Gom june '14 issue 07 by Camouflage

‘My sport. My life.’

ISSUE 07, JUNE 2014

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

The only sports magazine for South African youth

the fairy tale rise OF

Handre Pollard TOP 20 SEE INSIDE

FOUNDERS Dave White | Michael Janse van Rensburg | Charl Kruger

Cover Photo: IRB, www.irb.com

QUARTERBACK (Creative Director) Michael Janse van Rensburg | michael@camouflage.co.za REFEREE (Sales Director) Dave White | white.dave78@gmail.com GOALKEEPER (Director) Charl Kruger | charl@camouflage.co.za COACH (Editor) Wilhelm de Swardtt | wilhelm@camouflage.co.za Assistant Coach (Copy Editor) Cecile Kiley | ceenaude@global.co.za PLAYMAKER (Art & Creative Senior Designer) Raymond Q Nkomo | ray@camouflage.co.za LINEBACKER (Senior Designer) Carli Jansen van Rensburg | carli@camouflage.co.za TIGHT END (Freelance Designer) Debbie van de Merwe | debbievandemerwe@gmail.com SUBSTITUTE (Graphic Designer) Kerry Kruger | kerry@camouflage.co.za HAWK EYE (Chief Photographer) Reg Caldecott | regpics101@gmail.com Eye In The Sky (Chief Photographer) Dr Henry Kelbrick | medsport@mweb.co.za IRON Sky (Award Winning Photographer) Herman Verwey | herman.verwey@gmail.com MASCOT (Illustrator) Jakes van Vuuren | vanvuurenjb@gmail.com X’s & O’s (Production Manager) Cherice Liebenberg | cherice@camouflage.co.za

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BENCH (CONTRIBUTORS) Issue 7, June 2014

Bernard van Tonder Photographer

ANDRIES VAN DER MERWE Athlete Diary

KOBUS PRETORIUS Journalist

Gerhard De Beer Javelin / American Football Diary

Karien Jonckheere Journalist

Wian Sullwald Triathlon Diary

LUNGILE MDLADLA Journalist Graeme Jackson Journalist A B Basson Journalist

SASPA (South African Sports Picture Agency) The BLD GROUP HIGH PERFORMANCE CENTRE-HATFIELD (hpc) High School Sports Magazine

GRANT Johnson & Shaun Dafel Columnist ARNAUD MALHERBE Columnists

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO BACK PAGE MEDIA

Kate Roberts Columnist GIELIE HOFFMANN Columnists Ben Crouse Columnists

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

contents Issue 7, June 2014

IMAGE GALLERY (EYE OF THE LENSE) monster energy , irb, springboks

LAUREN BOOYSEN: BOWLED OVER BY THE GAME

RICHARD MURRAY: TRIATHLON

MAIN STORY Handré Pollard:

(TRIATHLON) At the time of writing Wian Sullwald, by winning theChengdu event in China... Words by Wilhelm de Swardt | Photos Provided

fairy tale rising star

Schalk Burger: UNBREAKABLE

Neil Powell: Sevens Rugby Coach

High School Rugby World: Top 20

Grey High School: Team Rugby Profile (Rugby) 15 Aside. Words: High School Rugby World

2014 FIFA World Cup™

2014 fifa world cup™ special: IN NUMBERS WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER? (SOCCER) With the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ under way, here is an interesting look at the big showdown in Brazil. Compiled by : BackpageTxt

cricket TUKS: THE SPOTLIGHT ON CRICKET (CRICKET) TIn English these famous words by Julius Caesarmean ‘I came, I saw, I conquered’. Words by: By Wilhelm de Swardt , Photos provided

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

(ATHLETICS): Prinsloo also has a firm belief that everything happens for a reason... Words by: Karien Jonckheere / photos by Reg Caldecott

athletics Helen Payne: Can South African sprinters win a medal at the Rio Olympics? (ATHLETICS): Of course, even the four fastest men in the worlddon’t make a relay team if the baton doesn’t make it around the track. Words by: Helen Bayne | Photos by: BackPage Media /Reg Caldecott

WENDA NEL: TRUE GRIT (ATHLETICS): If ever a South African female athlete stood a chance of earning a medal in the 400 m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games, it’s Wenda Nel ... Words by: Wilhelm de Swardt | Photos by: Reg Caldecott

RIKENETTE STEENKAMP: HURTLING TOWARDS SUCCESS (ATHLETICS): The Aussie is certainly one of the sport’s modern legends... Words by: Wilhelm de Swardt | Photos by: R e g C a l d e c ott

2014 FIFA World Cup™: AN EYE ON AFRICA (SOCCER) Ivory Coast qualified for the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time in 2006... Words by: Graeme Jackson | Photos Backpage Media

KARIN PRINSLOO: INSPIRED FROM ON HIGH

Rugby

(Rugby) Best of the Best. Words: High School Rugby World

swimming

(Swimming) And that’s exactly what SA’s latest butterfly sensation is doing as he works to reach his ultimate goal of Olympic glory... Words by Karien Jonckheere| Photos Provided

Springboks Tribute

(Rugby) We always knew beating New Zealand in the quarters was going to be tough... Words by: Kobus Pretorius | Photos Backpage Media

DYLAN BOSCH: Wish it, Dream it, Do it.

FEATURES

(Rugby) Springbok flank Schalk Burger has twice been written off in a rugby career that spans more than a decade, but there is seemingly nothing that can stop him from playing the game he loves. Words: Kobus Pretorius | Photos: Backpage Media

cricket

COVER FEATURE

His rise through the ranks of South African rugby has played... Words by: Kobus Pretorius | Photos by IRB www.irb.com

(CRICKET) I couldn’t believe my ears when they called out my name. I was totally stunned... Words by: Karien Jonckheere | Photos by: Karl Schoemaker

St Johns Rugby : Devon Henson: The Future’s Looking Blue (Rugby): Playing in a tournament at Wynberg a month ago, the 18-year-old injured the carotid artery in his neck and is out of action for the rest of the season Words by: Karien Jonckheere | Photos by: Supplied

Nicholas Zille: DREAM CHASER (Rugby): Having reached the first team for the first time this year, the talented fly half is doing just that and it’s a former St John’s star and fellow fly half he cites as his inspiration. Words by: By Karien Jonckheere| Photos by: Supplied

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contents Issue 7, June 2014 Focus On Affies Affies Meisies: Marizanne Minnaar (ATHLETICS): According to Minnaar the most important thing she learned on tour was the importance of teamwork Words by: Wilhelm de Swardt | Photos by: Henry Kelbrick

103

Affies Meisies: Yolandi Stander and Wanzel Breytenbach (shot put): I have great respect for what Adams has achieved, but I consider Elizna Naudé Words: Wilhelm de Swardt | Photos: Henry Kelbrick.

106

underwater hockey Underwater Hockey: Breathtaking (Underwater Hockey): A sport invented by the British Navy to keep their soldiers fit, and expanded in South Africa... Words by: Philna van Veijeren | Photos by: Supplied

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ice hockey ICE HOCKEY: GO BIG OR GO HOME (ICE HOCKEY):Growth in terms of numbers is extremely important in South African ice hockey. Five years ago, South Africa had but 70 registered players countrywide... Words by: Philna van Veijeren | Photos by: Henry Kelbrick

114

celebrity article Francois Van Coke : Surfer In His Dreams; Rocker In Reality (RUGBY): “With every wild rock ‘n roll show I work up a good sweat and that’s how I like it.” Words by: Anna-Retha Bouwer | Photos by: Liam Lynch

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Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

EDITORIAL FUTURE-PROOFING TOMORROW’S BOKS The two most unpopular topics for athletes and sports teams to discuss, especially when they themselves are involved, are surely ‘losing’ and ‘defeat’. It is said that to finish second actually means that you are the first loser and after many hours of training that is not what you really want. But, as always, there are exceptions. Take, for example, the performance by the Junior Springboks at the IRB Junior World Championship in New Zealand where the Bokkies were beaten 21-20 by England in the final. It could be argued that a defeat is a defeat, but even so there were many positive aspects to soften the blow of defeat. For instance, although the Bokkies certainly played below par, they refused to accept defeat right up to the final whistle. More importantly, the Bokkies managed to beat the All Blacks twice on home soil in the build-up to the final. This took a lot of guts and determination, especially when taken into account that the Springboks and the Kiwis have been playing test rugby since 1921 and of the 40 tests played in New Zealand the Boks have only managed to win nine. Their last victory was in 2009 at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton. Hopefully the young players currently in the Junior Springbok Team will in future be less intimidated by the All Blacks if they go on to play for the Springboks against the All Blacks. They will at least know that their foes are not invincible on home soil and that any team creates its own good luck. SIDE BAR It would be great if, just for once, it would not be necessary for me to get onto my ‘soapbox’, but unfortunately the decision makers of the South African Football Association (SAFA) and SASCOC (South Africa’s Olympic body) make that impossible. My topic this time revolves around the way in which SAFA treated Gordon Igesund, Bafana Bafana coach. Admittedly it is their prerogative to decide who should coach the national team, but it is hard to believe that they still have not grasped the basic fact that the constant hiring and firing of coaches is not conducive to success.

Since 1992 (i.e for 22 years) Bafana has been coached by no less than 17 individuals. When one realises that some of these coaches had more than one stint at the helm, it means that SAFA technically appointed different coaches a whopping 23 times! This certainly borders on the ridiculous. When will SAFA realise that whoever coaches Bafana is bound to fail? Nothing, but nothing, will change before the local team owners and players grasp that it is both their privilege and responsibility to represent South Africa at the highest level of the sport. With the exception of Frans Steyn, and this is a story for another time, no young rugby player has ever refused to play for the Springboks. In fact the opposite is true. From the moment any young boy touches a rugby ball for the first time he starts dreaming of playing for the Boks one day. Not so in soccer. Apparently playing for Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates is more important than playing for your country. This is just not on. No soccer fan in Europe or South America is in the least interested in who wins a match between Chiefs or Pirates, or even who wins the local premier league, but if Bafana should suddenly beat top teams and qualify for World Cup Tournaments the international soccer community would certainly sit up and take note. I reckon it’s about time that the decision makers in both SAFA and SASCOC should start laying the blame for Bafana’s poor performances at the door of the players. Any coach can only do so much. In the end success depends on how much the players themselves want to achieve it and apparently South Africa’s foremost soccer players can’t really be bothered. Lastly, in view of the fact that we are only two years away from the next Olympic Games, I cannot understand how SASCOC could decide to send only two female athletes to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. If SASCOC were at least consistent in their selection of the team, it would perhaps be more acceptable, but they weren’t. It’s not that I begrudge any swimmer the great opportunity of being selected for our national team, but I cannot help wondering why seven female swimmers were selected.

It’s not as if South Africa’s local swimmers have been setting the world alight with their outstanding performances during the past year. Nevertheless they will go to Glasgow and experience what the Games is all about. The Commonwealth Games is an ideal opportunity to prepare young athletes for the Olympic Games. They will experience the grand opening ceremony, will stay in an athletes’ village and compete in front of thousands of spectators. This means that by 2016 they won’t be intimidated by the pomp and glory of it all. SASCOC’s short-sighted approach is one of the reasons why South Africans will keep on underperforming at the Games. Rikenette Steenkamp, Justine Palframan and Annerine Ebersohn are just a few young female athletes who should have been given an opportunity to compete in Glasgow. Another unanswered question is why Caster Semenya and Tsholofelo Thipe are the only two black female athletes to have represented South Africa at the Olympic Games since 1992. On second thoughts, I guess it isn’t really surprising after all. How can athletes perform at their best if the national Olympic body refuses to invest in young athletes.

SPRINGBOKS RUGBY

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Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SPLASH IMAGE GALLERY: RUGBY

by IRB www.irb.com

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

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Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SPLASH IMAGE GALLERY: RUGBY

by Henry Kelbrick

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Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SPRINGBOKS RUGBY

the Sprin 12

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SPLASH IMAGE GALLERY: RUGBY

by Henry Kelbrick

ngboks

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SPRINGBOKS RUGBY

the Sprin 14

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SPLASH IMAGE GALLERY: RUGBY

by Henry Kelbrick

ngboks

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

UNLEASH THE BEAST

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SPLASH IMAGE GALLERY: MONSTER ENERGY

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Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

LEWIS HAMILTON

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SPLASH IMAGE GALLERY:MONSTER ENERGY

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Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

VALENTINO ROSSI

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SPLASH IMAGE GALLERY: MONSTER ENERGY

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HOW LOW CAN YOU GO

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SPLASH IMAGE GALLERY:MONSTER ENERGY

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Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

MONSTER ENERGY GIRLS

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SPLASH IMAGE GALLERY: MONSTER ENERGY

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Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

DOWNHILL

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SPLASH IMAGE GALLERY: MONSTER ENERGY

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Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Michael Kok MX1

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SPLASH IMAGE GALLERY: MONSTER ENERGY

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Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

HandrĂŠ Pollard The fairy tale rising star

Handre Pollard By Kobus Pretorius | Photos by IRB, www.irb.com

His rise through the ranks of South African rugby has played out almost like a fairy tale, with very few hiccups along the way. In fact, after a strong performance as both captain and player of the Junior Springboks in New Zealand, 20-yearold fly half HandrĂŠ Pollard has just been included in the Springbok squad for their last test of the incoming tour against Scotland in Port Elizabeth. Pollard led the Baby Boks with distinction at the Junior World Championship which ended on Friday 20 June when the Junior Boks lost the final 20-21 to defending champions England. Although South Africa lost, Pollard was named the IRB Junior Player of the Year for 2014 after his standout performances in New Zealand.

the fairy tale risING STAR

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Cover Story Athlete Feature: Rugby

He was still on the plane back to South Africa, a 40-hour marathon of travelling, when it was announced that Pollard would join the rest of the Springbok squad in Port Elizabeth.

“I’ve always rated Handré very highly and with Morné (Steyn) returning to France and Johan Goosen struggling with a knee injury, we decided to bring him in,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.

Pollard was born in Somerset West in the Western Cape in 1994. He attended the famous Paarl Gymnasium where he was part of the first team’s inter-school triumphs against Paarl Boys High in both 2011 and 2012. Handré made news in late 2012 when he was brought into the Junior Springbok fold by coach Dawie Theron after their campaign in the Junior World Championship on home soil in Cape Town was already underway.

Pollard, a Grade 12 pupil at Paarl Gymnasium at the time, was brought in to replace Johan Goosen who had injured his shoulder and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament. He went on to play a pivotal role in the rest of the tournament, including a match-winning performance in the final against New Zealand which the Baby Boks won 22-16. In fact, Pollard, in three Junior World Championship tournaments including 2012, has never lost to the Baby All Blacks in all of four games. He received a lot of media attention after the tournament in 2012 when it emerged that he had signed a contract with the Blue Bulls to further his career after school in Pretoria.

SIDEBAR Handré Pollard on winning the IRB Junior Player of the Year award: Pollard was only the second South African to win the Award after Jan Serfontein, his teammate, when the Junior Springboks won the Junior World Championship title on home soil in 2012. The 20-year-old edged out England wing Nathan Earle, Ireland centre Garry Ringrose and New Zealand wing Tevita Li following a comprehensive voting system. Pollard dedicated his award to his teammates: “Absolutely, it is a big honour for me and all the credit goes to my teammates. I think you can’t do anything in rugby without your teammates and that’s the beauty of it, it’s such a team sport and these group of guys were so amazing. We fought for the jersey and we fought for pride and that’s what rugby is about for me.”

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Handré Pollard The fairy tale rising star

Western Province received a lot of criticism in the media for letting Pollard slip through their fingers and joining a rival union. The move, however, has proved a good one for Pollard. He made his Super Rugby debut earlier this season and was busy establishing himself as the number one fly half in Pretoria before the international break intervened and he went off on Junior Springbok duty. When the Super Rugby season continues in July, he is sure to face stiff competition from Jacques-Louis Potgieter for the number 10 jersey. Potgieter returned from France and rejoined the Bulls and showed that he is a much more rounded player after his stint overseas. His performances have earned him a new contract at the union where he will be Pollard’s biggest rival.

There is, however, little doubt that Pollard is the future of South African rugby and if he proves himself with the Springboks, assuming he gets enough game time, he may form part of Meyer’s plans for next year’s World Cup.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Cover Story Athlete Feature: Rugby

“The entire team is extremely proud of Handré for making the Bok squad,” says Theron.

“I think back to 2012 and how we had to negotiate to get Handré in the squad – it was crazy! I went to watch him play at Craven Week trials. What an incredible milestone.” “Handré was a wonderful captain with great leadership qualities. Heyneke has already showed confidence in him by including him in the squad. I believe 100% that Handré will be able to make the step up to international rugby.” “In physical terms he’s big enough; he has all the attributes needed to become a big player for South Africa. But he still has to go and do it. He has been given the opportunity and he needs to prove that he is ready,” says Theron. Pollard himself didn›t want to comment on his Springbok inclusion just yet, hoping to maintain a low profile during his time with the Boks. He was cast into the limelight since he was very young, and that attention will intensify as he grows older and establishes himself as one of the best fly halves in the world.

SIDEBAR Road to the final: Group Stages

Semi-finals

South Africa

Scotland

South Africa

New Zealand

South Africa

Samoa

South Africa

New Zealand

Final South Africa

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Handré Pollard The fairy tale rising star

SIDEBAR Dawie Theron on the Junior World Championship journey: “The squad showed the future of South African rugby looks bright. Aside from the 21-20 loss to England, the Junior Boks can look back on an outstanding 2014. We achieved a first-ever whitewash, 3-0 series win over the difficult Argentina Under-20 side,” Theron tells Game On. “One of the things that definitely worked out well for us was the fact that we shared the same hotel with the Kiwis during the three-week long tournament. The players could deal with them face-to-face every day, and the maturity with which the guys handled it, is commendable.” “We are all friends off the field anyway in rugby, and it was probably two of the most titanic battles ever fought at junior level – against New Zealand in New Zealand and with all that backing that they had. I was just so proud of the guys,” said Theron. “The two matches against New Zealand plus the bruising encounter against Samoa eventually took its toll on the team in the exhausting final clash.” “The matches against NZ were must-win situations, and then there was the final against a good English side. Perhaps it was the mental fatigue, and we didn’t show the same patience that we did against NZ. We lost a vital ball that we knocked-on from an attacking scrum and if we had to score there, then it was 17-3 for us and it would’ve been a different ball-game. Handré Pollard also tried his best and just missed with two drop goals. However, a final is a final, and it brings other things to the table.”

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

According to Theron, everyone in the Junior Boks set-up is immensely proud of the achievements of the captain, Pollard. He became the highest pointscorer in the history of the JWC. “Handré is just getting better and the whole team is unbelievably proud of him,” explains Theron. Although we did not in the tournament, it was just a great experience for him with his teammates. The guys had an unbelievable spirit and I don’t think they’ll ever forget each other,” said Theron.

Cover Story Athlete Feature: Rugby

Theron says nine players of his current squad are eligible again for the next JWC in 2015 in Italy. They include the Du Preez twins, Dan and JeanLuc, Joseph Dweba and the highly rated Western Province duo of Jacques Vermeulen and JD Schickerling. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Overall, we lost one of nine matches this year. Unfortunately, that was during the JWC final and it was by a single point against the defending world champions. Although we just fell short of our goal, South Africans can be very proud of the effort, conduct and commitment of these youngsters.â&#x20AC;?

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SCHALK BURGER UNBREAKABLE

UNBREAKABLE:

SCHALK BURGER By Kobus Pretorius

Springbok flank Schalk Burger has twice been written off in a rugby career that spans more than a decade, but there is seemingly nothing that can stop him from playing the game he loves. The scepticism that surrounded Burger’s possible comeback from a sickbed that could easily have killed him was so widespread that we could easily have been referring to him now as ‘former Springbok and Stormers flank Schalk Burger’. But Burger has persevered through the darkest moments not only of his career, but of his life as well. He made his long-awaited comeback in last year’s Currie Cup against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, 18 months after the initial knee injury that he suffered during the game against the Hurricanes at Newlands in February 2012. Burger completed the circle when Heyneke Meyer included him in his Springbok squad for the incoming home series against Wales and Scotland. Burger played 20 minutes against the World XV in Cape Town on June 7, before making his official comeback in the Springbok jersey in the first test against Wales at Kings Park in Durban where he came off the bench in the 38-16 victory.

Photos: BackPage Media Henry Kelbrick

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: RUGBY

“The knee injury I had in 2012 didn’t really threaten my career, but it was a big knee injury. The fear with the knee injury was that it would take me a while to get back to my best and play good rugby again,” Burger recalls.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SCHALK BURGER UNBREAKABLE

This was not the first time that injury put a spanner in the works for Burger. He suffered his first potential careerending injury in 2006 when he injured his neck in the Springboks 29-15 victory over Scotland in June of that year. The injury required cervical fusion surgery which resulted in fears that he may never play rugby again. The operation was, however, successful, and was followed by a lengthy rehabilitation period. Burger made his comeback for the Springboks in May 2007 and scored a try in South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 58-10 victory over England. Fast forward to 2012. Burger injures his knee in the Stormersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; opening Super Rugby game of the season against the Hurricanes. The initial prognosis at the time was that Burger would be sidelined between four and six weeks with a torn ligament. He eventually missed the entire 2012 rugby season. Burger had a further setback at the beginning of 2013 when he strained his calf muscle while doing pre-season training with the Stormers. He had an operation to reduce pressure on a nerve that was influencing the performance of his calf muscle when it was discovered that it was connected with a cyst in his back next to his spinal cord. 38

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: RUGBY

SIDE BAR How much sleep do you get having two young children in the house? (Laughs). Less than what I used to in the old days. Both kids are pretty chilled. The youngest one is only two months old so he keeps us up some nights, but the oldest is a good sleeper so we are pretty fortunate there.

Any advice for men becoming fathers soon? Enjoy your life. Make every moment count because when you become a dad you’ll be needed at home. I think what you miss the most is your social life and spending time with friends. You spend a lot of time at home which is very nice and a wonderful experience. I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world. However you can no longer do things on the spur of the moment. In the old days you used to just get in the car and have a good time with friends at short notice. Nowadays everything is a bit more planned.

Favourite team at school: Western Province, The Springboks.

Favourite player at school: Zinzan Brooke

Favourite book: Car magazine

First car: 88 Silver 1.8l Avant Station Wagon

Dream car: Driving it at the moment. A Range Rover Sport.

Favourite music: Rock, Alternative. Counting Crows when I was in high school. If you were not a rugby player. . .: Hopefully sports. Maybe a cricket player.

Favourite holiday destination: Yzerfontein on the West Coast.

Most difficult flank you have played against: At international level it’s George Smith and Richie McCaw.

How many times a week do you braai: At least twice a week.

Most talented up and coming player at the Stormers: Damian de Allende.

Favourite meat to braai: I’m actually a bit of a pork man.

Most underrated player at the Stormers: Deon Fourie.

Favourite side dish: Braaibroodjie.

Most romantic thing you have ever done: Proposing to my wife at the One and Only.

Burger picked up a hospital bug during an operation to relieve the pressure by draining the cyst which led to him contracting bacterial meningitis. This is how he described his ordeal at the time in a statement to the media: “There was a critical stage for about four, nearly five days in which there was a lot of uncertainty. Obviously through that period I was in isolation and I was seriously ill … so ill in fact, that some people around me thought, ‘This is it’.” “My neck injury in 2006 was scary,” recalls Burger. “It could have ended my career. There was a big fear that I wouldn’t be able to play rugby again. I was still young at the time and in the prime of my life. It was a long injury but I managed to recover and continue my career.

“Big guys like me usually lose a bit of mobility after a knee injury like that, but I always knew that I would play rugby again.” Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SCHALK BURGER UNBREAKABLE

However, the calf strain together with the cyst pressing against his spinal cord changed things dramatically for Schalk. “The bacterial meningitis was a curve ball,” admits Burger. “I almost died. I spent two months in hospital and another month at home. You have to hang on. There was a stage when it started getting the better of me and that’s when you start to wonder and doubt yourself. “I feared for my life. It also put my life into perspective. Rugby was the biggest and most important thing in my life, but when you’re lying there you just wish you can recover sufficiently to have a good quality of life. I have a young family and a wife - I hung on and survived for them.” Burger says the scariest part of the whole ordeal was the unknown.

“Am I going to be blind or deaf or maybe even paralysed? Or am I going to have a normal life again. That is the stuff that’s going through your head. Anything could have happened to me. The possibilities were endless.” Burger made his second comeback last year against the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup and although he has struggled with some niggling injuries since then, he managed to play some Super Rugby for the Stormers this season. During this time Burger has put in some stellar performances which convinced Heyneke Meyer to include him in the Springboks training group for the first time since the quarterfinal of the 2011 World Cup. Burger seems unbreakable. He laughs. “I think my history proves I’m not unbreakable. I played a lot of rugby and sometimes you get to a point where you almost feel immortal, because your body take so many big hits all the time and you get through and just move forward.”

“If you get to where I am now having had some big, serious injuries, then you realise that you’re just human. I am definitely mortal.”

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: RUGBY

SIDE BAR Schalk has recently announced that he has signed a two-year contract with Japanese club, Suntory Sungoliath, but he will continue to be available to play for the Stormers. Burger will link up with his new club in August and will therefore not feature for Western Province in the 2014 Absa Currie Cup, but he will return to Cape Town for the 2015 Vodacom Super Rugby season. Thirty-one-year-old Burger played his first senior match for DHL WP in 2003 (against the Mighty Elephants), boasting a total of 37 caps for Province. He has also played 95 matches for the Stormers since his Super Rugby debut against the Waratahs in 2004. The most-capped Springbok flank of all time, Burger has 70 Springbok caps to his name and was part of the Tri-Nations winning teams of 2004 and 2009, as well as playing a pivotal role in South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2007 Rugby World Cup triumph. Burger was voted the IRB World Player of the Year in 2004 and the SA Rugby Player of the Year in 2004 and 2011.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

High School Rugby World Top 20

TOP 20 1. Grey College

Free State

2. Paul Roos Gymnasium

Western Cape

3. Garfontein High School

Gauteng

4. Paarl Boys’ High School

Western Cape

5. Monument High School

Gauteng

6. Glenwood High School

Kwa Zulu-Natal

7. HTS Middleburg

Mpumalanga

8. Paarl Gimnasium

Western Cape

9. Dr EG Jansen High School

Gauteng

10. Waterkloof High School

Gauteng

11. Selbourne College

Eastern Cape

12. Maritzburg College

Kwa Zulu-Natal

13. Wynberg Boys’ High School

Western Cape

14. Grey High School

Eastern Cape

15. Outeniqua High School

Eastern Cape

16. Oakdale High School

Western Cape

17. Bishops Diocesan College

Western Cape

18. Menlopark High School

Gauteng

19. Dale College

Eastern Cape

20. Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool

Gauteng

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

SEE PAGE 47 FOR SCHOOL PROFILE

Coaching SPORTING FEATURE: Sevens Rugby

Neil Powell By Kobus Pretorius | Photos by Backpage Media

Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell had a successful first season in charge of the Blitzboks, proving that he is the right man to take the team forward. Powell took control of the reins as head coach of the Springbok Sevens when the 2013/14 season started in October last year. His immediate aim was to instil a good level of consistency, and to reach the semi-final of each of the nine World Series tournaments. Although the Blitzboks didn’t reach the semi-final of each tournament, there was a great deal of consistency in the middle of the series where South Africa reached five Cup finals in a row - winning the tournaments in Port Elizabeth and Las Vegas. Things went pear shaped in the last three tournaments when Powell’s men failed to reach the Cup semis, but they finished relatively strongly by winning the Plate in the last tournament of the season in England. In the end, New Zealand won their fourth consecutive series quite comfortably. South Africa ended up in second place.

★★★★★★★ The Commonwealth Games sevens tournament takes place from 22-23 July, 2014

“We had a good start,” says Powell. “We reached our goals in the first six tournaments, but didn’t go that well in the last three tournaments.” The Blitzboks lost against New Zealand in the Cup quarter-finals in London, but went on to beat Kenya, their previous coach Paul Treu’s team, in the Plate final by 38-14.

45 GAMES. 16 TEAMS. 1 GOLD.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Neil Powell Sevens Rugby Coach

“We always knew beating New Zealand in the quarters was going to be tough. If we look back at it now we’ll see there were chances in that game that we missed. That’s one of the things we need to focus on. You don’t want to get into a situation where you almost lose to yourself,” Powell told Game On. “Generally speaking I am not pleased with our second place. I think as South Africans we will never be satisfied with second place, but for my first season in charge it didn’t go too badly,” says Powell. Five Cup finals in a row is an impressive feat and it is this type of consistency that the team will need to maintain throughout the whole season if they want to dethrone New Zealand.

“We were maybe too focused on the series and the leader board in the last three tournaments instead of focusing on our processes and how to close out games.” “That was the turning point of our season. It’s also a big learning curve for me as a coach. It’s definitely something I will improve on as we go forward.”

Side Bar Schalk Brits on his inclusion in the Springbok Sevens team: “To play for South Africa on any level is a massive privilege. I’m very much looking forward to wearing the Blitzboks jersey at the Commonwealth Games.” “I have always enjoyed running with the ball and in sevens there’s more space on the field to attack from. The Springbok Sevens team was very good this year and I’m looking forward to working with them. It will take some time to get used to the new format, but I’m relishing the challenge. I have been playing rugby for a long time and this is going to be something different. I can’t wait.”

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Coaching SPORTING FEATURE: Sevens Rugby

Powell also lost key players towards the latter part of the season after several regulars such as Kyle Brown and Cecil Afrika were ruled out of action due to injury. Stephan Dippenaar also joined the casualty list in Glasgow, forcing Powell to call on rookie Shaun Adendorff and the relatively inexperienced WJ Strydom to plug the gaps. Mark Richards was also thrown into the fray, having last played for the Springbok Sevens at the Gold Coast tournament last October.

“The younger, more inexperienced players showed they can compete against teams like Scotland and Kenya, but you need those experienced players like Kyle and Cecil when you face teams like New Zealand and Fiji,” Powell notes. “Biggest lesson: The work that goes in behind the scenes. As a player I never knew there was so much going on, but it is something I have enjoyed. We have a great group of players.”

“I have always said you can’t use the same plan at every tournament; you need to approach each one differently. We will also have to look at how we play New Zealand. We’ll have to move away from their strengths and focus more on what suits us.” “We’ll have a good look at the footage of when we played against them to see how they play against us when they beat us and vice versa.” Probably the biggest highlight of the Blitzboks season was winning the home leg of the series in Port Elizabeth by beating New Zealand in the final. Their victory at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium was a chilling and special tribute to former president Nelson Mandela who passed away just three days earlier. South Africa came from 0-14 behind in the final in front of 30 000 fans to clinch the match 17-14 and win their first of

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Neil Powell Sevens Rugby Coach

two tournaments in the series. It was the first time since 2008 that the Blitzboks managed to win their home Sevens tournament. Powell’s next assignment is the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow at the end of July. His biggest focus now is to improve the depth of his squad and to make members more competitive next season.

“The injuries to our regulars were unfortunate and part of the game. On the plus side, it did give us a chance to give players such as Shaun Adendorff, WJ Strydom and Mark Richards more game time. I am sure they benefited a lot from playing in Glasgow and London.” “However, we will have to increase the strength and depth of our squad because next season will be an important one as we look to qualify for 2016 Olympics,” says Powell. He also praised the impact of speedster Seabelo Senatla, after the dangerous wing was crowned top scorer in Las Vegas and London, following his long injury lay-off. Senatla was close to his best at Twickenham and was the top points and try scorer after dotting 13 tries.

“Seabelo made a huge impact after his return to action and he was really hungry to play after missing the first part of the season due to a back injury. Justin Geduld also deserves credit for his consistency throughout the season.” Geduld was included in the World Series dream team after a string of powerful performances for the Springbok Sevens at London and in several other events. Powell admitted it was strange playing against Kenya knowing they are coached by Treu.

“The first two times we played against them it felt weird, but we realised we needed to approach them like any other team.”

Side Bar Blitzboks squad for the Commonwealth Games 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Chris Dry Schalk Brits Frankie Horne Kyle Brown Branco du Preez Cheslin Kolbe Justin Geduld Cecil Afrika Bryan Habana Seabelo Senatla Cornal Hendricks Warren Whitley.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

The final World Series standings: 1. New Zealand – 180 points 2. South Africa – 152 3. Fiji – 144 4. England – 134 5. Australia – 116

GREY HIGH SCHOOL

776kg games played:

16 wins:

12 current rank:

15th

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

2014 FIFA World Cup™ AN EYE ON AFRICA

AN EYE ON AFRICA Cote d’Ivoire Ivory Coast qualified for the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time in 2006 and have since managed to qualify for the 2010 edition in South Africa before booking their place for this year’s showpiece in Brazil. They failed to go past the group stage on two occasions and hope to be third-time-lucky this time around. The Elephants are led by a young coach in Sabri Lamouchi but he will have the privilege of selecting a squad that is filled with experienced players who have starred in Europe.

Players to watch: Yaya Toure (Manchester City), Didier Drogba (Galatasaray), Gervinho (Roma).

World Cup highlights: The Elephants lost their first two matches during the 2006 World Cup but ended their campaign on a positive note as they came back from 2-0 down to register a 3-2 win over Serbia and Montenegro with Aruna Dindane grabbing a brace. They also defeated North Korea 3-0 in their third group game at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ but still finished in third place. 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Opponents (Group C): Colombia, Greece, Japan

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING PROFILES: SOCCER

IN THE 2014 FIFA World Cup™ By Graeme Jackson | Photos by Backpage Media

Cameroon Cameroon qualified for six FIFA World Cup™ series with their first appearance coming at the 1982 edition in Spain. The Indomitable Lions returned to the big stage in 1990 and made headlines as they reached the quarter-final stage, becoming the first African country to do so. Since then, they have failed to go past the group stage in 1994, 1998 and 2002 before failing to qualify in 2006. The 2010 World Cup was a disappointing showing as they finished at the bottom of their group following three losses. Coach Volker Finke will be hoping for a much better showing this time around although they are in a tough group which includes the host country.

Players to Watch: Samuel Eto’o (Chelsea), Alex Song (Barcelona), Stephane M’Bia (Sevilla).

World Cup Highlights: Cameroon stunned the entire world at the 1990 World Cup when they defeated then defending champions Argentina 1-0 in the group match. They also defeated Colombia 2-1 in a last 16 encounter with Roger Milla scoring a brace. The veteran striker still holds the record of being the oldest scorer in a FIFA World Cup™ after finding the back of the net against Russia during the 1994 World Cup at the age of 42. 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Opponents (Group A): Brazil, Croatia, Mexico

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

2014 FIFA World Cup™ AN EYE ON AFRICA

Algeria Algeria have qualified for two FIFA World Cup™ tournaments, making their first appearance at the 1982 edition in Spain and then at 1986 edition in Mexico before beating North African rivals Egypt in a playoff to book their place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. They narrowly missed out on qualifying for the knockout stage in 1982 as they were tied on for points with West Germany and Austria, who played for a safe result in their final clash after the North Africans had played their last game a day before. The Fennec Foxes had a surprisingly young side in 2010 and coach Vahid Halilhodzic will be hoping that those players have matured in the past four years as a number of them have been retained for the trip to Brazil.

Players to Watch: Madjid Bougherra (Lekhwiya), Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia), Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon)

World Cup highlights: Algeria caused a big upset in their debut match at the 1982 World Cup when they defeated West Germany 2-1. Rabah Madjer’s strike was cancelled by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge before Lakhdar Belloumi scored the winner midway through the second half. 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Opponents (Group H): Belgium, Russia, South Korea

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING PROFILES: SOCCER

AN EYE ON AFRICA IN THE 2014 FIFA World Cupâ&#x201E;˘

Ghana Ghana made their debut at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and also qualified for the 2010 edition of the tournament in South Africa. The Black Stars reached the last 16 stage in 2006 and went a step further in 2010 as they became the third African country to reach the quarter-finals after Cameroon and Senegal. Coach Kwesi Appiah will lead a strong squad that is made up of players who carried the team in 2010 and some new players who will be looking to make their own World Cup history.

Players to Watch: Michael Essien (AC Milan), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus), Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain)

World Cup highlights: After losing to Italy in their opening group match in 2006, they went on to beat the Czech Republic and the United States to reach the round of 16, where they fell to Brazil. Four years later, they progressed from the group stage and beat USA in the last 16 before losing to Uruguay in the quarter-finals. 2014 FIFA World Cupâ&#x201E;˘ Opponents (Group G): Germany, Portugal, United States

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

2014 FIFA World Cup™ AN EYE ON AFRICA

AN EYE ON AFRICA IN THE 2014 FIFA World Cup™

Nigeria Nigerian appeared in four FIFA World Cup™ tournaments, making their debut at the 1994 World Cup in the United States before qualifying for the 1994, 2002 and 2010 tournaments. The Super Eagles reached the last 16 stage in 1994 and 1996 but their last two appearances have seen them crashing out of the group stage. Coach Stephen Keshi will take a confident team to the World Cup as they are the reigning champions of Africa after winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, while they also had the opportunity of taking part in the Confederations Cup in Brazil late last year.

Players to Watch: Efe Ambrose (Celtic), Mikel John Obi (Chelsea), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce).

World Cup highlights: Nigeria were the surprise package at the 1994 World Cup as they finished on top of their group ahead of Argentina, Bulgaria and Greece before going down to Italy in the last 16. Four years later, they came back twice to beat Spain 3-2 in a group match with Sunday Oliseh scoring the winner from 25 yards out. 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Opponents (Group F): Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

R U O NU Y ’S

WHA

R? BE

2014 fifa world cup™ special: SOCCER

THE WORLD CUP IN NUMBERS Compiled by BackpageTxt

With the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ under way, here is an interesting look at the big showdown in Brazil.

1 5 8

11 12

The 2014 FIFA World Cup™ will mark the first time that the tournament is staged successively in the Southern Hemisphere (as the 2010 event was hosted in South Africa). It will also be the first World Cup to use goal-line technology. Brazil boasts five World Cup titles, more than any other nation. They won the tournament in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. The number of teams that appeared at the 2010 World Cup but did not qualify for the 2014 event: South Africa, North Korea, New Zealand, Paraguay, Denmark, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia. Three players: Belize’s Deon McCauley, Netherlands’ Robin van Persie and Uruguay’s Luis Suarez shared the honours of being the top goal scorer during the qualifying tournaments for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ . They each scored 11 goals. The number of cities that will be hosting matches during the 2014 Fifa World Cup™: Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Salvador, Recife, Cuiaba, Manaus, Natal and Curitiba.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

2014 FIFA World Cup™ IN NUMBERS WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER?

13 20 32 36 77

Europe will be the best represented continental zone at the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ with 13 qualifiers. South America has six, Africa five and there is four apiece for Asia and the Americas and Caribbean. The 2014 tournament will be the 20th edition of the World Cup and the second time it is hosted in Brazil. The number of days over which the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ will take place: 12 June to 13 July. Thirty-two is also the number of competing teams at the tournament, and Uruguay, who reached the semifinals in 2010, were the 32nd and last to qualify, defeating Jordan in an intercontinental playoff in November 2013. Germany and New Caledonia were the highest-scoring teams through the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers, each netting 36 goals. The record number of goals that the legendary Pele scored in his time with the Brazilian national team.

820

The number of qualifiers played for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ , according to FIFA’s official statistics. Those matches produced 2303 goals at an average of 2.8 per game.

1822

The year in which Brazil achieved independence from Portugal. It became a republic in 1889 and its current constitution, in which the country is defined as a federal republic, was formulated in 1988.

1950

The year in which Brazil first hosted the World Cup. Uruguay won the tournament after defeating the home nation 2-1 in the deciding match of the final four-team group. It was the only World Cup not decided by a one-match final.

1962 2002 73 531 173 850

Spain will be looking to become the first team since Brazil 1962 to successfully defend their World Cup title. The year in which current Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari led Brazil to their last World Cup title. He was reappointed to the national team hot seat in 2013. The official seating capacity, according to FIFA specifications, of the rebuilt Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, the venue for the final of the 2014 tournament. The official attendance figures of the 1950 World Cup deciding match between Brazil and Uruguay at the original Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. (Two hundred and one million) The latest estimate for the Brazilian

201 000 000 population, making it the fifth most populous country on earth.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Marcos Passos (Courtesy of the Brazilian Government)

2014 fifa world cupâ&#x201E;˘ special: SOCCER

US$ 3 500 000 000 (Three and a half billion) The estimated cost, in US dollars, of rebuilding or refurbishing the 12 stadiums which will be used during the 2014 FIFA World Cupâ&#x201E;˘.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

TUKS The SPOTLIGHT’S ON CRICKET

By Wilhelm de Swardt Veni, Vidi, Vici. In English these famous words by Julius Caesar mean ‘I came, I saw, I conquered’. The phrase is said to come from a letter, written around 46 BC by Caesar to the Roman Senate after having achieved a short but conclusive victory in the city of Zela. Now, more than 2000 years later, these famous words seem to be applicable to the Tuks cricket team and the way they are currently dominating club cricket. Apparently the ‘Tuks Boytjies’ don’t know the meaning of the word ‘defeat’. Their never-say-die attitude compels their coach, Pierre de Bruyn, to use the word ‘unbelievable’ when talking about his team’s success, and who can blame him for doing so. Over the past four years the Tuks First XI have won 17 trophies. They were National Club Champions (three times); SA Universities Champions (two times); they won Northerns Premier League (four times) and were One Day champions, as well as winners of the T20 League. Tuks won 18 games on the trot at the National Club Championships and their performance in the Premier League, where they have lost only once in 90 games, is equally impressive.

SPOTLIGHT ON 56

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: CRICKET

Photos: Provided

TUKS CRICKET Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

TUKS The SPOTLIGHT’S ON CRICKET

It’s clear why De Bruyn can find no better word than ‘unbelievable’ to describe his team’s performance. In England next month, when they will represent South Africa at the Red Bull Campus Cricket World Finals, Tuks will face their toughest challenge so far. University teams from eight countries will be competing in the T20 and the semi-finals and final will be played on the famous Oval.

Naturally De Bruyn wants his team to win. De Bruyn’s passion and commitment to the game is certainly no surprise. Ever since he first picked up a cricket bat and bowled his first delivery he was totally committed to the game. As a professional player he compensated for his lack of talent with pure guts and determination. When he played for the Titans and Dolphins it was often De Bruyn who stepped up to the plate to turn a game around when it mattered most.

In 91 first-class games he scored 4639 runs at an average of 37 and took 108 wickets at an average of 29.63. His highest score was 202 runs and his best bowling performance 6/38. As a coach De Bruyn now strives to obtain the same level of commitment from his players.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: CRICKET

“I don’t know much about the tournament or the quality of the teams that will be competing, but I can assure you that we will be the best-prepared team. I have worked out a comprehensive six-week training programme to make sure that we are. I doubt if any of the other teams will go to the extremes that we are prepared to go in order to become the best in the world.”

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

TUKS The SPOTLIGHT’S ON CRICKET

“In my opinion the success that we are achieving at Tuks Cricket can be attributed to the positive attitude that has been ingrained in each and every player. They really believe that they are capable of achieving anything they set their minds to. Another important aspect of our success is that the players realise that talent alone is not enough to guarantee success. They have to put in the long hard hours,” De Bruyn tells Game On.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: CRICKET

“As a coach I fully realise that each player is an individual. This means that an approach that works for one player will not necessarily work for another. A coach is challenged to know each player well enough to be able to get him to perform at his best. Apart from the goals I have set for the team, I have also set individual goals for each player. My own goal is to find out exactly what each player’s strong and weak points are and how to help him to perform the best he can.” “It is important for me to help talented players to make it to the next level. In other words, I want to help them to play as professionals. This past season alone, seven of our players moved on to play at a higher level. Even if I have to say it myself, this is impressive.”

One of the most important kickbacks for a coach is to know that you were able to make a difference in the life of a player.”

“At the moment we have two players, Aiden Markram (captain/batsman) and Corbin Bosch (fast bowler), who played for the SA Under-19 team that won the World Cup. We also have a few players from previous Under-19 tournaments in the team. I want them to be ready to start playing franchise cricket within two years.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

LAUREN BOOYSEN BOWLED OVER BY THE GAME

BOWLED OVER BY THE GAME LA U R E N

B O O Y S E N

By Karien Jonckheere Lauren Booysen is used to being outnumbered. So much so, in fact, that the 15-year-old Port Elizabeth cricketer doesn’t even notice it anymore. “I’ve been playing cricket with boys all my life and I know what they think of me when I walk onto the cricket field,” said the Woodridge College student. “I’ve learnt that ignoring all their comments and proving them wrong when I bowl my first ball is the best remedy to get them to reconsider their viewpoint. The more I played with boys over the years, the more I’ve forgotten that I’m actually the only girl on the field.” “So, basically, I just hope and encourage more and more girls to start playing cricket so that women’s cricket may also grow.” Booysen has certainly made plenty of boys bite their tongues over the years, having taken five wickets in a match on several occasions – and even eight in one particularly memorable match.

Like many South Africans, Booysen started out playing with her dad and brother in the back yard. “From then, my father put in a request at my primary school, Herbert Hurd, to see if they would allow me to play in the team,” she explained. “There was no girls’ team and I therefore had to try out for the boys’ team. I ended up making the team and from then on I played in the boys’ side for the rest of my primary school career.”

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE:CRICKET

“I couldn’t believe my ears when they called out my name. I was totally stunned, and of course honoured. I couldn’t help myself but start to cry, tears of joy,” she said of making her first national side.

LA U R E N

B O O Y S E N

Photos: Karl Schoemaker

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

LAUREN BOOYSEN BOWLED OVER BY THE GAME

Now she’s in Grade 9 at Woodridge and her career has gone from strength to strength, having made the Eastern Province Under-19 girls’ side at the age of just 11 and then eventually going on to earn South African Under-19 colours at the end of last year.

And it’s not only on the cricket pitch that Booysen has been making her mark. The talented teenager has already represented Eastern Province in hockey and has received several academic accolades at Woodridge as well. “My parents have afforded me the opportunity of going through with the sport and have always supported me along the way. So has my sister. My brother, also a good cricketer, has played cricket with me since I could walk. He has challenged me time and again, and this has only served to make me stronger,” she added. As for what the future may hold, Booysen, who cites AB de Villiers as her role model on the cricket pitch, has one aim in mind: “My ultimate

long-term goal would be to make it on the South African women’s cricket team.” Asked why De Villiers is the man she aims to emulate, Booysen reckons: “I admire him because of the way he is calm and collected, but when the time comes, he plays his role in the team exceptionally well and thinks outside the box, always making it a pleasure to watch him play.”

A BIT LIKE BOOYSEN HERSELF.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE:CRICKET

“I’ve had a few coaches who have guided me really well and taught me things I would have never known otherwise, but I have to give credit to my parents, my sister and my brother,”

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

RICHARD MURRAY TRIATHLON

R I CHA R D M U R R AY Words by Wilhelm de Swartt

Photos Provided

If South African sports fans should have to guess in which three sports South African sportsmen have achieved the greatest success since the beginning of 2014 until the end of May, it can almost be guaranteed that there would not be many correct answers. The answer will certainly have to include both rugby and cricket. The Sharks topped the Super Rugby log and the Proteas were ranked second in test cricket.

The tricky part would be to name a third sport in which South African athletes made their presence felt. It was definitely not soccer and, although many would go for golf, that is also not the correct answer.

The answer is in fact TRIATHLON.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: TRIATHLON

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

RICHARD MURRAY TRIATHLON

At the time of writing Wian Sullwald, by winning the Chengdu event in China, has become only the third South African ever to win a World Cup event in triathlon. The first to do so was Hendrik de Villiers and he was followed by Richard Murray.

But the positions held by the South Africans on the international rankings were even more exciting. At the end of May Murray was ranked fourth on the International Triathlon Union’s points list, Henri Schoeman 11th and Wian Sullwald 29th.

Currently triathlon is probably the only Olympic sport in which three South Africans are ranked among the top 30 in the world.

Murray is certainly one of South Africa’s most underrated sportsmen. He has been ranked among the top ten in the world for the past three years, and is not intimidated when competing alongside Olympic and World Champions.

However, the cruel reality is that if his name should be mentioned to most average South African sports fans the automatic reply would be ‘Richard who?’ This is a great pity because Murray is one of only a few South Africans who can boast that he has been able to beat Olympic and World Champions since 2012.

At this season’s World Triathlon Event in Cape Town he finished fifth, merely 65 s behind the winner and world champion, Javier Gomez (Spain). In Yokohama he placed third, only 29 s behind the Spaniard and then in London he went one better finishing second to Spain’s Mario Mola.

It is his consistency that is impressive. Murray has been finishing among the top ten in World Triathlon events for the past three years, winning in Hamburg in 2012. He is certainly one of the favourites to medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (23 July to 3 August).

It is a well-known fact that Britain’s Brownlee brothers, Alistair and Jonathan, do not like to go ‘mano-a-mano’ with the South African in the 10 km run because there is a real chance that Murray will outrun them. To put matters into perspective, Alistair is the current Olympic champion and Jonathan a former world champion. Murray has beaten both in Yokohama and again in London.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: TRIATHLON

Game On caught up with Murray just before the Cape Town event and put a few questions to him. How old are you and where did you matriculate? “I am 25 (4/01/1989). I matriculated at Fairmont High in Durbanville.”

In what other sports did you participate before becoming a serious triathlete? Did you get provincial colours in any other sport? “I competed in mountain biking and duathlon. I am a two-time Junior Duathlon World Champion and a multiple SA Junior Mountain-bike Champion.”

How old were you when you decided that triathlon was the sport for you? “I decided to focus on Triathlon in 2005. This is my third year as a professional.”

What about triathlon do you enjoy most? “I like the challenge of putting your body through the pain of three sporting disciplines in one race.”

Brag a little bit about your results. “I won the ITU World Series in Hamburg in 2012. I was second at Sydney in 2012, second in San Diego in 2012 as well as finishing third at San Diego in 2012. In 2013 I finished among the top six most of the time and I ended the season ranked in fifth place overall, behind Javier Gomez, Jonathan Brownlee, Alistair Brownlee and Mario Mola.”

AY R R

M D

CHA I

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

RICHARD MURRAY TRIATHLON

You are considered to be one of the strongest runners in international triathlon. What is your opinion of the Brownlee brothers? Which of the two do you think has the edge? “They are actually both quite fast! Running a sub-30 minute 10 km is standard on the World Triathlon Series nowadays. There are a few strong runners on the tour. The Brownlees have done an amazing job for the sport of triathlon. They are superstars already and still very young. I have great respect for both of them and to pick one as the best is very difficult. Alistair is the Olympic Champion, but Jonathan was World Champion in 2012.” Who do you regard as your toughest rival in triathlon? Judging from the recent results Javier Gomez is an awesome athlete. “Javier is a special athlete, but so are the Brownlees. These three men have pretty much dominated the past few seasons. The Spaniard, Mario Mola, is one of the fastest runners out there and we enjoy competing against each other in a sprint! They are all really tough to compete against.”

What are your goals for this year? What do you need to do to improve on your fifth place finish in last year’s World Series? “I want to move forward in the swimming leg by closing the gap to between 15 and 30 seconds behind the lead swimmers in the World Triathlon Series. I really want to keep on improving in my swimming and I will keep on working extra hard on swimming. I want to make the front group in the sprint distance races and I also want to have some progression in my aerodynamics on the bike and overall strength and speed on the run. My other goal is a 29.15 over 10 km (running). I also want to be ranked in the Top 3 in the world at the end of the season.” Lastly, what would you have done if you were not a professional triathlete? “I would probably be a personal trainer or a coach of some sort”

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: Swimming

WISH IT… DREAM IT… DO IT… By Karien Jonckheere Photos Provided

One glance at him on the pool deck tells you a lot about Dylan Bosch. Tattooed on the side of his chest are the words: Wish it, Dream it, Do it.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

DYLAN BOSCH Wish it, Dream it, Do it.

And that’s exactly what SA’s latest butterfly sensation is doing as he works to reach his ultimate goal of Olympic glory – if not in Rio in 2016, then in Tokyo in 2020. Bosch made waves just a few weeks before the SA National Swimming Championships when he shattered one of Olympic legend Michael Phelps’s American records on his way to victory in the 200 yard butterfly at the university championship in the USA, where he is based. And while South Africa’s own Olympic champion Chad le Clos still won the 200 m butterfly at Nationals with relative ease, the hype surrounding that race heralded

WISH IT… DREAM IT… DO IT…

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

an exciting new era for South African swimming, with the possibility of two South Africans on the podium for the event at the Commonwealth Games in July. That’s what Le Clos himself predicted straight after the race anyway.

“I totally agree that we can have two guys on the podium for the 200 fly,” reckoned Bosch. “However, I think we have the depth to get all three South Africans on the podium. That’s if Sebastien (Rousseau) swims the 200 fly, which I think he will.”

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: Swimming

Speaking about his much-vaunted showdown with Le Clos, Bosch added:

“Swimming next to Chad is always a lot of fun and even a learning experience for me. I knew he was going to be very fast. I try to not pay too much attention to the media but I knew there was going to be a lot of hype for the 200 fly. However I just went to Nationals to qualify for the Commonwealth Games and that was my goal.”

As for getting the first of two qualifying times under his belt in that race to book his spot on the team to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Bosch said: “It

was an incredible feeling. I travelled half way across the world to achieve one thing and having done it on the first day was a huge relief and allowed me to just swim the rest of my events and have some fun with it all.”

Bosch has always had plenty of fun with his swimming, having started at the age of 10. “My brother, Cameron, was a very successful swimmer up until about the age of 18. And I honestly started swimming because I wanted to be just like him and I wanted to do everything he did, so I joined in on swimming,” explained Bosch.

The 20-year-old also played rugby and cricket while at Krugersdorp High School, even reaching provincial level, but a move to Crawford College in Sandton in Grade 10 saw his focusing his efforts on the pool. Clearly the decision paid off.

“I think after winning a bronze medal at the Youth Olympic Games in 2010 in the 200 m individual medley I started believing that I could be really good and I started working extremely hard towards my goal.” Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

DYLAN BOSCH Wish it, Dream it, Do it.

Working towards that goal included the move to the USA, with Bosch currently studying sports management at the University of Michigan.

“I think moving to the States has positively affected my swimming career. Back in Jo’burg we didn’t have the ideal facilities to maximise my training, but that changed once I arrived in America. I know I still have a lot to accomplish though.” “I decided on Michigan because it’s not only a top-five swimming college but the academic programme is one of the best in the world. I knew I wasn’t going to be swimming the rest of my life and needed a good education for my future,” he said.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

“I would love to continue swimming as a professional. I will try my best to stay at Michigan U and train here with the pro group. I graduate in 2016 so will have to wait till then do to that.” That’s all part of the wish and dream that his tattoo refers to. Asked about its significance, Bosch explained: “It came from a headboard sign that was above my brother’s bed for many years. I’m extremely close to my brother and I would always see it in his room when we were hanging out so it’s something that just stuck with me. We all dream big and that doesn’t change for me.”

Athlete Performance Feature: Athletics

Can South African

sprinters win

a medal at the Rio Olympics? Words by Helen Bayne | Backpage Media

Recent performances by South African sprinters, including the first sub-10 seconds 100 m by Simon Magakwe at the national championships two weeks ago, has prompted many observers to call for a South African 4 x 100 m relay team with the expectation that they would be medal contenders at world events. But before we start counting on the next Olympic track medal, a couple of questions need to be considered. First, how do South African sprinting stocks compare to other countries around the world? Second, what does it take to combine four fast individual sprinters into a successful relay team?

The current standard of South African sprinting There are three current South African 100 m athletes capable of running 10.1 seconds or faster – Simon Magakwe, Akani Simbine and Anaso Jabodwana, two more who can go below 10.2 – Henricho Bruintjies and Roscoe Engel, and several athletes below 10.3 – Emile Erasmus, Gideon Trotter, Thando Roto. This quality and depth is on a par with any other country in the world, apart from the two dominant sprinting forces – Jamaica and USA.

If we look at the combined individual times of the four athletes in some of the top performing teams that competed in the 4 x 100 m relay in the 2013 World Championships (based each athlete’s best individual 100 m time from 2013), this is how things stack up:

2O13 WORLD TOP 4 X 1OO M PERFORMANCES

DQ’d in final*

Jamaica: Carter, Bailey-Cole, Ashmeade, Bolt

39.47

USA: Silmon, Rodgers, Salaam, Gatlin)

39.74

Great Britain: Kilty, Aikines-Aryeetey, Chambers, Ellington)

40.39

Canada: Smellie, Brown, Richards-Kwok, Warner)

40.56

Germany: Jakubczyk, Knipphals, Reus, Keller)

40.55

*Great Britain athletes are the team that ran the heats, as GB was disqualified in the final

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Helen Payne Can South African sprinters win a medal at the Rio Olympics?

TOP 4 SOUTH AFRICAN 1OO M PERFORMANCES

Simon Magakw e

A kani S i mbi n e

Anaso Jabodwa n a

H E N R I CH O B ru i n t j i e s

9.98

10.02

10.10

10.17

The fastest four South African 100 m athletes – Magakwe (9.98), Simbine (10.02), Jabodwana (10.10) and Bruintjies (10.17) would produce a combined time of 40.27 – the third fastest behind Jamaica and the USA. Magakwe, Simbine and Bruintjies ran these individual times at high altitude (Pretoria – 1 300 m above sea level), so if an altitude correction of 0.04 seconds was applied to

each of these, the combined time for “team South Africa” would be 40.39, and still comfortably in the top four in the world.

On paper then, South Africa does have the athletes to contend for a 4 x 100 m relay medal on the world stage.

Creating a relay team out of four individuals Of course, even the four fastest men in the world don’t make a relay team if the baton doesn’t make it around the track. The margin for error at the elite level is so small, that efficient change-overs are essential to successful performance.

equated to a combined total of 39.21 prior to or during the Olympics. In other words, their relay time when they broke the world record was 2.37 seconds faster than their combined individual times on current form.

The 4 x 100 m relay world record of 36.84 was set by Jamaica in the final of the 2012 Olympic Games. Nester Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt had run individual 100 m times that

By the same calculation, the 2013 World Championships 4 x 100 m performances unfolded as follows:

Official Time

Combined Time of Individual Athletes

Difference (Seconds)

Difference (%)

Jamaica

37.36

39.47

2.11

5.35%

USA

37.66

39.74

2.08

5.23%

Canada

37.92

40.56

2.64

6.51%

Germany

38.04

40.55

2.51

6.19%

Great Britain

38.12

40.39

2.27

5.62%

Team

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Athlete Performance Feature: Athletics

Although this calculation is not a perfect science (for example, we don’t know if each individual athlete has run their individual leg in the same time as their best individual 100 m time), it does give a general indication that the top 4 x 100 m teams complete the relay in at least 2 seconds less than the best combined individual 100 m times of their team members.

Based on recent World Championships and Olympic Games, the 4 x 100 m relay needs to run the heat in under 38.4 seconds in order to qualify for a final. Magakwe, Simbine, Jabodwana and Bruinjites – with a combined individual time of 40.39 seconds, as described above – are capable of this time IF their relay is at least 2 seconds faster than this combined time. Then, IF their relay is more than 2.5 seconds faster than their combined time, we are looking at a sub-38 second performance, which would be a medal contender.

For the relay, a squad of at least 6 sprinters should be identified, their strengths and weaknesses assessed, combinations tested, performances analysed, and change-overs practised. The psychological aspect is vital as the pressure of performing for your team is very different to the individual pressure that these sprinters are used to. Regular international competition is necessary to learn how to manage these pressure situations. With the inaugural IAAF World Relays held in May this year and scheduled to become an annual event, the level of competition is only going to become more intense in the coming years. The quality and depth of sprinters in South Africa is comparable to anywhere else in the world. There is real potential to put together a 4 x 100 m relay team capable of winning medals on the world stage, inspiring a whole new generation of athletes. However, this will not happen without a structured, strategic approach from governing bodies and financial investment to support the athletes’ preparation.

For South African athletics spectators, perhaps a tangible comparison to these world-class performances is the University of Pretoria (Tuks) 4 x 100 m relay team, which has dominated the Varsity Cup series over recent weeks. The Tuks relay foursome includes two of South Africa’s four fastest sprinters (Akani Simbine and Henricho Bruintjies) as well as Emile Erasmus and Thando Roto. Together, these four athletes have a combined individual time of 40.72 seconds and they posted a relay time of 39.50 seconds at the Varsity Cup event at the University of Johannesburg on the 14th of April. The difference between their combined individual time and their official relay time is therefore 1.22 seconds, or 3%. The Tuks relay team therefore has significant room for improvement in their performance and, if they could complete their change-overs as well as the best international teams, have the potential to post a sub-39 seconds relay time. How does a relay team go from being a very good combination of four fast sprinters (e.g. the Tuks team) to being able to compete with the world’s best? In my opinion, a focused and strategic approach is needed. Sprinting and the 4 x 100 m relay have to be recognised as a priority area for development.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Helen Payne Can South African sprinters win a medal at the Rio Olympics?

South Africa’s First Sub-1O Man

9.98 Words by Helen Bayne

On Saturday 12 April, Simon Magakwe became the first South African athlete to run a “sub-10 ” in the 100 m when he won the SA Senior Championships with a time of 9.98 seconds. The previous record of 10.06 had been set in 1988 and Simon himself had equalled this time in 2012. The weekend’s race had been set up as an exciting prospect thanks to the strong performances of Simon’s rivals in the preceding weeks. After the three semi-finals on Friday evening, the eight finalists lined up as the fastest 100 m field in SA Champs history, with these qualifying times:

Eight fastest 1OO m athletes in SA history Simon Magakwe

Akani Simbine

Henricho Bruintjies

Roscoe Engel

Gideon Trotter

Emile Erasmus

Thando Roto

Lebakeng Sesele

10.07

10.11 (PB)

10.17 (PB)

10.17

10.23 (PB)

10.26

10.27

10.35

(Personal Best) (Personal Best)

(Personal Best)

Spectators and media fully expected the SA record to be broken in the final, and were hopeful that we’d see the first ever sub-10 by a South African sprinter. In a thrilling race, Akani Simbine pushed Magakwe right to the line and both athletes went under the previous national record. Excellent performances in a pressure final also saw Emile Erasmus and Thando Roto (who is just 18 years old) set new personal bests. Final results:

FINAL 1OO m athlete Championship Results Simon Magakwe

Akani Simbine

Emile Erasmus

Henricho Bruintjies

Gideon Trotter

Thando Roto

Lebakeng Sesele

Roscoe Engel

9.98

10.02

10.23

10.24

10.29

10.27

10.35

10.17

(SA Record, PB) (SA Record, PB)

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

(PB)

Athlete Performance Feature: Athletics

Nine hundredths of a second: where were they gained? Magakwe improved his time by 0.09 between the semi-final (10.07) and the final (9.98). Below are his interval split times (in seconds):

Interval Split Times (S): simon magakwe Simon Magakwe

0-20 M

20-40 M

40-60 M

60-100 m

Semi-Final (10.07)

3.06 2.98

1.84 1.84

1.72 1.74

3.45 3.42

Final (9.98)

In the final, Magakwe was 0.08 quicker in the first 20 m than in the semi-final. He “lost” 0.02 between 40-60 m and “gained” 0.03 over the final 40m. Unfortunately the 80 m marking on the track was not clear enough to give a reliable 80 m split. These measurements were taken off of video footage from two cameras at the 30 m and 50 m mark, so there is potential for some error. However, it is quite clear that the improvement in Magakwe’s performance was primarily due to a better start.

How does Simon Magakwe compare to the world’s best sprinters? Usain Bolt currently holds the world record of 9.58 seconds. When he set this record at the World Championships in Berlin in 2009, Tyson Gay placed second in a time of 9.71, Asafa Powell third in 9.84, and Daniel Bailey fourth in 9.93. Here are the splits from that race, alongside Magakwe’s 9.98:

simon magakwe Interval Split Times Compared Athlete Magakwe (9.98) Bailey (9.93) Powell (9.84) Gay (9.71) Bolt (9.58)

0-20 M

20-40 M

40-60 M

60-100 m

2.98 2.92 2.91 2.92 2.89

1.84 1.81 1.80 1.78 1.75

1.74 1.74 1.69 1.69 1.67

3.42 3.45 3.42 3.32 3.27

Despite Magakwe’s improved start in the SA Champs final compared with his semi-final, he is still well behind these top competitors in the first 20 m by between 0.06-0.09 seconds. His 20-40 m split is also 0.03 seconds slower than the 4th placed man (Bailey), and 0.09 seconds slower than Bolt. From 40 m onwards, however, he is right up there with the very best in the world. His performance on Saturday was 0.03 seconds faster than Bailey in the 2009 World Championships between 40-100 m, and was equal to Asafa Powell’s speed after the 60 m mark.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Helen Payne Can South African sprinters win a medal at the Rio Olympics?

The graph below demonstrates the differences in average velocity across each interval split, between Magakwe, Powell and Bolt. The values for Bolt and Magakwe are shown on the graph. Usain Bolt’s ability to accelerate to a top speed that is way faster than his competitors is what sets him apart. Simon Magakwe’s top speed doesn’t rival Bolt’s, but is certainly in the league of any other sprinter. To further improve on his 9.98 then, he will need to improve his start and maintain the speed he currently has at the end of the race. That may be easier said than done, but for now the objective assessment of his performances provides information that will be important in developing his training program in future.

The altitude challenge The SA Champs in Pretoria took place at an altitude of about 1 300 m. For a 10-second 100 m race with no wind, this equates to a 0.04 second advantage. It will therefore be a challenge for Magakwe to go sub-10 again this season while competing in Europe, as he will need to improve his performance just to equal his 9.98 at sea level.

12.23 11.98

11.70

11.43 11.49

11 10.87

VELOCITY (M/S)

6.92

6.71

6 Vel0-20

BOLT

Vel20-40

Vel0-60

POWELL

Vel60-100

MAGAKWE

References “Biomechanics Project – Berlin 2009”http://berlin.iaaf.org/news/kind=101/newsid=52655.html” Mureika, J.R. (2001). A realistic quasi-physical model of the 100 m dash. Canadian Journal of Physics, 79(4):697-713.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Photo by: Dr Henry Kelbrick

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“Selfie” into Prizes WINNER BOARD MANY THANKS TO AWX AND ACTIVO HEALTH FOR SPONSORING THE PRIZES

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Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

WENDA NEL TRUE GRIT

TRUE GRIT WENDA NEL Words by Wilhelm de Swartt | Action Photos: Provided. Posed Photos: Reg Caldecott

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: NAME OF SPORT HERE

If ever a South African female athlete stood a chance of earning a medal in the 400 m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games, it’s Wenda Nel at this year’s Games in Glasgow in July. One cannot help but get excited about her winning time of 54.92 s at the South African Senior Championships in Pretoria. However, the reality is that in sport nothing can ever be taken for granted. As the saying goes, ‘It ain’t over till the fat lady sings’. The Tuks hpc athlete’s time is the third fastest ever by a South African. More importantly, as at the end of May, only Jamaica’s Karliese Spencer (53.97 s) was able to run a faster time.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

WENDA NEL TRUE GRIT

It is interesting to note that at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester Jana Pitman (Australia) won in 54.40 s and in Melbourne (2006) Pitman’s winning time was 53.82 s. However, in Delhi (2010) Spencer’s winning time was only 55.28 s. At all three these Games the silver and bronze medals were won in times varying from 55 s to 56 s. Since 2012 Nel has consistently run times faster than 56 s. Nel will be the first to admit that, come race day at the Games, all these statistics will mean absolutely nothing. Her motto is that at any given time she is only as good as the last time she ran. “At the start of every race the playing field is totally level. As an athlete I have learned that nothing can be taken for granted,” Nel tells Game On. “The goal I set for myself at the beginning of the season was to break 55 s. I was hoping to run a time of about 54.80 s. The fact that I was able to run a time of 54.92 s so early in the season was certainly an unexpected bonus and it would be senseless to try to improve by merely another 0.08 s during the rest of the season. I guess I will have to readjust my goals in a realistic way. There are no guarantees that every race I run from now on will be faster than 55 s, but if I can consistently run times close to 55 during the rest of the season I will be pleased. It will prove to me that I am on track for the 2016 Olympic Games. But I am not giving up on running a really remarkable time before October!” By regaining her South African title in the fastest time of her career, Nel has proven that she is a fighter with the ability to conquer setbacks.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: ATHLETICS

“

I won’t say that it was a very bad year, but I still had to take a step back and evaluate where I was in my athletics career and what my goals were. With the support of my husband, Jacques, I was able to make a few drastic decisions. The most important of these decisions was that I give up my job as a dietician to be able to train more regularly. For the first time I was able to really focus on correcting the small errors in my hurdling technique and to do a proper workout in the gym as well.

“

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

WENDA NEL TRUE GRIT

Last year, for the first time, she was not able to improve on her best time. One of her main disappointments was when she lost at the national championships. During the race, she was involved in a battle of titanic proportions with her friend and training partner, Anneri Ebersohn, when she tripped over the last hurdle. Although Nel managed to get back on her feet and running again in a matter of seconds, she had to settle for second place. Last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best time of 55.80 s did not make the slightest impression on the international athletics arena.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: ATHLETICS

The extra training certainly paid off. Nel is more muscular and she looks like a true international athlete. “I really cannot thank my husband enough for his support,” Nel adds gratefully. “He made it possible for me to try to realise my Olympic dream. I don’t think he fully realised what the implications would be when he told me that he would support my decision to give up my job. He is even prepared to take out an extra loan if it should become necessary from now until the Olympics.” When Hennie Kotze, her coach, was asked whether Nel would be able to go faster he said ‘yes’ without skipping a beat. Some commentators consider Nel’s lack in height as a possible handicap when it comes to being really competitive in international racing. She is 1.65 m tall. “Wenda’s height is not a problem at all. Morocco’s El Moutawakel Nawal won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta in a time of 54.61 s. She is only 1.62 m tall,” Kotze says.

“Wenda compensates for her lack in height with her natural strength and leg speed, as well as her true grit and determination.”

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

KARIN PRINSLOO INSPIRED FROM ON HIGH

INSP KAR

Photos: Reg Caldecott

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: SWIMMING

PIRED FROM ON HIGH: RIN PRINSLOO By Karien Jonckheere

There are two Karin Prinsloos. One is racked with self-doubt and low self confidence. And the other is the latest version. She’s selfassured and poised, secure in her own ability. And she’s fast! The Pretoria swimmer has come in for some criticism over the years for not having what it takes to perform at international level. But a fantastic performance (five medals and three national records) at the Aquatics Super Series in Australia earlier this year silenced those critics very quickly – as did an equally impressive set of results at the SA Swimming Championships in Durban in April.

There the 24-year-old took five national titles. Not only that, but she achieved four qualifying times for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this year – with a podium place there well within reach. Asked what’s brought about the marked change, devout Christian Prinsloo points to her beliefs that have brought about a change in attitude.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

KARIN PRINSLOO INSPIRED FROM ON HIGH

“For me personally, I’ve grown a lot in my spiritual life. I know every swimmer has something. In 2012 I was still so nervous. That happens when you try to swim for people, but then the reality dawned on me of swimming for God and doing my best for Him.” 90

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: SWIMMING

“I just know that He’s going to be satisfied if I give my best. And if I swim badly it doesn’t affect my relationship with Him. I think when you get to that stage, He blesses you because you’re faithful. I think I have so much more confidence because obviously I want to do well, but you can only do so much.” “I feel really happy – we sometimes forget what we’ve been blessed with.” Prinsloo also has a firm belief that everything happens for a reason. And a serious groin injury in 2013 actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise – one which has transformed her into a faster swimmer. “After the world champs I went into rehab for six weeks and I wasn’t able to kick for awhile – I was only able to pull.” “I used to drop my elbow so I wasn’t really getting that pullingmyself-through-the-water action.”

“Obviously you think it’s the worst time of your life, but then in Australia I realised how – God doesn’t send those injuries into your life but He knows maybe that it’s going to happen and He uses it for your best somehow.” “When I swam so well in Australia I realised that I needed that time out to fix my elbow action and so my freestyle is feeling so much better – I’m so much stronger in the freestyle. It’s just nice to see how it all came together,” Prinsloo smiles.

to my times so I am happy and blessed that I was able to do it.” Prinsloo is the youngest of four sisters and began swimming in her home town of Marble Hall, Limpopo when she was six years old. After matriculating from Hoërskool Ben Viljoen, where she also played netball and competed in high jump and shot put, she studied business management at Tuks, where she is currently still based, with coach Igor Omeltchenko to train her.

“Australia was the best meet for me and then at nationals I was just so happy that I was able to swim the same times because I honestly didn’t think I would come close

With such an impressive performance in qualifying for the Commonwealth Games, Prinsloo now faces the happy decision regarding exactly which events she will swim in Glasgow. “I am really enjoying the freestyle at the moment because I feel so powerful. But I think my talent lies in my backstroke so I can’t really say. It makes it difficult because I think I’m going to have to choose for Commonwealths, because I have five events and I don’t think you can do extremely well in five.” Of course, Glasgow is all part of the build-up for the Rio Olympics in two years’ time, where the newly-confident Prinsloo will be aiming to make more of an impact than she did at London 2012, where she made it as far as the semi-final stage in the 200 m backstroke. “I think 2016 will be my last swimming year. Obviously we’ll see after that – depending on how it goes at the Olympics. But for me now I just want to give it everything for 2016 and achieve what I achieve.

Then at least I know I’ve given my all and that’s good enough.”

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

RIKENETTE STEENKAMP HURTLING TOWARDS SUCCESS

HURTLING TOW R I K ENET T E 92

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: ATHLETICS

Anybody who is a serious

athletics fan will know who Sally Pearson is and will in all possibility be in awe of her achievements. And rightly so. Words by Wilhelm de Swartt Action Photos: Provided; Posed Photos: Reg Caldecott

WARDS SUCCESS: S T EE NKA M P Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

RIKENETTE STEENKAMP HURTLING TOWARDS SUCCESS

The Aussie is certainly one of the sport’s modern legends, having won the gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London as well as being the fifth fastest 100 m hurdler of all time. In fact Pearson’s achievements are such that she can honestly lay claim to having been there, done that and got the T-shirt to prove it. She is also a former World Champion, Commonwealth Champion and World Indoor Champion.

So it stands to good reason why Rikenette Steenkamp (Tuks), the South African 100 m hurdles champion, would have pencilled 28 June (Nivelles, Belgium) as a red-letter day in her diary. It is the day she will get the first opportunity to race against her idol. And if her coach, Shaun Bownes, is to be believed that is definitely a ‘wow’ moment for Steenkamp. “She is so motivated. During each training session she will talk about her upcoming race with the hurdles legend and that normally leads to Rikenette pushing herself that little bit harder to try and run to perfection,” Bownes tells Game On.

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

One cannot help wondering whether the 21-year-old will be up to the challenge. Won’t she be totally overawed when she steps onto the track alongside her idol?

Bownes, who himself is a former Commonwealth Champion and South African record holder, is confident that his protégé won’t suffer stage fright on the big night.

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: ATHLETICS

“There comes a time in every athlete’s life when he or she has to decide whether they will be satisfied to always be an ‘also-run’ or do they want to be a champion. There is nothing wrong with hero worship but there is a time and place for it and I think Rikenette realises it.” “When I was competing, Colin Jackson (a former world record holder and 110 m hurdles champion) used to be my idol but the times I got to race against him, we were just two athletes on the track trying to outrun each other. However I will admit that after one race I did go up to him and ask him for his autograph and for photo to be taken of us two! After I beat Colin at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester he teased me about it,” Bownes muses. “Training with Norway’s Isabelle Pedersen (a former Youth and Junior World Champion) was further proof to me that I was on track when it came to running fast times.” Rikenette Steenkamp

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

RIKENETTE STEENKAMP HURTLING TOWARDS SUCCESS

Bownes is not one to make bold predictions but he is a firm believer that magic can happen at the right time, at the right place. As a former athlete himself Bownes sees his role as coach to prevent Rikenette from making the same mistakes he did when training and competing.

“I explained to Colin that it was all a what he has achieved and that is wh ingrain in Rikenette. There is nothing race she should go and ask Sally for I want her to make the most of tha races, as it is an awesome opportunit improve on her best time of 13.17 s.”

“Actually it is so easy to coach her because she so quickly catches on when we are trying something new. What I admire most about her is her dedication, motivation and self belief. Rikenette knows exactly what she wants to achieve as an athlete and is not going to allow anything to come between her and her dreams.”

The way Steenkamp bounced back this season certainly backs up Bowne’s statement. Three years ago while still being a matriculant at Hoërskool Menlopark she amazed everybody by winning the South African Senior, Junior and Schools titles in the 100 m hurdles. Big things were expected of Steenkamp but a grade two hamstring injury brought her athletics career to an abrupt halt. Steenkamp sort of disappeared from the South African athletics scene and it was thought that she might become just another statistic in the group of talented youngsters who never reached their full potential ... but she proved everybody wrong. Steenkamp admits that there were times when she had her doubts as to whether or not she would be good enough to compete at the highest level again. “Luckily I never had a lingering selfdoubt because in the back of my mind I knew I would be able to make a successful comeback, I just had to be patient. I kept on reminding myself that I am still young.” Steenkamp’s performance at the South African Senior Championships in Pretoria was a definite highlight. She won her heat in a time of 13.21 s and then in the final her winning time was 13.17 s. Both her efforts count amongst the ten best of all times in South African athletics. However Steenkamp is realistic. “There is still a lot of hard work to be done before I am really ready to take on the world’s best and beat them. My goal is to be at my best at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.”

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: ATHLETICS

about respect for hat I am trying to wrong if after the an autograph but at 13 s when she ty for Rikenette to

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last year I ran a few races without pressurising myself. I just wanted to get a feel for hurdling again. The turning point came when I ran a time of 13.48 s. That made me realise that if I can stay injury free and put in the long hours I will be able to run times faster than 13.20 s.â&#x20AC;?

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Devon Henson The Future’s Looking Blue

THE FUTURE’S LOOKING BLUE

DEVON HENSON

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: Rugby

THE FUTURE’S LOOKING BLUE Words by Karien Jonckheere | Photos Provided

DEVON HENSON He’s in his school’s first team for both water polo and rugby and has just signed with the Bulls for next year. But things aren’t all smooth sailing for St John’s eighth man Devon Henson. Playing in a tournament at Wynberg a month ago, the 18-year-old injured the carotid artery in his neck and is out of action for the rest of the season.

“I tore my carotid artery in my neck so I’m on blood thinners and stuff and I’m out for six months. It’s very frustrating but I’m allowed to gym so I’m happy with that. I can also run, just no contact,” explained Henson who has been playing the game since he was just six years old.

“I used to live in Australia so I started with my brother’s team. The coach let me go and play with him and then I carried on playing at school when we moved back to South Africa in Grade Two.”

Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

Devon Henson The Future’s Looking Blue

“I played only at school until Grade Eight and then I started playing for a club called Pirates as well.” Henson pointed out that his two main sports, water polo and rugby, aren’t as different as they seem. “Water polo really works your hand-eye coordination, which helps one’s rugby game. And the lung capacity developed in the water sport helps for all-round fitness,” he said. But, unsurprisingly, it’s on the rugby field that Henson sees his future. “Having

signed with the Blue Bulls, I’m going to Tuks next year to study sports science. I’m very excited, keen to see how they play rugby – a change of rugby and a change of style. “Obviously eventually playing for the Springboks is a dream of mine, but I have to go through the steps first. I want to be playing Super 15 in two years’ time and then I’ll have to see after that.” As an eighth man, Henson has looked up to Pierre Spies in the past. But it’s really closer to home that he finds his inspiration.

THE FUTURE’S LOOKING BLUE

DEVON HENSON

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“When I was younger I really looked up to my brother as he was also an eighth man. And my dad is very keen on rugby. He’s been pushing me, helping me, and showing me the way. He was actually at St John’s as well and played back in 1985. He played wing though.” As for advice for younger up-and-coming players who are keen to follow his upward climb through the rugby ranks, that’s seen him playing for the Lions at age group level and also being included in a SARU Under-16 High Performance Programme in 2012, Henson reckons: “Play

and have fun and enjoy what you do because it’s a fun game. Also, talent will only get you so far, you have to work hard.”

It’s that drive to work hard that sees Henson training every day of his life. “I

just always want to be better than everyone else,” he admits. “I want to show what I can do, how I can play, and how I can express myself on the field.”

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: Rugby

DREAM CHASER

Nicholas Zille Words by Karien Jonckheere | Photos Provided

With a surname like his, Nicholas Zille is always likely to attract attention – in South Africa anyway. But it’s on the rugby field that the Grade 11 St John’s student is looking to make a name for himself, separate from his politician aunt. Having reached the first team for the first time this year, the talented fly half is doing just that and it’s a former St John’s star and fellow fly half he cites as his inspiration.

“Demetri Catrakilis came in to talk at the school when I was in Grade Nine. I was very inspired by what he had to say, and that’s motivated me to strive and do well in my rugby,” Zille tells Game On.

“He said that no matter what people say, you must chase your dreams and do whatever it takes to achieve what you want to achieve in life. What he said has stuck with me since then until now. I think it’s something I’ll keep with me for a long time.”

“At the moment I’m not too sure what my future looks like – but it would be great to play rugby and study at the same time and maybe make the Stormers team, or the academy.”

With big plans ahead, it’s incredible to think that Zille only started playing rugby just over three years ago.

Or from varsity possibly go overseas to Europe and probably kick off my rugby career there. It would be cool to play in England or France,”

he explains.

he adds.

“I started in Grade Eight when I came to St John’s. My primary school didn’t have rugby so soccer was my main sport until then,”

“I always watched rugby and my dad was a big fan of rugby so I watched but never played and then in Grade Eight I started playing for the school in the Under-14 side.

For Zille that dream involves eventually studying at UCT, playing varsity rugby and then either joining the Stormers or an overseas club.

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Nicholas Zille Dream Chaser

It was quite difficult in the beginning to switch but I picked it up quite quickly and by Grade Nine I was familiar with everything. I just love the physicality of it and I also think it’s a really fun sport for boys to get into – a lot of running and tackling, and making memories with your friends.” It was as an Under-14 that Zille’s aunt, Helen (his

dad’s sister), first came to watch him play.

“She’s obviously very busy so she can’t come every weekend or anything. We went down to Cape Town on a tour last year as well and she came to watch one of those games. She’s a rugby fan and her sons are also big rugby fans.” No doubt they’ll be keeping an eye on their talented family member and be on hand to cheer him on, should he achieve his Stormers dream.

And if it all goes according to plan, the budding rugby star’s famous aunt may just be the one being asked: “Are you related to Nicholas Zille?”

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DREAM CHASER

Nicholas Zille

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: Athletics

MARIZANNE MINNAAR B o u nd To Excel A F R I K A A N S E H OË R ME ISIE SK OO L Words by Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos by Henry Kelbrick

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Marizanne Minnaar Bound To Excel

WHETHER SHE PLAYS NETBALL OR TAKES PART IN ATHLETICS MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO AFRIKAANSE HOËR MEISIESKOOL’S MARIZANNE MINNAAR. SHE’S BOUND TO EXCEL ANYWAY.

This Grade 12 pupil is vice-captain of the school’s first netball team. The team made it their mission to improve on the record set by the 2010 first team who recorded 100 consecutive victories. As mentioned, Minnaar’s talents are not limited to making matters difficult for her opponents on a netball court. She surprised herself by winning the 400 m at the SA Schools Athletics Championships. But, as they say on television, there is more to come. Minnaar is also pretty accurate with a rifle in hand. She only became aware of this talent when her dad persuaded her to go hunting with him. She has already ‘bagged’ an impala as well as a blue wildebeest.

Being multi-talented can be a mixed blessing ... Minnaar finds it quite problematic to decide what to do, sports-wise, next year. Should she play netball or challenge the stopwatch on the athletics track? “Being part of a netball team, especially when you are playing for Affies, is a wonderful experience because we are more than just a team,” Minnaar explains. “We are also friends who care about each other on and off the court. It is this camaraderie that makes playing netball enjoyable. There is no guarantee that I will ever have an opportunity to play for a team as unique as this again. Therefore, depending on what happens next year I might opt not to play netball but rather do athletics. Because athletics is an individual sport you are in control of when and where you want to train. It is also easier to work towards goals that you set for yourself.” Maritza Coetzee, who coached Minnaar to win the gold medal at the SA Schools Championships, is quietly confident that her protégé has what it takes to succeed in senior athletics but she emphasises that it is a decision that can only be made by Minnaar herself.What is surprising about Minnaar

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ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: Athletics

MINNAAR WAS SLIGHTLY EMBARRASSED WHEN ASKED ABOUT HER HUNTING PROWESS

winning a South African title in hurdles is the fact that, until this year, she was only an average athlete whose season ended after the Inter-High Athletics so that she could start playing netball. This season was the first time that she really committed to athletics. It should be noted that her winning time of 56. s is not at all shabby.Back to netball. A definite highlight for Minnaar was her team’s tour to Australasia. Affies remained unbeaten during the tournaments they played in Australia. In New Zeeland they trained with some of the top players and only played practise matches. According to Minnaar the most important thing she learned on tour was the importance of teamwork.“Teamwork is considered to be very important in Australasia. For them it is all about what you can do to create opportunities for your teammates. Because they believe that any team is only as good as the weakest player, their goal is to help their teammates to shine during the game,” Minnaar tells Game On. Minnaar was slightly embarrassed when asked about her hunting prowess.“My dad has always been a keen hunter. Being a dad of three daughters he had nobody with whom he could share his hunting experiences. One day he and I talked about hunting and it sounded interesting. My dad suggested that I should go hunting with him and that is how it happened that I shot an impala on my 16th birthday. It was quite a thrill. Don’t get me wrong, it is not the killing that was exciting. What was exciting was that I was able to shoot that near-perfect shot when it mattered and that my dad was there to share the experience with me.”Minnaar hopes she will get an opportunity to shoot a kudu at some stage. “But I am not sure whether I will get to do so. Hunting is expensive.”

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YOLANDI STANDER AND WANZEL BREYTENBACH OUTPUT TO THE MAX

WANZEL BREYTENBACH

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ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: SHOT PUT

OUTPUT TO THE MAX YOLANDI STANDER AND WANZEL BREYTENBACH By Wilhelm de Swardt, photos provided

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YOLANDI STANDER AND WANZEL BREYTENBACH OUTPUT TO THE MAX

NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. THIS SAYING CERTAINLY APPLIES TO THE 16-YEAR-OLD YOLANDI STANDER OF AFRIKAANSE HO R MEISIESKOOL IN PRETORIA. Most people will not be able to guess in which sport Stander excels. The fact that she is 1.86 m tall is one aspect that adds to the confusion. Her appearance is that of either a high jumper or some sort of sprinter and she could even be seen as a star netball player. But none of these guesses would be correct. Stander is one of South Africa’s top young shot put athletes, as well as a champion discus thrower. At the recent African Youth Championships she won a gold medal in shot put with distance of 15.71 m. This performance means that she has qualified to represent South Africa at the Youth Olympic Games (16-28 August) in Nanjing, China. Her best distance of 15.71 m places Stander fifth on the all-time list of best performances by a South African youth athlete. Keep in mind that she is only 16-years-old, which means that she will still be competing in the youth category (Under-18) next year and by that time she will certainly let rip with even bigger efforts. It is interesting to note that Valerie Adams, New Zealand’s legendary shot put athlete, is 1.93 m tall. For those who may not know, Adams is a four-time world champion, two-time Olympian champion and a three-time World Indoor Champion.

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Strangely enough, Adams is not Stander’s role model.

“I have great respect for what Adams has achieved, but I consider Elizna Naudé (SA record holder in the discus) as my role model.” Stander is an equally talented discus athlete who can boast with a best distance of 48.29 m. In the history of South African athletics, only four youth athletes have been able to throw farther. To get Stander to talk about her athletics achievements is not easy, but eventually she lets slip that she received the award for best female performance in a field event on quite a few occasions during this season’s school athletics. Softball is the other sport in which Stander excels. She has been a provincial softball player for the past three seasons.But this is not the end of her accomplishments. She is also a good classical guitarist who has already completed the fourth grade Unisa exam.

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: SHOT PUT

YOLANDI STANDER Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

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YOLANDI STANDER AND WANZEL BREYTENBACH OUTPUT TO THE MAX

The 18-year-old Wanzel Breytenbach is another Affies Meisies pupil who excels at field events. She is the South African Schools shot put champion with a best distance of 13.90 m. Breytenbach is the first to acknowledge that she still has to spend many a long and hard hour in the circle and in the gym before she will be at her best. But the important thing is that she feels up to the challenge. She has set her sights on winning a medal at next year’s African Games. According to Breytenbach there can be no bigger thrill than the rare occasion when everything just clicks into place during a competition, enabling her to improve on her personal best distance. “When that happens the first thing I do is to run to my dad, Dries, to share that ‘wow’ moment with him. During those few seconds everything turns into magic and you forget about all your sacrifices and disappointments.” Breytenbach, who is being coached by Pierre Blignault, is appreciative of the role her training partners, Jaco Engelbrecht, and Geraldine and Patrick Duvenage, play in her progress.

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“It is good to be part of a group where everybody shares the same goal. Training with them definitely means that slacking back to mediocrity will never be an option. We know how to motivate each other to put in just that little bit more effort.” Breytenbach is also a quite talented artist. In one of her recent paintings she used her dad’s hands to show the effect of life.

ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: SHOT PUT

Painting by Wanzel Breytenbach

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Reinate van den Berg & Eckhard Engelbrecht Underwater Hockey: Breathtaking

BREATHTAKING UNDERWATER HOCKEY By Philna van Veijeren

A sport invented by the British Navy to keep their soldiers fit, and expanded in South Africa by fearless spear fishermen who were kept from the ocean, is guaranteed to be an extreme challenge. Consequently, underwater hockey has taken hold of a few special South African adrenaline junkies, and their adventures are worth keeping an eye out for.

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ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: Underwater Hockey

Since the days of soldiers and spear fishermen, the sport has bloomed here in South Africa – both underwater and under the radar. To find out what we’ve been missing, I spoke to some expert players about what it’s like to be a human submarine.

Reinate van den Berg and Eckhard Engelbrecht are learners at Die Hoërskool Menlopark, who were part of the Under-19 underwater hockey teams that travelled to Eger, Hungary, last year to compete in the CMAS Underwater Hockey World Championship – in which they achieved an impressive third and fifth place respectively. A game of underwater hockey consists of two teams, each with six players in the water at a time. Your average play time is made up of 10 or 15 minutes a side, with a two-minute break in between. Each player has a stick, no longer than 35 cm, which they use to flick the heavy leaden puck on the floor of the swimming pool to score a goal. Even though players wear snorkels, they have to be able to hold their breath for up to a minute while fighting for the puck. This adds the element of adventure to the sport, seeing as you can’t always surface as soon as you want to, because other players might be blocking your way. Engelbrecht and Van den Berg casually call this an adrenaline rush, and although they’ve heard of shallow-water blackouts, they’ve never actually seen one happen and the sport is perfectly safe.

Along with the adrenaline rush, the love of participation also stems from the friendships built between teammates.

Their worldwide tours are of course a highlight on every player’s calendar, where the teammates share failures and successes and life-changing experiences, which create an unbreakable bond between them. At these championship tournaments the participants are each more eager and competitive than the next, but after the glamorous award ceremony everyone joins the party and new friends are easily made.

Of course, this sport requires ample amounts of dedication. Van den Berg and Engelbrecht are part of PSA – the Pretoria Sub Aqua club. Their teams practice four times a week in two-hour sessions at the Hillcrest swimming pool in Pretoria.

To qualify for the South African team, you have to attend the training camps, where the teams are finalised each year.

Their least favourite parts of participating in the sport are the icy winter practice sessions and the intense fitness training they have to be able to endure. To be a top underwater hockey player, you need to be as fit as possible in the water, and also be able to hold your breath for a minimum of one minute!

If you want to start playing this unique sport, find your nearest club and simply show up. There are 19 registered clubs scattered throughout the country! Trials are held at the beginning of each year – if you’re a good swimmer and eager to learn to play the game, there’ll be a place for you.

BREATHTAKING UNDERWATER HOCKEY

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Philna van Veijeren GO BIG OR GO HOME

GO BIG or GO HOME By Philna van Veijeren, Photos: Henry Kelbrick In October 2013, a new era dawned on Pretoria with the opening of the ice rink at The Grove Mall. The long-awaited rink was instantly flooded with people from all over the city, slipping and sliding and falling their way to acquiring a new skill. Along with the masses of kids, the rink also drew a more serious crowd – the ice hockey players. It’s been tough for them ever since their previous ‘home’ rink at Kollonade Mall closed, and even though they continued to keep fit with inline skating, they suffered losses in terms of club members. A year later, the club reopens, and after a day’s marketing at the Grove, the coaches are incredibly proud of the turnout. I had the opportunity of chatting to the head coach of the national senior men’s ice hockey team, Andre Marais, who is also the head coach of the Pretoria Capitals. So rest assured - the club is in good hands. The Pretoria Capitals coaches have been getting some help from an NHL-affiliated coach from the USA, and have completed the same levels of training that any international ice hockey coach would need to achieve.

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ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: : ICE HOCKEY

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Philna van Veijeren GO BIG OR GO HOME

The Pretoria Capitals are an evolving bunch of teams, with a hustle and bustle of eager players in different levels, ensuring that someone is practising madly on the ice every night of the week. The Pretoria Capitals consist of many teams, from Under-12 all the way to Under-20, as well as Ladies, First Division and Premiere Hockey League teams. “And we’ve hardly lost any newcomers,” boasts head coach Marais. To accommodate the flood of new enthusiasts, a Group 1 (Beginners, Under-14 and Under-16) practise session sees six coaches on the ice at a time, equipping different sets of enthusiasts with different skills, all at the same time, which paints a scene that might seem slightly chaotic to the uninformed bystander. On closer inspection though, every player is trying hard and learning something new. Above all, one thing is obvious – every single person on the ice is having the time of their life.

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ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: : ICE HOCKEY

I asked some of the coaches at the rink what it is that makes ice hockey special – they just smiled. “I don’t know how you’re going to put it into words – there’s just something about the freedom of being on the ice.” Apparently an ice hockey player in South Africa is also someone who doesn’t simply follow the crowd. You’re doing something different and something special.

“Our hope is to maintain the level we’ve achieved through our hard work, but hope is not a strategy.” These coaches feel very strongly that there is no point in pushing towards unrealistic achievements, but that development year upon year is of cardinal importance.

Growth in terms of numbers is extremely important in South African ice hockey. Five years ago, South Africa had but 70 registered players countrywide. Now, we have more than 500 and growing, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.

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Philna van Veijeren GO BIG OR GO HOME

F s i A b

There is no oversupply of players in ice hockey like there is in so many other sports, which means that every single zealous player is welcome. And ice hockey isn’t more dangerous than other contact sports, so don’t be scared. But once you start to play, you never look back – it’s contagious.

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ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: : ICE HOCKEY

For a country where the weather doesn’t naturally accommodate ice hockey, South African teams perform surprisingly well internationally. The IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) divides international teams into the Top Division, followed by First, Second and Third Division, each containing Group A and B. South Africa recently made the huge leap of moving to the Second Division, where the level of competition has been a serious adjustment.

Nevertheless, our team performed extraordinarily well in Spain this year. Our Under-18 team won a gold medal in Turkey and our Ladies team achieved silver in their qualifying competition.

“Playing ice hockey in South Africa means that if you work hard, you will do well.” Game On Magazine, June: Issue 07, 2014

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Francois Van Coke Surfer In His Dreams; Rocker In Reality

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ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: : Rugby

FRANCOIS VAN COKE SURFER IN HIS DREAMS; ROCKER IN REALITY

Va n C o k e i s b e s t k n o w n f o r h i s r o l e i n t h e s u c c e s s f u l r o c k b a n d s F o k o f p o l i s i e k a r a n d Va n Coke Kartel. There have been other projects, and earlier this year he embarked on a national s o l o t o u r. B u t i t h a s a l w a y s b e e n a b o u t t h e music. A s t h e s o n o f a p a s t o r, Va n C o k e w a s a s k e d to change his name from Badenhorst when Fokofpolisiekar started making waves in 2003. The story goes that his parents started getting phone calls about their sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s antics, and all agreed that a name change would be for the best. Ye t t h e y o u n g F r a n c o i s w a s n o t a l w a y s t h e r e b e l . B e f o r e h e w a s a r o c k e r, h e g r e w u p i n t h e s u b u r b o f B e l l v i l l e n e a r C a p e To w n w h e r e he attended Bellpark Primary School and later Bellville High School. By Anna-Retha Bouwer, Photos by Liam Lynch

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Francois Van Coke Surfer In His Dreams; Rocker In Reality

I PARTICIPATED IN RUGBY AND CRICKET, AND ALSO TOOK PART IN A LITTLE BIT OF ATHLETICS. OH, AND I SKATEBOARDED.

The young Francois wasn’t bad at all because he was in the school’s first rugby team when he was in high school and in primary school he made it to Craven Week. Va n C o k e a d m i t s t o b e i n g a b i t o f a c o m b i n a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e s t e r e o t y p e s o f n e r d a n d j o c k . “ I d i d q u i t e w e l l a c a d e m i c a l l y. I was in trouble every now and then, but not too much and I was a member of the student council.”

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ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: : Rugby

But there was also an underlying ‘punk’ side because he enjoyed listening to alternative music and loved skateboarding. About two years ago he invested in a new skateboard but he hasn’t used it once. Maybe a surfboard w i l l f o l l o w , b e c a u s e Va n C o k e says he regrets not taking up surfing when he was younger as he loves the sea. “I have had vivid dreams of surfing. I am still going to t a k e i t u p o n e d a y. ”

Va n C o k e h a s n o r e c o l l e c t i o n of any real catastrophes on the sports field while he was at school, although his face took a bit of a beating d u r i n g a r u g b y g a m e o n e d a y. Unfortunately it was the day before the school photos were to be taken, and Francois was not looking his best. “My entire face was swollen and full of scratches!” N o w a d a y s Va n C o k e f i n d s it hard to keep any kind of exercise routine going with so much time being spent in clubs doing gigs, or being on the road, touring.

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Francois Van Coke Surfer In His Dreams; Rocker In Reality

“With every wild rock ‘n roll show I work up a good sweat and that’s how I like it.”

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ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: : Rugby

The best he can do is to go for a run whenever he can, listing to the Foo Fighters’ Wasting L i g h t a l b u m .T h e r e ’ s a l s o n o w o r k o u t l i k e a g o o d time on stage. “With every wild rock ’n roll show I work up a good sweat and that is how I like it.”Francois says he is grateful for the lessons he learnt on the sports field because being a member of a band is much like being a member o f a s p o r t s t e a m . “ Yo u h a v e t o b e a b l e t o w o r k t o g e t h e r a n d e x e r c i s e t o g e t h e r. ’ “We’ve even had injuries. I’ve had to be stitched up after shows a couple of times and Wynand (Myburgh, bassist) has injured his knee on stage before.” He calls himself a ‘moerse’ rugby fan and also admits to spending days doing nothing but watching test cricket. “I have said it before and I will say it again: Schalk Burger is my hero,” he says. Va n C o k e a d m i t s t o b e i n g a s t a u n c h S t o r m e r s s u p p o r t e r. “ E v e n i f i t ’ s n o t s o e a s y t h i s y e a r … ” He prefers watching a game at home while the meat is sizzling on the fire, but in reality many games are watched in hotel rooms all over the c o u n t r y. After all, being one of the country’s most successful rock artists takes time and effort, especially when everybody’s eagerly awaiting n e w a l b u m s f r o m b o t h Va n C o k e K a r t e l a n d F o k o f p o l i s i e k a r. F o r n o w , i t s e e m s , t h e b u s y Francois van Coke will have to limit surfing to his dreams …

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Sport Science and Medical Unit

ADVENTURE-BASED LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES What is adventure-based learning? How does it work? It is based on the principle of learning through experience. It typically includes creating an experience, then reflecting on that experience, and finally knowledge is gained by transforming the experience into something that can be applied in future real-world situations.

It is the use of adventure-based activities for learning, focussing specifically on personal and team development.

Adventure-based activities: • Low ropes course: incorporating various challenges that take place on or a short distance off the ground. • Amazing race: incorporating a combination of problem solving and decision making challenges as part of a set course to be completed.

What are the benefits? • • • •

Shared knowledge and collaborative learning from all members in the group. Breaks away from the norm of passive learning through lectures and notes. An opportunity to apply knowledge rather than just recite knowledge. To modify behaviour to improve your effectiveness.

Adventure Programmes we offer: PROGRAMME

Team Building

Performance Enhancement

Adjustment

Leadership

Shadowmatch or MBTI

DESCRIPTION

The main aim of this programme is to address team building themes in newly formed or existing teams.

The main aim of this programme is to experience and apply a performance development approach using the activities.

The main aim of this programme is to address adjustment related themes when you find yourself in a new environment.

The main aim of this programme is to address leadership experiences and themes.

The main aim of this programme is to use the adventure activities as a way to experience and apply Shadowmatch results.

COMPONENTS

• • • • •

• • • •

• Leadership development • Awareness of relationships • Roles between leaders and followers

• Address the 19 habits of the Shadowmatch assessment.

Goal setting. Role identification. Team processes. Interpersonal relations. Team problem solving.

• Task focus. • Present moment focus. • Experiential acceptance. • Values and goals. • Commitment and motivation.

Emotional support. Experiencing change. Expectations and obligations. New environments and culture

Description of Shadowmatch: Shadowmatch is a tool that measures behavioural habits and compares these to a benchmark of the top performers in that specific environment. Behavioural patterns are crucial in developing competency in executing of a person’s skills. Shadowmatch allows for the prediction of whether the situation will allow a person’s habits to function optimally, allowing all energy to be used in executing of skills and developing competency.

For information and bookings contact: Karla Brown on karla.brown@hpc.co.za

How does your running form affect the loads on your joints and muscles? Are physical restrictions contributing to injury and limiting your performance? What should you do to recover from and prevent future injuries?

Running gait analysis includes: • • •

Functional Movement Screen Video analysis of your running mechanics Individualised report and recommendations based on latest research

Other running related services offered at our sport science division: • • • • •

Physio Massage Sport Medicine Nutrition Sport Science / VO2 Max

www.facebook.com/hpc001 twitter.com/hpcRSA Ernest_HobbsHPC #hpcrunning Contact: Ernest Hobbs 012 362 9800 x 5021 | 082 665 6876 | ernest.hobbs@hpc.co.za

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OF gamE On Lawprint supports the development of youth sports in South Africa in association with Game On

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Tel: 011 805 3880 www.lawprint.co.za