We were proud of the Southern Barbarians no matter what happened. However, these latest results make us want to dance for joy – and leads to more questions about the state of our national eSports body.
For those who aren’t familiar with the saga, let me bring you up to date. It all started at the beginning of the year when the MSSA blocked a local team from competing at the ESL using their own flag or country name. We were horrified at this – the South African players had to compete as the Southern Barbarians as they weren’t allowed to even refer to themselves as Team South Africa.
That didn’t stop them, though, they swept the winner’s bracket of the ESL’s Battlefield 4 Conquest Country Championship, learning a lot and gaining valuable experience.
After almost a month of waiting, the finals have been played, and with a score of 3-1 the Southern Barbarians emerged victorious. That’s right, out of all the countries in the world competing at this cup, the team full of South African players (but not allowed to be called the South African team) came out as the best.
All of us are extremely proud of the team – you guys played some excellent Battlefield and we were happy to cheer you on. We just wish that you could have used your country’s name and flag – how incredible will it be to show the world that South Africa has the best Battlefield players and can come out on top at an international tournament? This is the kind of eSports exposure that we need.
Once again I have to question the motives behind blocking the use of Team South Africa. Surely results like this would make everyone proud? The boys should have been waving their flags and showing off that their nationality in a tournament like this. They have been deprived of their national pride thanks to some petty rulings by an organization that has yet to produce results like this. So, Mind Sports South Africa, the ball is in your court – do you finally regret your decisions? Will you finally take a back seat and let players who are obviously leaders in their field help promote South African eSports?
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Last Updated: July 1, 2014
Admiral Chief Fairburne
July 1, 2014 at 12:36
It is pathetic that they are not allowed to officially make our name proud. So, the idiots over at the MSSA, how doth thou like the taste you have concocted?
Big up to the Barbarians, you really deserve this! Its a pity that a few people with overinflated opinions of themselves are allowed to DICtate these silly rules.
I wonder if we re-brand the soccer team if they will actually start performing?…
Admiral Chief Fairburne
July 1, 2014 at 12:38
Oh, and a little joke for Zoe:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVNDAPwOQJ8/TdkE5pcyMTI/AAAAAAAAASw/6dvQs5uUQGU/s1600/threw+through.jpg
Her Highness the Hipster
July 1, 2014 at 13:02
one typo. ONE! 🙁
Kensei Seraph
July 1, 2014 at 13:04
It’s not just 1 though.
https://38.media.tumblr.com/99b155aeda5fd358bef3a537d710964d/tumblr_mxl9hwwOu51t5c041o1_500.gif
Admiral Chief Fairburne
July 1, 2014 at 13:15
NEVARRRR FORGET!!!!!
Rince&Shitity
July 1, 2014 at 12:40
Day must pay their R500 fees!
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 12:43
& sign teh contractz! Thanks to MSSA & their sponsors for giving me this opportunity to make them look good for my hard work!
Rince&Shitity
July 1, 2014 at 12:47
YetH!
Kensei Seraph
July 1, 2014 at 12:47
Congrats guys.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 12:54
GG indeed
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 1, 2014 at 12:48
Brofist to all the Southern Barbarian bros!
Sean McCalgan
July 1, 2014 at 12:54
Thank you for the article! It was unfortunate we didn’t have any coverage of the game time at the time, but it was because it was pretty rushed as we were waiting on Finland to give us a day. Won’t touch on the whole naming/flag thing again as I’ve spoken a lot on it in those prior articles you linked, but it was a cool experience as we got to face off against many of the names we played against in the BF3 Nations Cup (and got revenge on some of them) – players part of some big teams in the scene including dignitas/MyM, etc..
noxville
July 1, 2014 at 12:57
Too easy for SCOPERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
MakeItLegal
July 1, 2014 at 13:14
Well done … No sports body needed
Mossel
July 1, 2014 at 13:29
Well done guys!
Matthew Holliday
July 1, 2014 at 13:35
Southern Barbarians, must be Brazilian
well done guys, you made Brazil proud, HUEHUHEUHEUE
http://static.cdn.ea.com/battlelog/prod/emblems/320/365/2832655391658907365.jpeg?v=1343159013.19
Weanerdog
July 1, 2014 at 13:41
Brilliant job, Well done.
Greylingad
July 1, 2014 at 14:02
You know… I’m happy for these guys, maybe this whole M ETH ETH A thing could actually turn things around a bit, just by showcasing what great gamers these guys are! What concerns me though is that we still have this private body that has been instated by our government that essentially does more damage than good for this community. But enough complaining for the day, give these guys a Bells!
Jonah Cash
July 1, 2014 at 14:44
Well done, that is some achievement!!! Great work!!
Doug
July 1, 2014 at 14:56
Well done Team South Africa fly that flag bra’s.
Again here we see the result of complete incompetence. MSSA does not deserve to be involved eSports let alone be the foremost authority in it. Anyone know what the SASCOC mail address is so we can start spamming out non-support for MSSA (Other than admin@sascoc.co.za).
But again well done guys good to know we are on top.
Johan du Preez
July 1, 2014 at 15:31
Just shows you that South Africa doesn’t need the MSSA to compete. All they do is hinder progress in the local gaming scene.
Well done guys!!!
Hammersteyn
July 2, 2014 at 07:58
Well done guys! Simply amazing! HAI