Tottenham Hotspur forward Brennan Johnson and Springboks flyhalf Manie Libbok have probably never met. They may not even have heard about one another. But they have something in common.
Johnson and Libbok have suffered terrible abuse online this year, singled out by online bullies for their perceived failures on the pitch in their respective sporting codes.
Welsh star Johnson recently deactivated his Instagram account following a barrage of abuse for his lack of goals and assists in a Spurs shirt, while Libbok was crucified following his missed penalty earlier this year in the Springboks’ Test match against Los Pumas in Argentina.
However, both seem to be coping with the online abuse just fine, as Johnson has returned to form for Spurs, while Libbok provided the spark in the Springboks’ win over Argentina in the return match at the Mbombela Stadium, where the Boks ended up lifting the Rugby Championship.
But not all sports people deal with criticism or abuse in the same way. Some athletes go through rough patches longer than others because it impacts their mental health, which in turn impacts their performance on the pitch or court.
The advent of social media has changed the game for sports people, as it is another revenue stream. Influencer marketing is all the rage right now, and sports people are seen as ideal to showcase products and services.
But by putting themselves out there, they also become a target for so-called “trolls” who now have direct access to their lives. And most times these fans cross the line, with ugly and personal comments.
When asked about the trolling Johnson suffered, Spurs’ manager Ange Postecoglou slammed fans who abuse players online, saying “I hate that it’s normalised, but unfortunately that’s the world we live in”.
"Criticism is one thing, exasperation at a game, you accept that. To sit down and write something abusive anonymously… say it in front of me, you’ll get a punch on the nose, you won’t do it again, mate. But they won’t do that. They’ll hide behind this …,” said Postecoglou.
Player welfare has increasingly come into the spotlight as far as mental health issues concerned. However, it seems like sports psychology is not particularly high on the list of priorities for the various sporting codes in South Africa.
Dr Bianca Joseph, head of Beeconectar Consultancy, and her team provide sport performance coaching and counselling services to athletes.
Joseph, who has a PhD in psychology, has been working as a mental and performance coach for more than 20 years and has seen the changing sports landscape when it comes to social media.
“It [sports psychology] is not really being embraced in South Africa sport, which is surprising because we encounter many athletes struggling with anxiety and depression … some are even suicidal,” said Joseph
“Times have changed, and athletes are targets for everyone to make fun of or abuse. But it doesn’t just impact the athlete, it impacts their spouse or child.
“A sports psychologist should be part of the team, just like a fitness coach or a nutritionist. Sports teams tend to be reactive rather than proactive when it comes to mental health and the well-being of athletes. The notion is something must be wrong for someone to come in.
“We have some many talented sports people that sporting codes just move on to the next player if somebody is struggling, instead of giving them the support and help to overcome their struggles. Consider the person first, and then the player.”
Sports people also crave affirmation, much like the rest of us. They are only human, after all.
Joseph says a lot of athletes go and look for that affirmation on social media to give them a boost of confidence or make them feel worthy. However, while experiencing the good and the praise, ridicule is always not very far around the corner.
“There is a common saying: ‘If you live by their praises, you will die by the criticism’. If social media is your primary source of affirmation, then you are already not in a good space from a performance point of view because your motivation affirmation has to come from different sources,” said Joseph.
“Your critics will always be there. They are a part of your life as an athlete, and the best way to deal with it is to embrace it. You have to categorise your critics, because that puts you in control.
“People on social media shouldn’t have an influence on you and your game, because you are the one putting in the work … not them. They don’t understand the game or the pressure and you shouldn’t give them that weight.
“You have the control to listen to them. You have the control to read it. But it should be done from the beginning of a sports person’s career, because it is something you have to practise.
“ But it’s easier said than done. In our human nature we long for the affirmation, we long for the attention.”
Joseph, who also features athletes on her podcast - Coffee with Bee - says the role of family and friends are also very important when it comes to preserving the athlete’s mental health.
“Athletes need a good support structure. It’s important to have that one person who you can speak to, even if the whole world is against you. There you can be your authentic self,” said Joseph
“But a lot of athletes don’t have that safe space and someone to counter what is being said online. That can lead to an athlete creeping more and more into their shell. So it’s important to have someone they can trust with their feelings.”
There is some help for players in the rugby space through My Players, the South African players’ body.
My Players’ Isma-eel Dolly, who is the national player relationship manager, told IOL Sport that mental health is an aspect which they have identified, because players need that assistance.
My Players has a mental health service line, which is anonymous and available to all players 24 hours a day. Players can speak to qualified personnel if they have issues they need to deal with
“This came about during the Covid period when there was uncertainty, anxiety, salary cuts and job losses. Even dealing with injuries … players go through a lot, especially when they get into the mix and then suffer a massive injury to be out for six to nine months,” Dolly said.
“For us it’s important to have that in place. Stress management … our players are under tremendous stress when it comes to selection, life, family.
“We have also have a registered psychologist, Nicole Hayes, who runs our development department. She also has player development managers in the different unions, which gives us regular feedback.”
While proving mental health help, My Players also visits the different unions to talk to players about social media and the perils that come with stardom and the money they earn from being an influencer on platforms such as Instagram and X.
“Social media bullying … we don’t monitor it, but we know it’s out there,” Dolly said.
“Social media is also the players’ bread and butter with the different influencer posts. We have roadshows throughout the year and we try to make players aware of the potential hazards of social media, especially the young ones that are new to the professional rugby scene.”
Shafiek Mouton, managing director of F7 Sports Management, says sports agents also have a role to play to provide their clients with a strong support system.
“From an agent's perspective, it's important to have an open relationship with the player. Sometimes your role requires you to be a mentor, father figure or older brother,” said Mouton.
“I'm not a psychologist or a social worker, and that's why I try and surround myself with professionals in different fields. Some clubs or representative teams have someone in their backroom staff that can deal with issues such as these.
“It's important for athletes to have a strong support system who back him unconditionally.”
Fans will always be passionate, but there is a thin line between criticism and abuse. It’s also the role of the supporter to know that. But I doubt that social media trolls are going to back off any time soon.
IOL Sport