A Bit of Rugby History

Many years ago there used to be the Club Championships in Durban over the Easter weekend.   My parents - close friends of the Louw family - insisted that I go and see Rob Louw during the said weekend - so the Monday morning before the final between Maties and Tukkies a  friend of mine - the father of Chris Faure's girlfriend - and myself went to the Edenroc Hotel.

There was not a Matie player anywhere in sight, but the Tukkies players were all over the place.   There was the 19 year old Naas Botha - very shy indeed.   (Not now anymore - I guess).   We asked Chris Faure about the Maties and he said they were in a team talk.   We sat down with Chris and started chatting.   After about  an hour the lift door opened and out wwalked Dr Danie Craven - followed by Jan Boland Coetzee and the rest of the team.

Dr Craven walked up to the table where we sat and said to Chris:-

"I have not got a team today - you are going to have the easiest game imaginable".  Obviously he spoke Afrikaans - but that was an exact translation.

I walked over and spoke to Rob Louw.   His hands were literally shaking and shivering - so I asked him if anything is wrong.   He replied that they just came out of a team talk - where Doc Craven spoke to each player individually for five minutes.

Needless to say - Maties beat Tukkies in the final by 27-6.

That was psyching up - if ever there was such before a game.

Didnt Doc Craven have a triple doctorate in the subject?

In recall watching Jan Boland play as a lighty. He had limited athletic ability but a huge heart. Saw him at Stellenbosch golf course at a comp I played in. He had provided an oxen for lunch that day and braaied it. Made a vey funny speach. Great guy.

Beeno

Did you know Jan Boland was the Manager of Paul Saur's farm Kanonkop and he inherited a 50% share of the farm - the other share going to Saur's daughter.   Afterwards there were some problems and Jan Boland moved out of the partnership.

I may mention one thing about Saur - at the time Minister of Forestry.   Went to a braai at Tokai plantation where he was guest of honour.   I was standing having a Lieberstein - when the old man walked up to our group.   A girl standing next to me thrust her drink into my hand and I could not greet the Minister.   He asked me what I was drinking and bearing in mind his ownership of Kanonkop - I said "Minister we cannot afford better wine - so I am having a Lieberstein".  

His response was a classic:  "I still think Lieberstein is one of the best table wines produced in South Africa".

Taught me to keep quiet on a subject I know nothing about!!!!

No I didnt but he is obviously a wealthy guy is Jan Boland. You have certainly have got about in your life Mike.

Wines are not a forte of mine but I have now after liiving in the Cape gained a smattering of understanding but no more. Cant be an expert in too many things of course!  One leaves the fast cars and fine wines to the likes of Moz!

That last line of yours though leaves an opening I trust no one will take!!

That last sentence was included for a very specific reason - that is to give people the opportunity to have some real fun at my expense.

By the way - yes I did get around in life and people keep on asking me to write a book about it.   But then what would it be called?   Something like the "Curiosities I came acroos in Life".   Some of the members of this site will come close to inclusion in the book.  

Go for it Mike, I will certainly buy a copy and doubtless some rich material can be found here!