The World Cup fairytale seems unlikely to strike in South Africa for a second time. The first time was quite the romantic story when in 1995 almost through the sheer will of Mandela alone – if the flick Invictus is to be believed – the Springboks united a newly democratic South Africa as they leapt from mediocrity to take an unlikely victory in the Rugby World Cup. There was no little hope here in country that Bafana Bafana would acquit themselves similarly this year, drawing on heart fed by History. FIFA is no t sympathetic to fairytales it seems. After turning in a praiseworthy performance against Mexico in the opener, however, they were just now belted from pillar to post by our old sparing partners Uruguay. Party over (almost). Though statistically possible, it would take a convoluted confluence of fortunate results to see the home team advance to the Round of 16. (After the Germany debacle though we here in camp Australia are all about throwing our lot behind a convoluted confluence of fortunate events in order to secure one’s passage .)

Hambasa Bafana Bafana! Some locals dance for a miracle. Photo Jeff Umansky

The Most Beautiful Scapegoat in the World. The wonderfully named Iker Casillas – Spanish keeper and general handsome man – has been embroiled in an England-style Footballer’s Wives scandal in the rush to find excuses for the shock loss to the unfancied Swiss*. The presence on the touchline of his distractingly beautiful reporter girlfriend has been held up as the reason The Neutrals were able to get one through the otherwise stingy Spanish shot stopper and send them crashing to a shock defeat. Yeah, of course, it’s all the chick’s fault, not that you were terrible. The Spaniards may have to wait a little yet to get the great shiny cup to put in their cabinet.

Weather report: Cold spells, tending to absolutely and outrageously freezing.

Aussie Progressometer: Medium, maybe… sort of.

* possibly irrelevant language note: ‘embroiled’ is one of those single-context words, like muchness. You can only ever be embroiled in a scandal to the exclusion of anything else. $10 to anyone who can come up with another use for muchness (note: cheques may not be honoured).

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