People have a tendency to look at people’s careers through rose-tinted spectacles upon their retirement.
It’s ok though, I don’t struggle with that sort of thing:
I was at Newlands for the 2010 dangerous play incident, when 120kg Bakkies cleared his 75kg Springbok teammate Gio Aplon out of a ruck, shoulder first. [Video]
Because of his suspension for that incident, Bakkies fans had to wait a full 7 weeks for his next misdemeanor – this, a full 29 seconds into the Tri-Nations game against New Zealand:
(Which prompted this rant from JD Bryce.)
When we’re being regularly reminded how sports stars must act as role models, I can’t say that Bakkies’ retirement will be a big loss to rugby. Less of that sort of example, please.
Great player? Perhaps.
Thug? Most certainly.
And it’s that latter category that I and many others will remember him for.