ZIMDOGGY wrote: ↑Sun Aug 13, 2017 12:50 pm
...Why do these black dudes in SA then crank out serious pace and raw talent but our guys over the ditch can't crank 130?
We've discussed this before. Not all "black" dudes. We're very different tribes with different genetics and size. Our people(Nguni) are pretty big, but I believe that my tribe are the biggest within that group. They're the ones you see play rugby mostly - my dad and eldest brother played it a lot and they were quite big - my eldest brother turned down a scholarship to go play basketball in the US (traditional comiitments...I know). I'm quite imposing myself and can play 8th man or be a waste at lock if the team is desperate, and my youngest brother arguably bigger. It's weird that tiny Bavuma, is one of us. But rugby is much cheaper than cricket so most guys go there, while a few become bowlers in cricket because again it's cheaper. In truth when people talk quotas in SA, it's mostly one tribe of Blacks dominating rugby and cricket, so just 15-20% of the population so far, and that must improve because the purpose is defeated in a way.
Some people in ZIM have got Nguni roots, but 'interbreeding" has affected them the most. Whites in Zim are quite small too compared to most whites by the way. Anyway, I think there were some pretty big Zim players by Zim standards - Everton Matambadzo, Watambwa, and to a lesser extent Hami and Shingi. But again within the Shona, they are actually not all Shona per se but other main tribes painted with one brush. They are the ones best placed to tell you which tribes are the biggest and which certain surnames fall under the bigger tribe.
But size isn't everything - look at Rabada, plus he's not Nguni. There are many countries with big, powerful and fast guys but sadly those countries don't play cricket (or rugby) - e.g. Nigeria and DRC.
My personal biased view is that ZImbabweans should be the most dominant African in many areas - business, science & tech, etc including sports. The only reasons they not is because they lack heart and they are cowards. They're quitters not resolute or gritty. More of followers than leaders. Sadly, I also think they have far too low a value of themselves than they are worth. That often translates into not trusting themselves. So even though some of them have the talent and coaching to be scoring hundreds for fun, and plenty bowling 145kph, they fall short. They flatter to deceive, not just in sports (soccer, cricket, tennis, rugby, athletics etc), but also other areas. Globally, Zimbabweans are under-represented among the elite.