Ard Varks Up The Anthem

Last night was the announcement of the South African Springbok team going to New Zealand for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. There were no surprises in the line-up with Peter De Villiers choosing 18 players from the winning team from 2007!

South African social networks weren't discussing whether he made a good selection or not but they were abuzz with Ard Matthews messing up the South African National Anthem!

It seems he forgot the words to the anthem 3 lines in and he even giggled at one point! If you know you're going to sing the national anthem live on TV surely you need to learn the words first? Who hires these guys anyway? Do they not audition them first?

Matthews later apologized on Twitter and John Smit said that he accepted Ard's apology and likened it to playing a debut test!

Ard Matthews is a professional artist and has performed in front of large crowds before. The excuse that he had succumbed to nerves is unacceptable.

The organizers of these events should really screen performers that are going to sing the national anthem before they give them a microphone and put them in front of the nation.

Who do you think was worse? Ras Dumasani who murdered the anthem two years ago when SA faced France or Ard Matthews at last nights Springbok selections?

Golf And Box Bar

Two Fridays ago I played my first round of Golf. I had the privilege of being invited to Northland Girls High's Annual Golf Day which was held at the prestigious Beachwood Country Club. This has to be one of Durban's most beautiful courses.

Before we could tee of we had the pleasure of getting neck and shoulder massages from the beautiful ladies of Camelot Spa. The course itself has pretty narrow fairways and for a beginner it was even more difficult.

The break at the 9th hole was very welcome as the day was humid and air-conditioning was like heaven! I had to change from my chinos to shorts and felt a hundred times better but got reprimanded by the grounds keepers for not having my shirt tucked in!

At the end of the day our four ball finished 8th, which was actually last, and we got a gift pack! I was dog tired and desperately needed a shower. Unfortunately I wasn't informed that we could shower at the country club after the game so I was the only stinky at the prize giving! But I enjoyed the day and would definitely do it again!

The next day I joined some friends at Box Bar in Umhlanga Rocks opposite the Beverly Hills Hotel to watch the Bok game against England. It was close but we manage to beat them in the end. So we haven't lost to England in the last 7 games! That's showing British Colonialism!

It was a beautiful day and Box Bar was buzzing with all types of characters from Bok supporters, the occasional English supporter and a whole lot of people in weird costumes! There were sailors, pirates, superheroes, a Joker, an Alan Garner lookalike (complete with baby!) and a Russell Brand! These guys were doing a pub crawl on bikes from Harvey Wallbanger's in Broadway to Umhlanga! They were wrecked by the time they reached Box Bar and Russell Brand bumped into me and spilled my beverage! He offered to give me a shoulder rub to pay me back! It was a funny site!

It was another good weekend in Durbs and although I'm looking forward to a great festive season it's going to be hectic with all the Gautengalengs invading our favorite spots for the next few weeks!



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