Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2020 i SA RUGBY

Rugby received a much-needed boost when New Zealand led the way with the start of Super Rugby Aotearoa in June and Australia put in place plans for its domestic competition to kick off in July. And while it remains a waiting game in South Africa (see pages 38-41), there was hope of a return to training as the country moved to level three of lockdown at the start of June. Here at SA Rugby magazine, and I’m sure like many of you at home, we’re excited by signs of light after an extended period without on-field action to entertain us over the weekends. Yet it’s also been a time to reflect on some of the untold stories, and we hope you enjoy our cover feature on World Cup star Handre…

With Covid-19 causing absolute havoc across the world with hundreds of thousands of deaths, many businesses going under and millions more suffering job losses, we can safely say 2020 is a ‘write off’. We all have ideas and theories of what should be done and how governments should deal with the disaster but, then again, who knows what the real impact and ramifications will be over the next few months and years? Schools have been hit hard and pupils across South Africa have lost months of education. One has to feel for the Grade 7s and 12s in their last years of primary and high school. They are the ones I feel most sorry and aggrieved for. I will refer to rugby but the same can be said about all…

RUDY PAIGE ‘How life has changed,’ joked the Springbok scrumhalf while sharing a moment with his daughter. SIYA KOLISI ‘May we hear them, may we uplift them, may we respect them, may we protect them,’ said the Springbok captain, who assisted the less fortunate with donations during lockdown. JACO TAUTE ‘Patiently waiting for my turn to go shop for groceries,’ joked the Leicester Tigers centre. JAMES VENTER ‘Level 3 we're ready for you,’ said the excited Sharks flank as lockdown eased at the beginning of June. CHESLIN KOLBE ‘I was supposed to be in France during this time, however I believe there was a purpose for me being in Cape Town during this lockdown. Thankful for what I have and the chance to give back,’ said the Springbok wing, who…

Marcell Coetzee found himself in a fortunate position during the period of lockdown. With European competition placed on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Springbok found a home in the South African bush with his wife Chanelle. Based at a guesthouse in Marloth Park, which borders the Kruger National Park, his daily routine included morning runs in the bush and regular interactions with wildlife, while some of the local community donated equipment to be used for his gym work. When SA Rugby magazine caught up with Coetzee via a Zoom video chat in mid-May, the sounds of birdlife served as a backing track to the interview, while we were briefly interrupted by the arrival of some passing impala. For his teammates and friends at Irish club Ulster, Coetzee also…

The Covid-19 crisis has presented rugby with a number of setbacks and challenges in recent months. At the same time, it has created opportunities that may not have arisen in normal circumstances. Plans are afoot to reintroduce players to the game via local tournaments in countries around the world. New Zealand will stage a five-team domestic tournament. South Africa and other nations will follow suit as soon as the threat of infection has diminished and the players are conditioned for the challenge. It must be frustrating for the South Africans to see the Kiwis getting a ‘head start’ on the new season. The New Zealanders will return to training first. They will be match-fit first. They will compete against one another well before the South African tournament commences. That will…

What made you decide to join La Rochelle? They were really keen to have me over there. I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to experience a different lifestyle and rugby environment. The director of rugby Jono Gibbes and head coach Ronan O’Gara explained their approach and how I can add value to the way they want to go, which was attractive to me. They gave me the feeling they really wanted me to come over. Even when it was just discussions, some of their players reached out and told me what a nice club it is and the amazing support they have. It got to the point where I thought it could be a good move for me. What do you expect from the Top 14?…

There was a time in 2019 when an injury-ravaged Siya Kolisi doubted whether he was the right man to lead the Springboks. Fortunately, he found some support in the shape of Handre Pollard. ‘I wasn’t yet at my best when I played against Argentina in Pretoria and then against Japan in the World Cup warm-up,’ the captain tells SA Rugby magazine. ‘I was asking myself whether I might be a liability at the tournament. I tend to ask for help when I need it on the pitch, but on this occasion I tried to get through the issue on my own. ‘Handre could see that I was stressing and needed help. He came to me and gave me affirmation. He told me he would take charge if I needed him…

Malcolm Marx was the best player in South Africa in 2017. He was, without question, the best hooker in Test rugby. And yet, as a regular feature in a struggling Springbok team, he was some way from realising his full potential. The 2018 and 2019 seasons forced Marx and many of the so-called first-choice players in the Bok set-up to cultivate a more combative mindset. There was more competition at hooker and Rassie Erasmus went on to pick Bongi Mbonambi for the decisive 2019 Rugby Championship clash against Argentina. On the eve of the World Cup playoffs, Erasmus insisted that Mbonambi and Marx were not rivals and that both had a key role to play across a contest of 80 minutes. Those words proved prophetic, as Mbonambi made a set-piece…

One of the many pleasing things for the table-topping Sharks at the pause of Super Rugby would have been the rich payback they had received from the players head-hunted in the ‘off-season’. Last year coach Sean Everitt and chief executive officer Eduard Coetzee agreed on the players they wanted to complement their style of play in Super Rugby in 2020 – a fast-paced, counterattacking game based on turnover ball won from aggressive contesting of the breakdowns – and openside flank James Venter (Lions), No 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Stormers) and loosehead prop Ox Nche (Cheetahs) were brought to the Shark Tank. ‘I FELT THAT AT THIS JUNCTURE IN MY CAREER I WANTED TO BE AMONG WORLD CUP WINNERS’ Venter has been a combative menace at the breakdowns, Notshe superb in his…

Rugby likes to believe its unique selling point as a sporting code is its sense of community. You don’t go two minutes into a conversation with a rugby person without them misting up and prattling on about it being a game for all shapes and sizes and a game which doesn’t discriminate on account of colour or creed (the last bit is a story for another day). Long story short, rugby takes pride in being an ‘all for one and one for all’ pursuit. This is why most would have thought the game’s recent collective bargain, in which the players would take a pay cut to help mitigate the financial damage the coronavirus outbreak is visiting upon the game, would be pretty seamless, given the aforementioned sense of community. But…

In my 14-year career, I haven’t found a more engaging interview subject than Waylon Murray. Even as a young player for the Sharks and Springboks, he had high levels of emotional intelligence which made for fascinating conversations. As a journalist I knew I had to be prepared to spar with him, but this always happened from a place of mutual respect. His dedication to his craft, knowledge of the game and care for people gave me the sense he’d be a great coach post retirement. He still may be, but right now he is sharing his expertise with students at Westville as the director of sport. His newfound passion as the host of a video podcast on Instagram, with the episodes later uploaded to YouTube, is what interests me most,…

OUTSIDE BACKS Aphelele Fassi (left) and Damian Willemse are leading candidates to feature for the Boks this year should Test rugby go ahead. Fassi was in outstanding form for the Sharks at the start of the Super Rugby season before competition was abruptly halted due to the coronavirus outbreak. If 2019 was his breakthrough season, 2020 was set to be the year when the talented youngster established himself at fullback. Elements of his defence and positioning may still need work, but the 22-year-old was deadly on the counter-attack, ranking as the competition’s best player when it came to kick returns. One could see Fassi being blooded in the Bok squad on the wing, while more experienced players, such as incumbent fullback Willie le Roux, offer mentorship at the highest level.…

OK, now that I’ve got your attention with the introduction, let me explain. I have always been interested in how science and technology can contribute to slowing down the ageing process. But I started to think about this more seriously in the past couple of years after watching the docu-series Tom vs Time. It tracked superstar NFL quarterback Tom Brady, then 40, in his bid to continue to play at an elite level in arguably the most demanding position in all sports. The training (physical and mental), nutrition and recovery regimen – featuring special pyjamas whose manufacturer claims it helps muscle recovery – was astounding. I understood how he could still perform at the levels he did. NOT ONLY ARE FLYHALVES NOT SHIELDED FROM THE OPPOSITION’S 100KG-PLUS HITMEN, THEY ALSO…

15. CHRISTIAN CULLEN Exciting as a first-phase strike runner or on the counter. Unmatched as an attacking fullback. 14. DOUG HOWLETT He was very fast. He could score at will when given merely a hint of space. 13. DEON KAYSER Brave beyond his frame, very quick and competitive in all aspects. Deon was often underestimated due to his unassuming nature. He should have played more for South Africa. 12. TREVOR HALSTEAD The Sharks had a launch call based on him called ‘Thunder’. Trevor was Thor-like in his directness. An underrated individual who always delivered. 11. JONAH LOMU Dominated the sport like no other. I made my Super Rugby debut against him and will never forget tackling him and feeling quite chuffed with myself. 10. BUTCH JAMES Dovetailed beautifully with Craig…

JON CARDINELLI SAYS THE LIONS WERE HIT HARDEST No South African side fared worse on ‘transfer day’ than the Lions. Four players, including World Cup winner Malcolm Marx, were released from their contracts. Although subsequent talk emerged to suggest the Lions were hoping to find a way to keep Marx from leaving, it remained unclear at the beginning of June whether they would succeed in these negotiations. The golden generation that won three straight conference titles and qualified for three finals is all but depleted. Only a handful of players who featured against the Hurricanes in the 2016 Super Rugby final are still with the Lions today. Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Dylan Smith and Ross Cronje featured prominently during the period of unprecedented success between 2016 and 2018.…

BRONCO BEAUDEN New Blues signing Beauden Barrett clearly used lockdown to enhance his conditioning as he impressed his new teammates by smashing the franchise’s Bronco Test record on his first day back. The drill, used to measure aerobic endurance, requires players to run shuttles of 20, 40 and 60 metres five times, as quickly as possible. The Blues claimed that eight personal bests were set during the drill but it was Barrett who led the pack with a time of four minutes and 12 seconds. THANKLESS TASK England forward Jamie George has revealed the inner workings of the national team through his efforts on the so-called social committee. The position went from being a badge of honour to the ‘turd that no one would pick up’, he says. Despite the…

In the immediate aftermath of the Springboks’ World Cup triumph, Faf de Klerk sent social media into overdrive and inspired a uniquely Proudly South African craze. The scrumhalf ‘broke the internet’, as they say, when pictures emerged of him celebrating in the Bok change room wearing nothing but a speedo costume in the colours of the South African flag. What added to the ‘trending’ social media moment were images showing De Klerk interacting with England’s Prince Harry while he was clad in just his colourful swimwear. ‘I COULD FEEL 10 MINUTES INTO THE FINAL THAT WHATEVER ENGLAND THREW AT US, WE HAD AN ANSWER FOR IT’ When the Springboks went on a trophy tour across South Africa, several fans lined the roads wearing similar speedos as they imitated De Klerk’s…

The winds of change are slowly starting to gather strength. After all the talk about what rugby’s movers and shakers should do during this pandemic-enforced break, the Six Nations and Sanzaar have finally come together to discuss the practical implementation of a global season. Would the concept have been discussed under normal circumstances? Probably not. With that in mind, perhaps the Covid-19 crisis will have a positive impact in some respects. The fallout has been brutal in terms of financial losses and that may well compromise unions and clubs in the years ahead. And yet, this crisis has created an opportunity for significant long-term change for global alignment and player welfare. May 2020 could be well remembered as one of the most important periods in professional rugby’s history. The month…

It wasn’t until he laid eyes on John Smit, captain of South Africa’s 2007 World Cup-winning giants, that the importance of what Frans Steyn and his team were facing struck him like a freight train. Steyn was a pup back in 2007, a straggly-haired 20-year-old thrust into the heart of the irrepressible Springboks. He could lash the ball from Pretoria to Cape Town, cut hulking men in two and generally made international rugby look obscenely easy as he became the youngest player in history to get his hands on the Webb Ellis Cup. Over a decade later, in the clammy warmth of Yokohama, with a swaggering England lying in wait in the World Cup final, he was the veteran of Rassie Erasmus’ reinvigorated Boks. He saw his old skipper on…

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