Rugby museum does Springboks proud

CAPE TOWN — Springbok rugby captain Jean de Villiers led his side and 30 former national rugby captains at the opening of the new Springbok Experience rugby museum at the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront yesterday.

The museum is considered the most hi-tech and interactive sports museum in the world. The experience features more than 20 interactive touch screen exhibits; a total of 64 monitors and 20 projectors; an eight-minute film presentation in a mini-Springbok cinema; more than 20 audiovisual exhibits and mechanical interactive exhibits for children.

The South African Rugby Union (Saru) and the designers worked with a number of historians, players past and present, and specialists to develop the content themes and narrative structures in the museum.

British firm Mather & Company designed the museum.

“The Springbok Experience is a museum … arguably unlike anything seen in SA before,” said Saru CEO Jurie Roux.

Corporate affairs GM Andy Colquhoun refused to say how much the union had spent on the museum, but added it was part of the marketing budget, which is amortised over 10 years.

Rugby World Cup-winning captain John Smit said it made him “proud all over again to be associated with the Springboks”.

Former captain Dawie de Villiers agreed, saying: “It is not only an interesting, but also a very captivating story of the divisions of our past. It also tells very clearly that we have reached the point where everyone can move on and support one team in solidarity.”

Former captain Peter Jooste had similar sentiments. “This brings closure to a lot of people, as it tells the true story of rugby from all sides of the spectrum … It really brings unity,” he said.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said the Springbok Experience is a very emotional experience and makes you realise how special it is to be a part of it.