COACHING POSITION: Assistant 1st team backline coach
NICKNAME: Robbie/Robba
WHEN DID YOU JOIN HAMMIES? 2020
COACHING BACKGROUND:
I was honored to get involved with coaching at a very young age – from individual coaching to school rugby to club rugby to varsity rugby and provincial teams – I’ve done it all
WHICH CLUBS DID YOU PLAY FOR?
In the early 90’s I played for Belville Rugby Club U21 and seniors. I continued my rugby career in the Free State at the SANDF (Tempe) and Old Greys Rugby Club
WHICH PROVINCIAL TEAMS DID YOU PLAY FOR?
WP Disas
Hunters Gold 7’s (Wingfield Sevens Series)
FAVOURITE PLAYING POSITIONS:
9
RUGBY HONOURS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:
Captain of the ‘95 U21 Belville Rugby team that wond the WPSAL (Always a triumph if you can win Maties twice in one year)
Free State Cheetah Company PRO (Marketing)
Part of the team responsible for hosting Jake White’s 1st test as National coach in Bloemfontein against Ireland
Responsible for securing the additional Super Rugby Franchise for the Free State Cheetahs in 2005, to split from the then CATS and join the competition in 2006
FAVOURITE HAMMIES MOMENT:
Obviously we didn’t play much rugby in 2020. That said, my favourite moment to date will stay the win over Durbell and the team building weekend in Robertson.
FAVOURITE HAMMIES LEGEND/PERSONALITY AND WHY:
This club is insane! There are too many ‘legends’ to mention – so much passion and many traditions – some of the older uncles still serving the club on a daily basis. I will however salute three true legends: Clinton van Rensburg, Morgan Newman and Greg van Jaarsveld
MOST MEMORABLE RUGBY MOMENT:
The 1st game my son RJ played for the Cheetah Kids at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein.
In 1984, I was selected captain of the Morne Du Plessis U10 team to play a pre-match at Newlands for the Springboks vs South America.
Being part of the 2005 Currie Cup win with coaching legend Rassie Erasmus on Loftus Versveld for the 1st time in 29 years.
Pints! Always time for a cold one – especially if it is with rugby legends who became friends like Rassie Erasmus, James Small, Tana Umaga and Jerry Collins, etc.
BEST ADVICE FOR UPCOMING PLAYERS:
Work as hard as you can – when you feel you can’t work any harder, then work a little bit harder. Always remember – it’s not how many times you fail, fall and get hurt, it’s how many times you decide to stand up and do it all over again – even harder.
WHAT MOVIE CHARACTER DESCRIBES YOU BEST, AND WHY?
Keanu Reeves – chilled and relaxed – until you mess with my ‘family’ and dog
SOMETHING YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME:
I have broken almost every bone in my body – 13 operations – all rugby-related injuries
LIKES:
Good food and great company, the outdoors, golfing, fishing, scuba diving – any adventure
DISLIKES
Disrespectful, arrogant and self-centred people, mice, rats, cauliflower and cabbage
FAVOURITE RUGBY PLAYER OF ALL TIME:
James Small, Rassie Erasmus and Tana Umaga
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT HAMMIES?
For me it’s the scenery – personally, I think it’s one of the most beautiful fields to train on – especially at sunset.
GOALS FOR 2021:
To support and serve the management and coaching staff in all areas – on and off the field. To have a positive impact on just one and/or all the amazing players I get to work with every week.