Brits’s split personality
SCHALK BRITS is considering combining the Test arena with university beer rugby after his surprise recall by the Springboks.
The 37-year-old hooker, who has come out of retirement to join up with the South Africa squad, has a confirmed place at Cambridge University awaiting him in September with the option of Oxford too.
With South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus keen for him to play on until next year’s World Cup, Brits could lead a bizarre double life.
“I was sipping tequilas in Ibiza with my wife and three boys when I got a text, I didn’t know who from, asking if I’d like to play a bit more rugby,” said the man who left Saracens last month.
“When I tried to find a little more as to who was on the other end of the text, that person told me he was Rassie.
“I thought someone was playing a practical joke. I phoned Vincent Koch at Saracens to send me Rassie’s contact details. Before I knew it I was part of the Springboks and part of this amazing squad. I had a good conversation with Rassie and we’ll see after these two games how it goes. There are a lot of other things that need to be addressed, and there a lot of opportunities in the real world away from rugby.
“I still want either the Cambridge or Oxford experience. The one thing I do know is I don’t have a rugby club in the UK so that makes it quite tricky.
“It would be funny if I were to play for the Springboks and the Varsity at the same time.”
Brits could square up to Jamie George and his other former Saracens team-mates as the series moves on to Bloemfontein this weekend.
“I actually had coffee with all the Saracens boys in Johannesburg on Sunday morning and it was fantastic seeing them. They’re like brothers,” he said.
“Myself and Jamie have been texting saying how weird this would be if we were to play each other. He knows all my strengths and weaknesses and vice versa.”