Ban Details

1. The initial exchange:

https://preview.redd.it/ro3eqzmjo9kh1.png?width=747&format=png&auto=webp&s=a30547ae5383ef1388f92551973aa8124bb47ce6

2. Obviously It was my first response that supposedly broke a rule as it prompted a response from a mod and the removal thereof:

https://preview.redd.it/14lor8gyo9kh1.png?width=606&format=png&auto=webp&s=c2d3ee155f6314da5e78b79036e3930a1bb42870

3. This was then the message I received notifying me of the permanent ban:

https://preview.redd.it/v39ejcm7p9kh1.png?width=303&format=png&auto=webp&s=de7aba018dcac8b8e7eb77bd792c07ea946fa1de

4. Naturally, given that my comment seems rather mild, I responded to the message and asked for clarification:

https://preview.redd.it/9bpxlbveq9kh1.png?width=599&format=png&auto=webp&s=7a7697262e3c12d23fe9bf38a2f710f1d33ce2b1

5. This is then the clarification response I received from the mod:

https://preview.redd.it/vkqfii7rq9kh1.png?width=305&format=png&auto=webp&s=d2d06e01dd0212924374774fc58527083785516d

Calls me daft (breaking their own rule about nastiness) then goes on to permanently mute me, ensuring that I cannot respond any further.

Issues

• Inconsistency
  • If my comment did indeed break a rule, why was the other user not punished for their comments? I stated that this stuff gets to them and they responded that I am infuriated by these things. Are both comments essentially not of the same nature? Even their first response could be flagged as being personal, if this is the standard.
• Special Treatment
  • As indicated by the response to my request for clarification, "replying to a Kiwi in mockery" is apparently against the rules. So does this rule only protect Kiwis? What about anyone else?
  • Just look at this post made today to see all responses in mockery from NZ flairs. I don't see any mod intervention however.

So why are these blatant double standards and biased behaviour by NZ mods going unchecked?

It's a sure why to ensure they'll never represent South Africa because that will be a PR nightmare for the Boks and SA Rugby. I mean they wouldn't even have to play 1 match, just having their name in the squad will generate negative publicity on a large scale, especially globally. And that negative publicity is what SA Rugby will want to avoid.

So if they think that serving their ban will be the end of it and that everything will be forgotten, they must think again.

Fed up of cheats ruining the reputation of SA Rugby and giving bitter sore losers around the world ammunition to cast aspersions about the Boks and undermine their success when it has absolutely nothing to do with the Boks.

Everyone knows the impact they make when they come off the bench. They've been doing it for years and in Wellington last year for instance, scored 10 points between them. RG when he gets those offloads going with a tiring defence brings another dimension to the attack whereas Kwagga will tackle and work and tackle until the final whistle goes.

I think NZ has much more to gain from this tour than SA not just in terms of development but getting experience playing against South Africa which could help them at the world cup.

Yes I know you want your best players available but you also don't want to reveal your cards a year out from the real prize.

Just to clarify these descriptions, bruisers are number 8s that are usually around 120kg and contribute with strong carries that often gets over the advantage line. Whereas the high work rate athletic types are around 110kg or less, not as dominant in the carry but are more mobile and tend to do more work around the park like tackles, clean outs etc.

Before Wiese (120kg), there was Vermeulen (119kg). It's no surprise that these two players were the starting 8s in some of the most dominant and impressive Bok performances. We've seen the drop off when smaller more mobile players start at number 8. The ones like Kwagga for example tend to make the biggest impact in the last 20-30 minutes when the opposition has been softened up.

So who out there fits the mould of a bruiser? Both Roos (109kg) and Hanekom (110kg) are not out and out bruisers in my opinion. They're more of a hybrid type.

The only current SA number 8 that fits the role is Augustus but he has been unlucky with injuries. One player I think has incredible potential to be a great number 8 if he makes the switch is Batho Hlekani. He is young and already a behemoth. Apart from his size, he is also a very strong carrier. I think his future is at number 8 rather than blindside flank.