The former Springbok prop on life after rugby, how he prepared for it, what sports authorities should be doing to help their players prepare for the next chapter, and his love of cooking!
Q: What are your current work commitments, including businesses you’re invested in, board positions etc?
A: I’m a shareholder in Fidelity Security, a shareholder in a SMME called Umlindi Security, I’ve got my own wine collection called The Beast Wine Collection, which launched earlier this year, and I sit on the board of The Sharks, where I’m a consultant to the MVM Holdings consortium, the owners of the Sharks, and I’ve got a few other things in the pipeline I’m working hard on. That’s pretty much it, for now.
Q: Tell us about that wine collection?
A: Ja, I’m actually quite a big secret wine lover. I enjoy it a lot and now I’ve done a partnership with some prominent wine estates in the Cape, and The Beast Wine Collection is going to be packed with some amazing wine.
Q: I see that earlier in the year you also signed an ambassador deal with home and kitchen appliance brand AEG?
A: My wife and I love to cook for and entertain our family and friends, and it’s therefore important that our kitchen is a comfortable space to work in and converse, as well as being functionally well-equipped, as it pretty much forms the nucleus of our family’s home. So, I’m thrilled to work with a brand that is creating sought-after living spaces.
Q: Anything else keeping you busy?
A: I’m back at school, doing a MBA, which is another thing I’ve been enjoying, but it’s probably the toughest thing I’ve started after rugby, to try and get back to school, because I realised that education is important for my future in business. But, that, along with my business interests and my philanthropy with my foundation, are just giving me a purpose in my next chapter. I’m grateful for that.
Q: And I see you’re being represented by Roc Nation Sports?
A: I am thrilled and truly honoured to be involved with Roc Nation Sports. The brand is dynamic and forward thinking and that’s exactly what I need in this next chapter of my life.
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Q: You’ve obviously been busy, but how would you describe your mental state since retiring and how have you embraced no longer playing?
A: My mental state has been great and I’ve been blessed with landing on my feet in my next chapter, as I was when I played 117 times for the Springboks and the most Super Rugby games for the Sharks. I went full circle and I’ve certainly got no regrets. When I look back on my career, I look back with a big smile on my face, and I remain super grateful.
Q: During your playing career, when did you realise that you needed to prepare early for life after rugby? Was there anything that gave you this ‘wake-up call’?
A: I definitely prepared for life after rugby at an early age, as I knew that rugby was never going to be forever, with a start and an end date. I knew I had to make the most of it and I did. For me, it was all about thinking about my other passions off the field, in terms of business interests, and trying to get into those early. I was fortunate to meet my mentor (and Fidelity Security CEO – Ed) Wahl Bartmann when I was just 23 or 24 and from there I got to invest in his business as a shareholder. So, that helped, in a way, to have that foundation and to understand about business. That gave me a lot of direction and set me apart in a big way.
Q: As a player, did you feel the system was geared up enough to prepare players for life after rugby?
A: The system is not geared enough to prepare players for life after rugby. It’s quite sad that a lot of rugby players, when they retire, usually struggle to find their feet in the next chapter and there should be a lot more support, especially from organisations and teams they’ve been representing. I think that’s super important.
Q: What are your thoughts on the Sharks’ Players First Programme?
A: What impresses me most is how proactive The Sharks have been in setting up the programme, which will ensure long-term sustainability. It’s important, because sport is not forever and it’s important to invest in your players for the long-term, because people have families, who they have to look after. And the only way to get rid of issues like depression and other mental health issues, is by helping players prepare for their future. That’s the way I see it. It’s super important and that’s why I’m doing my bit to address it, as are other former players, because it’s a big topic. Rugby is probably only 10% of your entire life and you’ve still got your whole life ahead of you. So, you’ve got to make sure you get the best support to thrive on and off the field.
