How many international sporting programs would look at a season of nine wins and four losses as a disaster? One such situation is playing out in South Africa, where the Springboks are in England to play the hosts at Twickenham this weekend. From The Mail & Guardian, “The End of a Dismal Year“:

A disappointing Springbok season ends at Twickenham on Saturday. The world champions play their 13th Test of 2008 with a record that reads: won eight, lost four.

The addition of a fifth loss would make it into a fairly dismal year, while a ninth win would not necessarily change that perception, which is pretty much the definition of a no-win situation.

South Africans have high expectations of their big three international teams, rugby, soccer, and cricket.  But sometimes the burden of the expectations surrounding those teams is unreasonable, and even counterproductive. The folderol surrounding the Springboks might be just such a case.