NICKNAME: Big “D” or uncle “D” or just “D”
WHEN DID YOU JOIN HAMMIES? 2013
WHICH CLUBS AND TEAMS DID YOU PLAY FOR? Was part of Pretoria Police in the late 1980’s – fluffed in and around the inter-unit teams.
FAVOURITE POSITION PLAYED? Fullback – you will not believe this, I ran the 100m in 11.4 seconds (on grass) during my good years.
RUGBY HONOURS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: Nothing on the field, but OFF the field – taking over the rugby responsibilities from the legendary, Colonel Peet Kleynhans at National Sport in 1992. Peet who was then Head Coach of Pretoria Police, and then he later became one of the most successful coaches ever at Free State Cheetah Rugby.
FAVOURITE HAMMIES MOMENT: Becoming 1st team Manager during 2016 and in 2017 when Hammies performed better than Maties as a Club – 1st team came 3rd in SLA, 2nd team and 3rd team won their respective SLA leagues.
FAVOURITE HAMMIES LEGEND AND WHY: The late Morris Silke, a father, a teacher, a friend, and a legend!
MOST MEMORABLE RUGBY MOMENT: When I became part of the culture and tradition of the oldest rugby club in Southern Africa. Although I did win the soccer “Currie Cup” with Northern Transvaal in 1991.
WHAT MOVIE CHARACTER DESCRIBES YOU BEST, AND WHY?
Sherlock Holmes – has the skill to investigate opportunities for change and never gives up. Ability to connect different concepts and people.
SOMETHING YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME:
LIKES: Positive people that make a difference, and I am a true believer of transparency.
DISLIKES: Dishonest people that unashamedly lie, and persons that only criticize but are not willing to make a difference!
FUNNIEST MOMENT ON THE FIELD: Playing with a severe strained thigh, I kicked the ball to touch from in my 22 against the wind. As I kicked the ball my thigh gave way and the ball sliced off my right foot. It ended up under my own goal post where the opposition wing fell on the ball for a try. I was not substituted but walked off the field from embarrassment with everyone laughing.
FAVOURITE RUGBY PLAYER OF ALL TIME: Naas Botha “say no more”
GOALS FOR 2021: Establish Hammies to be the best rugby club off and on the field of play.