Ralepelle: To win my 100th Super cap was very emotional
DURBAN: Chiliboy Ralepelle’s career that has had its ups and downs; from leading the Springboks at the age of 20, in 2006, against a World XV team, to a steroid ban in 2012. The former Pretoria Boys High pupil has seen it all. However, since making his way back to South Africa, via the Sharks, the hooker has reinvigorated his game, picking up his 100th Super Rugby cap just last week.
Ralepelle’s past few years at the Sharks has seen him recalled into the Bok fold, picking up a few more caps along the way, playing his way back to the top of rugby’s pyramid after a long absence.
The hooker amassed 69 caps for the Bulls before he left for France to play for Toulouse, spending two years there but only playing 16 games. Ralepelle also picked up his two-year ban in France, while recovering from a knee injury that also stymied his growth as a player.
After leaving France, he cropped up in Durban, looking to revive his career somewhat, but arriving at the age of 29, there was not too much expected of the veteran who had experienced such a rocky road.
But as it stands today, Ralepelle must be one of the first on new Bok coach Rassie Erasmus’ list for hooker, especially with the incumbent Malcolm Marx out of the June games against Wales and England.
Ralepelle is now a Super Rugby centurion, and is counting each and every one of his blessings.
“It is a massive blessing to be part of the Sharks and this has really been a family to me,” Ralepelle said. “To get the 100 caps, and to run out for the Sharks for my 100th cap, it was a special moment, and very emotional.
“When I reflect back to my first game in 2006 to today, it feels like yesterday. But if you had asked me in 2006 if I see myself with 100 caps, Super Rugby caps, I probably would have said no.”
Ralepelle’s turnaround was no accident though, the hooker has been hard at work since being given his chance in Durban, and admits that a lot of it has come down to conditioning and mental preparation.
“What I did was work with the conditioning coaches,” Ralepelle explained. “They worked hard with me on the side, to do a lot more conditioning. On the mental side of things, I pay a lot of attention to that now, where previously I didn’t pay much attention to the mindset of the game and how you get yourself up for every game at all. That is one thing that has changed from last year to this year’s performance.”
Ralepelle has become integral to the Sharks’ cause, pushing himself to be more than just a safe option in case one of the younger guys is injured. He has been rotating with Akker van der Merwe this season, seeing as Franco Marais is on his way to Gloucester, and adding some much-needed experience at times.
Ralepelle’s revival is an inspirational story as the softspoken hooker takes it all in his stride, simply trying to improve when ever he gets the chance to shine – be it with the Boks, or in Durban.
“It was a dream come true,” Ralepelle added about his 100cap milestone. “Just one of those things that worked out as I stayed on the path, and at the end of the day I just say thanks to the Lord for what he has given me, to be able to play this game in a wonderful spirit with a bunch of brothers.”