Kiwi's Bok chirp sparks social media backlash
REACTION: An off-the-cuff remark by New Zealand-based journalist Ben Smith has caused a social media firestorm - with some severe push-back by South African supporters.
He caused the backlash just under three weeks out from the truncated 2023 Rugby Championship - starting on July 8 when the Springboks host the Wallabies in Pretoria and Los Pumas are at home to the All Blacks in Mendoza.
Smith, on his Twitter platform, listed the number of times each of the Rugby Championship teams finished last in the competition - issuing them with a 'wooden spoon'.
He combined the Tri-Nations (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia) with the Rugby Championship (with includes Argentina).
He awarded South Africa 11 'wooden spoons', Argentina nine, Australia five and New Zealand two.
The backlash from South Africans was fierce and brutal.
Many turned their attention to South Africa's track record at World Cups for some redemption.
Others became personal in their responses to Smith.