Forever an Overberger

South Africa’s first Coloured Springbok rugby player still lives in Caledon, the Overberg town where he was born in 1950. Errol Tobias, whose long-awaited autobiography will be published in September, shares his love of his favourite place.

At the end of a stressful day there truly is no better place to catch my breath than on the front stoep of our house, which I built myself, preferably with my wife, Sandra, at my side and a lovely cup of coffee in hand.

When I sit here I admire the Swartberg mountains on the one side,

showing off all their glory. These mountains are home to the magnificent king protea.

On my right is the local rugby field from where the cheering of spectators can still be heard Saturday afternoons, just like 40 years ago when I played here. These days, this stoep is the perfect vantage point from which to watch my grandchildren’s activities. And I think back to the time when we would spend countless Sundays playing with our sons and daughters after lunch.

But then the day arrived – much sooner than I expected – when Father Time knocked on my door and I realised I could no longer keep up with the children…

And yet this stoep and this view remain the home of happy memories.