I’ve served my time – it means the world to me to be back
Boks chief says year-long ban only deepened his passion for the job
THIS time next week I will have been back in the coaching box for the first time in a year. It will be my 50th birthday on the Saturday of our Test in Dublin but that’s the last thing on my mind. The bigger thing for me is returning to Ireland, where I spent a relatively short time working as a coach. A few of us will travel to Cork on the Sunday to prepare for our South Africa ‘A’ game against my old club Munster and that’s a place that holds a special place in my heart.
My ban has given me plenty of time to reflect. Words can’t describe how much I’ve missed being in the stadium with the guys. There’s nothing that can replace that match-day feeling. The buzz around the changing room before the boys run out. Looking into their eyes and seeing the excitement... or sometimes the nerves.
Observing these big men from different cultures who care for each other and commit their lives towards a common goal. It’s magical. It was not a nice feeling standing in the hotel lobby as the team got on the bus without me. Rugby is my passion and it means the world to me to be back.
I guess it’s pointless trying to convince people that I didn’t leak that video, but I will always stand by the truth. The bottom line is that I was banned and I served the time. I won’t be standing on the touchline as the water boy because it is no longer within the laws of the game. However, I will be up in the coaching box with the guys.
We have faced tough opposition so far this season and we know we are in for a massive tour. We start off with Tests against the No1 and
No2 sides in the world and will be one of our toughest tours in years. These are the type of high-pressure games we’ll face in the World Cup, so it is perfect preparation.
Having Springbok and SA ‘A’ teams playing in the same week, juggling players and team management, getting the sides to function optimally on and off the field is exactly the challenge we want.
My role as director of rugby is to oversee the national structures and to manage the off-field matters so the coaches can focus purely on coaching. I will deal with front-of-house stuff and continue to voice my opinion.
We have 11 official languages in South Africa and for most of us English is not our first language, so our tone may come across as aggressive and direct. This is not an attempt to challenge people, but rather a natural part of being South African.
People may be asking why Ireland means so much to me. Coaching Munster in 2016 and 2017 was such a significant time in my life. I was there in Paris when Axel Foley passed away. How could I ever forget that day? At the time I didn’t know how to deal with things like that, but the Irish people guided me through and I will forever be thankful. I guess the only way to say thank you is to catch up with as many Irish friends as possible and enjoy the challenge Munster and Ireland will pose.
We haven’t played Ireland for five years. Rugby there is like precision farming. They have more or less 200 professional players but they get the best out of them. They’re No 1 in the world and that’s only our first Test match on a tough sixgame tour.
The international landscape has become incredibly competitive. In 2019, it was relatively easy to pick a favourite going into the World Cup. Now it’s wide open. Judging by a few recent results, I believe there is no favourite going into this World Cup.
Wales were beaten by Italy and New Zealand were beaten by Argentina, before they beat Australia. Ireland were beaten by France, before they beat New Zealand. And Eddie Jones proved everybody wrong by winning in Australia with England.
I guess there are many more examples, which is why I believe it will be one of the most closely contested World Cups.
As I wrap up my final column before I return to the stadium, what I would love to say is this: no matter what capacity one is involved in — as a player, coach, referee or fan — if you abide by the laws and protocols of the game, no one should prevent you from sharing your opinion.