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Protoss showdown – Close but no cigar

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South Africa versus Romania

The highlight of the StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm Invitational was undoubtedly and unmistakably the test match between South Africa and Romania. Robert “PandaTank” Botha and Silvui “nightEND” Lazar battled it out in two matches in front of a packed 500 seater auditorium accompanied by energetic and entertaining commentary.

Kicking things off with some formal introductions, Grant Hinds, ceremony master hyped up the crowd, followed by words from Internet Solutions, the MSSA and Megarom. In true official and professional spirit, every one joined in for our National Anthem and stood in respect for the Romanian National Anthem. It was and truly felt like an event that exceeded the expectations of every one. I can with all confidence say that watching these cyber athletes go head to head was better than any sports game I’ve ever watched.

The first game was the calm before the storm. Both players put out their feelers to get to know their opponent. Their builds were standard and very similar to each other, both Botha and Lazar, of course, playing Protoss. Before every one knew it, it was over. Lazar won the game, but not without a fight. Botha turned out to be tough competition and played a world class game.

The second game was absolutely explosive. It was any one’s game. With Lazar and Botha averaging over 300 actions per minute, it was hard to keep track of how fast things were happening. It was a long and brutal battle, but after one mistake by Botha, Lazar took the victory once again. 

Silvui Lazar
Silvui “nightEND” Lazar

The test match was of great significance to not only eSports in South Africa, but spectatorship of eSports. Almost 500 people sat glued to their seats for both games cheering on Botha and applauding Lazar’s great skill. Both players are Grandmasters in StarCraft 2 and have pro gamer status. Watching these incredibly talented gamers was exciting and entertaining for every one, whether you are a die hard StarCraft 2 fan and understood every detail or a complete StarCraft 2 newbie and understood very little. This event is the starting point of growing spectatorship in South Africa for competitive gamers and the mainstream audience, something that is seriously lacking in our community and country and by extension of that, growing eSports.

It is a real eye opener to see that South Africa’s best, Robert Botha who is dedicating his life to a career in professional gaming, match up to international standard, millisecond to millisecond. The stereotype that South Africans can not measure up to international eSports was diminished at a live event, and I’m sure inspired many gamers to not give up their dreams of becoming pro gamers.

Garth Holden (lazygamer) and Robert Botha
Garth Holden (Lazygamer) and Robert “PandaTank” Botha

 

Last Updated: March 18, 2013

59 Comments

  1. AndriyP

    March 18, 2013 at 13:04

    A wookie and a panda in one photo…never again will such a photo be taken

    Reply

  2. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    March 18, 2013 at 13:06

    How does Garth grow his beard so quickly? HOW DO YOU DO IT Mr Holden?

    Reply

    • TechniKyle

      March 18, 2013 at 13:06

      I was thinking the exact same thing…

      Reply

    • ElNicko

      March 18, 2013 at 13:12

      With great Beard growing power, comes great responsibility………..

      Reply

      • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

        March 18, 2013 at 13:14

        The man is a genetic freak. He is THE x-man!

        Reply

        • AndriyP

          March 18, 2013 at 13:15

          The original Beast!!!

          Reply

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            March 18, 2013 at 13:15

            The Boss Beard!

          • ElNicko

            March 18, 2013 at 13:18

            The one who has no need for a Razor

          • AndriyP

            March 18, 2013 at 13:19

            The one that triumphs over the razor!

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            March 18, 2013 at 13:19

            Garth Holden is Boss Beard, the razorbane! Quick someone (preferably someone with artistic talent..) draw this new super hero

          • AndriyP

            March 18, 2013 at 13:21

            No need to draw

          • ElNicko

            March 18, 2013 at 13:25

            but would Boss Beard the razorbane really wear a poncho ?? I was thinking something a little more practical

          • AndriyP

            March 18, 2013 at 13:26

            Even super heros have days off

          • ElNicko

            March 18, 2013 at 13:45

            Even Super heros need a vacation with a margarita

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            March 18, 2013 at 13:30

            HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

          • Admiral Chief Erwin

            March 18, 2013 at 13:24

            Dude, razor’s run away when they see that magnificent beast of a beard. Titanium blades se moer

          • The Bearded Dutchman

            March 18, 2013 at 13:35

            Only thing that beats an Astronaut is an Astronaut with a beard!!! Beards are useful when saving food for the winter and sexy at the same time. It also helps to keep you warm. Winter is coming.

          • AndriyP

            March 18, 2013 at 13:38

            Its the ultimate super power!!

        • ElNicko

          March 18, 2013 at 13:15

          only takes a few months to get something that cuddly and soft

          Reply

        • Valshen

          March 18, 2013 at 13:42

          We should start a petition, the Mrs wants me to shorten it this week!

          Reply

          • AndriyP

            March 18, 2013 at 13:44

            Aha The Mrs is your cryptonite!

          • ElNicko

            March 18, 2013 at 13:50

            and we , the masses , say No………ZZ Top here we come

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            March 18, 2013 at 13:58

            NooOOOooOOoOOo!! Please Ms Holden, please allow young Garth to grow an epic end-level boss beard!

          • The Bearded Dutchman

            March 18, 2013 at 14:01

            HELL NO! THE BEARD WON’T GO!!! Tell the missus to respect the beard! I haven’t shaved in six years!!! Trimmed it every now and then though. The wife learned to love it.

          • Valshen

            March 18, 2013 at 14:04

            My trimming skills are horrible…

          • AndriyP

            March 18, 2013 at 14:21

  3. TechniKyle

    March 18, 2013 at 13:07

    Someone (Matthew Hurst) said I look like Lazar…

    Reply

  4. matthurstrsa

    March 18, 2013 at 13:08

    So very glad this was well attended!

    Reply

  5. Sir Captain Rincethis

    March 18, 2013 at 13:19

    Sigh, I wish I could have made this event! Instead I was reacting badly to a sleeping pill and talking to a plug socket.

    Reply

    • AndriyP

      March 18, 2013 at 13:20

      Sounds like fun

      Reply

      • Sir Captain Rincethis

        March 18, 2013 at 13:32

        Nah, thinking there are 6ft Nutcracker Soldiers in the corner of your room isn’t fun at all 0_O

        Reply

        • Valshen

          March 18, 2013 at 13:43

          I SEE A TOY FIRETRUCK AND A ROCKET!

          Reply

          • Sir Captain Rincethis

            March 18, 2013 at 13:44

            Nooooooooooooo!

  6. Admiral Chief Erwin

    March 18, 2013 at 13:21

    BEST PHOTO EVER!!!!!

    Reply

  7. Admiral Chief Erwin

    March 18, 2013 at 13:23

    I was pleasantly surprise by how organized and cool this event was!
    Pity the beer was so expensive! WTF?

    Reply

    • ElNicko

      March 18, 2013 at 13:24

      define expensive ?? was it atleast Cold ??

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Erwin

        March 18, 2013 at 13:26

        R24.
        Cold out of 10 would be a 7

        Reply

        • AndriyP

          March 18, 2013 at 13:27

          He that complains about beer is not worthy of thy drink

          Reply

          • ElNicko

            March 18, 2013 at 13:28

            Unless , it is an American Beer…….let the complaints roll in !!

          • Admiral Chief Erwin

            March 18, 2013 at 13:29

            Not once complained about the BEER, but about the PRICE and TEMPERATURE dammit. Grrrrr

        • ElNicko

          March 18, 2013 at 13:28

          R24 aint that bad – I’m assuming thats for a Draught or a Man-Can atleast ?? look on the brightside , you could have been like me , and get WARM Beer at Ramfest

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Erwin

            March 18, 2013 at 13:30

            Nope, 330ml.
            JaneeSIES a warm beer is not ayoba. I’m not British, I’m from SnorCity, and we drink our beer cold dammit

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            March 18, 2013 at 13:31

            Warm beer is indeed a travesty!

          • ElNicko

            March 18, 2013 at 13:49

            Bloody hell – that price is ludicrous. and when you mention temperature , it reminds me of some bloody stupid bartender at Ramfest. Ordered a gold tequila and asked ‘is it Cold’ ?? the reply was ‘yeah , we know how to serve tequila’.

            That bottle hadnt spent more then 20 minutes in ice and was disgusting. (normally I enjoy a Tequila, but that stuff BETTER BE Ice Cold !!)

          • Valshen

            March 18, 2013 at 13:51

            I drink my tequila hot, like a MEXICAN 🙂

          • ElNicko

            March 18, 2013 at 13:52

            We really need to talk !! Warm Tequila ?? eeeeewwww eeeewww eeewww

          • Valshen

            March 18, 2013 at 14:04

            Dude. Not warm. Hot like the midday sun, straight out the bottle on a dirt dance floor.

          • Grimthwacker

            March 18, 2013 at 14:17

            Still better than my R60 a beer last week 🙁 Also 330ml (And only found out after two beers… ouch!)

          • Admiral Chief Erwin

            March 18, 2013 at 14:25

            Where the hell did you drink?

          • Grimthwacker

            March 18, 2013 at 14:44

            Missed my flight to Bariloche, Argentina (due to the airline). So was put up in a 5 star hotel in Buenos Aires by the airline. Did make up for the beers with an R800 dinner (at the airline’s expense) 😀

          • Admiral Chief Erwin

            March 18, 2013 at 14:46

            WINNER

  8. Admiral Chief Erwin

    March 18, 2013 at 13:27

    I’d love to watch some matches on Supersport or at a pub. Some of the matches were epic, edge of your seat stuff!

    Reply

    • Valshen

      March 18, 2013 at 13:45

      Dude, this needs to happen. It was awesome sitting with people and cringing for and applauding the players!

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Erwin

        March 18, 2013 at 13:49

        TEH HOLY BEARD HAS SPOKEN TO ME!!!

        I am not worthy! 😛

        Reply

  9. Admiral Chief Erwin

    March 18, 2013 at 13:27

    Comment that made me lulz was when one of the shoutcasters pointed out to an object on the map, and said it looks “Protossy” XD

    Reply

  10. Nathan Timothy Anderson

    March 18, 2013 at 14:44

    Was an amazing event! Enjoyed it so much! And nice meeting you Yolanda 🙂

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Erwin

      March 18, 2013 at 14:48

      She was looking kinda swell 😛

      Reply

    • Yolanda Green

      March 19, 2013 at 08:33

      Thanx Nathan 🙂 was nice meeting you as well!

      Reply

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