Bakkies’ boerie the best
“JA, no definitely,” Bakkies Botha this week answered in all his ambiguous glory when asked if he still makes boerewors for his teammates in Toulon. “When I arrived there the only South African there was Joe van Niekerk and, since [then] they are coming in fast. I don’t know what pulls them, is it the euro or the boerewors? I love it when the guys phone me, even the Australian, Matt Giteau. They ask: ‘Can I fetch a packet of boerie?’ I say: ‘Come past, I’ll give you one.’ ” It’s all too suggestive for some.
TAPPE Henning, the former test referee and guru has a weighty task on his hands. He has just taken over as boss of Scottish rugby’s referees. Actually, referees commissioner is his official title. They only have one professional referee and haven’t had a test referee for nine years. Given the way Scottish referees are viewed in Europe, Henning may find Nessie before the next whistle blower of test quality.
BRYAN Habana, who also plays in Toulon, admitted all the travelling has caused some domestic upheaval. “It definitely hasn’t put me up for the husband-of-the-year award. With the whole relocation and letting my wife unpack the container on her own.” Shame.
WELL, they can’t all be perfect, was the first thing that sprung to mind when Tightheads heard the Springboks were heading to Old Trafford to watch Manchester United play Arsenal last Sunday. Apparently quite a few Boks support the Reds Devils. For their sins, and for the second week running, their coach driver lost his bearings and they only pulled into their hotel after midnight.
PRIME location has its drawbacks, as Bok coach Heyneke Meyer discovered on Thursday. The Boks’ hotel in Edinburgh is near a busy intersection on the famous Royal Mile and a local paper requested a photograph of Meyer there. Tightheads thought of photo-bombing the shoot, but figured there was still more than a week to go on tour.
“A lot of things are new,” said JP Pietersen about playing in Japan. “It’s a different culture, a different lifestyle. I really miss Nando’s. We don’t braai. We do it Tongan style and put a pig on a spit and that’s it.” Again, shame.