrap your head around that) Pablo Matera has spewed vile and racist messages on Twitter. The racist tweets range from being delighted to leave ‘a country full of blacks’ to waking up on a good morning for ‘driving over blacks’. The tweets are completely indefensible, so why are so many people in South Africa and abroad defending them? 

Before answering that question, its worthwhile to leave our political leanings at the door and ask ourselves a few more questions:

What does a young, black rugby player think when his ex- hero confesses to wanting to run over people that look like him?

 How does Owen Nkumane approach Matera for a post-game interview?

Does a young boy growing up in South Africa now believe that it’s alright to behave like Matera? 

What does Siya Kolisi say when he has to shake Matera’s hand before a game?  

Who knows how to answer the above. What is starkly apparent is the deafening silence of local and international rugby boards. Where is SARU? Where is the World Rugby? Are they so busy printing Black Lives Matter onto playing shirts that they can’t actually come to the defense of Black Lives when it really Matters? 

The backlash surrounding Matera’s tweets are not the result of an out-of-control cancel culture, nor are the tweets poor jokes taken out of context. Simply put, they are a racist call to violence. 

What’s done is done. It is now time to create some good out of a particularly poor moment in humanity. Ultimately, this starts with suspending the Argentine captain. This needs to be done publicly and quickly. Instead of exiling him for life – make sure that he is placed in a 3-6 month course that educates and reforms the way he thinks – again this needs to be done publicly and quickly.

Once Matera has completed the course, allow him to return to the field of play. This may seem highly contradictory to everything that I have just said – however, this is a great opportunity to change society. Matera is a phenomenal leader and as such his patriotism and influence can be harnessed to actively fight racism. Through reformed actions and leadership, he will be able to address not only the harm he has caused in the past, but so too, prevent events like this from happening in the future. 

Instead of placing him in racist self-isolation for the rest of his career, which, some have called for –  allow him and the world to learn from this racist incident and come back to create actual change. 

If Matera is not decisively dealt with – the world should not be overly-surprised when Mr Malema is the first person to greet him at OR Tambo International Airport.

ALSO WATCH: 

Related Topics:
64 Comments

64 Comments

  1. Recomandare Binance

    1st January 2025 at 9:35 am

    Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.

  2. Skapa personligt konto

    29th May 2025 at 8:14 am

    Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.

  3. tlovertonet

    30th January 2026 at 1:03 pm

    hey there and thank you for your info – I’ve certainly picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise some technical issues using this website, since I experienced to reload the site lots of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my email and can look out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again very soon..

  4. fdertolmrtokev

    10th February 2026 at 5:45 am

    My wife and i got so more than happy that Ervin could carry out his investigations by way of the precious recommendations he received out of your blog. It is now and again perplexing just to possibly be giving freely procedures which people could have been selling. And we all know we’ve got the writer to appreciate for this. These explanations you made, the simple website navigation, the relationships your site help to foster – it’s everything exceptional, and it’s aiding our son in addition to our family do think this topic is pleasurable, which is tremendously fundamental. Thank you for all!

  5. rajapola

    15th February 2026 at 9:05 pm

    very nice publish, i definitely love this website, keep on it

  6. slot mahjong

    16th February 2026 at 1:12 am

    you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?

  7. empire88

    16th February 2026 at 4:43 am

    You made a number of nice points there. I did a search on the theme and found the majority of persons will go along with with your blog.

  8. Check Consent Mode V2

    16th February 2026 at 9:26 pm

    Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

  9. bandar togel

    16th February 2026 at 10:27 pm

    You got a very great website, Glad I observed it through yahoo.

  10. deposit 5000

    17th February 2026 at 1:21 am

    Excellent site. Plenty of useful information here. I am sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your sweat!

  11. situs slot depo 5k

    17th February 2026 at 3:47 am

    great submit, very informative. I’m wondering why the other experts of this sector don’t understand this. You must continue your writing. I am sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!

  12. bandar toto macau

    20th February 2026 at 6:03 am

    Just wanna remark on few general things, The website design and style is perfect, the content is really superb : D.

  13. gelatin trick

    20th February 2026 at 12:10 pm

    This is very attention-grabbing, You’re an overly skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and stay up for in quest of more of your excellent post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!

  14. gelatin trick

    20th February 2026 at 12:15 pm

    I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I’m hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. Actually your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own site now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is a great example of it.

  15. gelatin trick

    21st February 2026 at 1:46 am

    Hi my friend! I want to say that this post is amazing, great written and include almost all significant infos. I would like to see more posts like this.

  16. gelatin trick

    21st February 2026 at 1:46 am

    I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye

  17. Rodney Tarbert

    21st February 2026 at 11:23 am

    I have been surfing on-line more than 3 hours these days, but I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours. It’s lovely worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made just right content as you did, the net will probably be much more helpful than ever before.

  18. slot depo 5k

    22nd February 2026 at 1:57 pm

    I conceive other website owners should take this web site as an model, very clean and great user friendly style.

  19. bandar slot online

    22nd February 2026 at 9:50 pm

    Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?

  20. จัดงานแต่งงาน งบ 200000

    22nd February 2026 at 11:55 pm

    You made some first rate points there. I regarded on the web for the problem and found most people will go together with along with your website.

  21. pink gelatin trick

    23rd February 2026 at 3:20 am

    Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  22. gelatin trick recipe

    23rd February 2026 at 7:16 am

    I’ve read a few good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to make such a excellent informative site.

  23. gelatin trick

    23rd February 2026 at 3:26 pm

    great post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector don’t notice this. You must continue your writing. I’m sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!

  24. iblbet

    24th February 2026 at 1:25 am

    hi!,I like your writing so much! share we communicate more about your post on AOL? I require a specialist on this area to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Looking forward to see you.

  25. gelatin trick

    24th February 2026 at 2:36 am

    I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I am quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  26. seltoto daftar

    24th February 2026 at 3:00 am

    Utterly indited written content, appreciate it for selective information. “In the fight between you and the world, back the world.” by Frank Zappa.

  27. bariatric gelatin trick

    24th February 2026 at 3:39 am

    Some really nice stuff on this website , I enjoy it.

  28. زيادة لايكات ومشاهدات تيك توك

    25th February 2026 at 4:26 am

    I got good info from your blog

  29. servicio canon mallorca

    26th February 2026 at 9:50 am

    Nice post. I used to be checking continuously this weblog and I am impressed! Very helpful info specifically the closing part 🙂 I take care of such info much. I used to be seeking this certain info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

  30. ducati madrid

    26th February 2026 at 11:49 am

    Nice read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he actually bought me lunch since I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!

  31. alojamientos en pamplona

    26th February 2026 at 2:32 pm

    hello!,I like your writing very much! share we communicate more about your article on AOL? I require an expert on this area to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to see you.

  32. alojamientos acella pamplona

    26th February 2026 at 3:32 pm

    This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

  33. situs toto

    26th February 2026 at 5:22 pm

    I think this is one of the most vital information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The site style is perfect, the articles is really nice :D. Good job, cheers

  34. ayuda PFC arquitectura

    26th February 2026 at 10:03 pm

    I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again

  35. ayuda TFM arquitectura

    26th February 2026 at 11:59 pm

    whoah this blog is magnificent i love reading your articles. Keep up the great work! You know, lots of people are looking around for this info, you can help them greatly.

  36. ayuda TFG arquitectura

    27th February 2026 at 12:12 am

    Hi, just required you to know I he added your site to my Google bookmarks due to your layout. But seriously, I believe your internet site has 1 in the freshest theme I??ve came across. It extremely helps make reading your blog significantly easier.

  37. poolplane online bestellen

    27th February 2026 at 12:25 am

    Really great visual appeal on this internet site, I’d value it 10 10.

  38. ayuda PFG arquitectura

    27th February 2026 at 2:24 am

    But wanna input on few general things, The website design is perfect, the subject matter is very great. “In business school classrooms they construct wonderful models of a nonworld.” by Peter Drucker.

  39. mat de pilates

    27th February 2026 at 7:59 am

    Oh my goodness! an incredible article dude. Thanks However I am experiencing problem with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting similar rss problem? Anybody who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx

  40. situs slot

    27th February 2026 at 10:42 am

    I got what you mean , thankyou for posting.Woh I am glad to find this website through google.

  41. ghdrol funciona

    27th February 2026 at 11:59 am

    It’s really a cool and useful piece of info. I’m glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  42. bandar slot

    27th February 2026 at 12:42 pm

    Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in internet explorer, could test this… IE still is the market leader and a good portion of people will leave out your wonderful writing because of this problem.

  43. short de deporte mujer

    27th February 2026 at 2:22 pm

    You made some decent points there. I appeared on the internet for the issue and found most people will go together with along with your website.

  44. Ghost Hemp gummies

    27th February 2026 at 8:07 pm

    I am not real wonderful with English but I find this real easy to read .

  45. mega888

    27th February 2026 at 8:18 pm

    You made some first rate points there. I appeared on the internet for the problem and found most people will associate with together with your website.

  46. login fren88

    27th February 2026 at 9:35 pm

    We absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content in your case? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write with regards to here. Again, awesome blog!

  47. fren 88

    27th February 2026 at 9:42 pm

    I’m no longer positive the place you are getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thank you for fantastic info I was on the lookout for this information for my mission.

  48. Organic products

    27th February 2026 at 10:40 pm

    I just could not go away your site before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard information an individual provide to your visitors? Is gonna be back steadily in order to inspect new posts.

  49. susterslot

    28th February 2026 at 12:07 am

    I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website. I am hoping the same high-grade site post from you in the upcoming also. In fact your creative writing skills has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is a good example of it.

  50. Delta 8 Disclaimer

    28th February 2026 at 1:20 am

    Hey, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, amazing blog!

  51. Delta 8 Disclaimer

    28th February 2026 at 1:27 am

    I’m impressed, I must say. Actually rarely do I encounter a blog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve got hit the nail on the head. Your concept is outstanding; the issue is something that not enough people are talking intelligently about. I’m very completely satisfied that I stumbled throughout this in my search for something regarding this.

  52. soulmate sketch

    28th February 2026 at 2:32 am

    A lot of of what you mention happens to be astonishingly accurate and that makes me ponder the reason why I had not looked at this in this light previously. This piece truly did turn the light on for me as far as this particular topic goes. But at this time there is actually one factor I am not too comfortable with so whilst I make an effort to reconcile that with the actual central idea of your issue, permit me observe what all the rest of your readers have to point out.Nicely done.

  53. burnslim

    28th February 2026 at 5:57 am

    This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!

  54. streamate anastasiamils

    28th February 2026 at 5:43 pm

    Attractive section of content. I simply stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to say that I acquire actually enjoyed account your weblog posts. Any way I will be subscribing on your augment or even I achievement you get admission to consistently quickly.

  55. streamate cam models

    28th February 2026 at 7:34 pm

    Some genuinely grand work on behalf of the owner of this web site, perfectly great subject material.

  56. streamate cam

    28th February 2026 at 10:19 pm

    Great site. Lots of helpful information here. I’m sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you in your sweat!

  57. quiz4d rekomendasi platform

    1st March 2026 at 1:12 pm

    Perfect work you have done, this web site is really cool with great information.

  58. bandar slot gacor

    3rd March 2026 at 9:41 am

    Generally I do not read post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, quite nice article.

  59. Christophercig

    3rd March 2026 at 11:15 am

    cider company page – It carries an authentic tone with an appealing design.

  60. keluaran macau

    3rd March 2026 at 2:33 pm

    You have noted very interesting points! ps nice web site.

  61. gelatin trick

    3rd March 2026 at 4:41 pm

    I couldn’t resist commenting

  62. pink gelatin trick

    3rd March 2026 at 6:52 pm

    My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be exactly I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a few of the subjects you write with regards to here. Again, awesome website!

  63. gelatin trick

    3rd March 2026 at 7:30 pm

    You have noted very interesting details! ps nice website.

  64. ethical hacker facebook services

    4th March 2026 at 12:43 am

    Good day very cool website!! Man .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds also…I’m satisfied to find so many helpful info right here in the post, we need develop more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Trending

Copyright © 2025 Keo.co.za