A lock of enduring quality
A career almost wrecked keeps rolling with the punches
● The poignancy of the moment did not escape Franco Mostert when he was handed the Lions’ captain’s armband this week.
What brought the Lions lock to this point in his career was in no small part due to his brother JP, who broke his neck in a horrific car accident seven months ago.
“Even when we were small he was always the leader,” Mostert recalled. “He is two years older than me and he kept me out of mischief. He was captain at school and played as Craven Week captain. I learned a lot from him. He instilled leadership in me.
“He was in intensive care for six months. He recovered to be discharged from ICU machines. He is in rehab. He is doing really well and I’m proud of him.”
What happened to his brother reminded Mostert of how lucky he has been. He had his own brush with death when he was stricken following a serious car crash in 2013. It almost put paid to his rugby career.
“It took me 14 months to recover. I had to lie on my back for six months. I could not move.”
His thoughts were a constant companion. “A lot of people take it for granted. When something like this happens you realise how privileged you are. That changes your mindset and the way you view life.”
That he was able to rebuild his career and go on to play for the Boks says something about Mostert’s fortitude. His raison d’etre is more clearly defined.
“The thing that changed my perspective was my little daughter (Joia-Belle, who will turn one next week) and my wife (Juan-Ri). Once you have a family you realise what life is about. You play for them, you have to care for them.
“Also, to get up every morning knowing I can join my brothers, my best pals, gives me purpose. I work outdoors. Not a lot of people get to do that. It is just an honour to do that and do so with your mates. We laugh, have
If you’re good enough, they have to pick you Mossie Mostert Dad of Bok and Lions lock Franco Mostert
fun and stay fit and healthy at the same time,” said Mostert, whose teammates call him ‘Sous’.
His “other family” has required him to be adaptable. He may be a lock who cuts a towering presence, but Lions coach Swys de Bruin has recognised the value he can add as a blindside flank.
He was deployed there to devastating effect against the Bulls and he returned to that position yesterday against the Sunwolves.
Surely the to-ing and fro-ing might dilute his stock in the Bok scheme of things?
He admits to have clashed with De Bruin on the subject, but adds: “It is not a big deal. If coach Swys wants me to play at seven I'll do that. If at the Boks they want me to play five or seven, it doesn’t matter.
“For me it is about being there. It is about getting the opportunity to play. The position doesn’t matter.
“Seven and five doesn’t differ a helluva lot. The irritating thing about playing seven is that you have to defend blindside all the time at the ruck.
“However, you do get to see more of the ball and by doing that you get to be on TV more,” he chuckled.
“To be honest, my dad always told us, ‘If you’re good enough, they have to pick you’.”
A year and a half out from the World Cup, Mostert has some big decisions to make. Over the last two years he has had stints with the Ricoh Black Rams in Tokyo and, though he loves Japan, his career may take him elsewhere. The same holds true for the Lions, who will be eager to hold on to his services. “We are going to start that process now,” Mostert said about contract negotiations.
Despite the setbacks, Mostert has been a lock of enduring quality. Should he decide to leave, he’ll do so walking tall.