‘Schalla’ is one of life’s great characters

One of my favourite recent rugby memories was accidentally bumping into “Schalla” last week. For those who don’t know, the nickname Schalla refers to hooker Schalk Brits, who nowadays plays Super Rugby for the Bulls.

Brits was a star in the Bulls’ surprising 30-12 win over the Lions at Ellis Park last weekend, and it was the first time in many years that Schalla had returned to his former stomping ground.

Turning back the clock, I recall becoming well-acquainted with Brits when he first announced his arrival on the big scene some 15 years ago.

He was just 22 and had produced some sterling performances for the Lions in the Currie Cup and the Cats in Super Rugby.

After his stint with the Lions, he returned to Cape Town where he couldn’t make inroads into the Western Province team.

Soon afterwards, however, he ventured overseas to sign for Saracens, and he stayed there for many seasons, ultimately becoming somewhat of a legend in England.

So when I bumped into Schalla in the media centre last week, after his stellar performance, his face lit up in recognition of a journalist he hadn’t seen regularly in 15 years (though I had, of course, seen him occasionally when he turned out on a few rare occasions for the Boks).

I asked him how it felt to be back at Ellis Park after so many years, and to play against the team where it had all started for him. His response: “It was fantastic”. I replied that he had really looked at home.

We need more characters like Brits in our game. There’s simply no arrogance or chip on his shoulder to be detected, and he displays humble recognition of the doors that have opened for him on his journey.

While he also turned out for the Stormers, Brits recognised that the Lions had opened their doors to him as a youngster.

And while the Bulls should be commended for signing Brits at the ripe age of 37, he paid them back against his former team, the Lions, last week. He also showed why national coach Rassie Erasmus holds the former Saracens star in such high regard.

And while we are on the subject of the Bulls, I’m so happy that coach Pote Human is finally getting the recognition he deserves.

He has been one of the most underrated coaches in SA for some time, since he coached Griquas and Tukkies, as well as during his previous stints as an understudy to the now departed John Mitchell.