Mark Andrews

Izimvo is thrilled to introduce South African rugby legend and member of the 1995 Rugby World Cup winning team: Mark Andrews.

Considered as one of the greatest locks to have played the game, Mark’s Springbok career started at the young age of 22 when he made his debut against England in 1994. Earning a total of 77 test caps, Mark’s career highlights include:

• SA Rugby Player of the year nomination in 1994, his debut year.
• Being a member of the 1995 Rugby World Cup team.
• 60 test points including 12 test tries.
• 160 games for the Sharks.
• Currie Cups wins in 1995 and 1996.

Following his retirement in 2001, Mark played a season in the United Kingdom. He retired from the game at the end of the 2004 season at the age of 32.

Wikipedia Page.
Location: Durban

Mark was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: How would you like yourself introduced at a social event.

A: Mark Andrews would have prefered to have been a rock star but as he had no voice, rhythm or looks decided to play rugby.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: Water polo was my sport of choice as a school boy and it was only when at Stellenbosch varsity that I was forced to choose between polo and Rugby.

Q: What you are currently doing and in which ways you are still involved in the game of Rugby?

A: I am a shareholder in a sourcing company that has an exclusive supply contract with Massmart. (Game and Makro stores) As I spend a fair amount of time sourcing products in China, Taiwan and India I have no structured role in Rugby. I am a sponsor of a farm labours team in the Kie road district of East London and try and stay involved with the legends activities as and when possible.

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South African would you like it to be?

A: I have the land and will be starting building in about 3 years. The land is on the Gonubie river near East London and myself and 9 school friends have bought 13 hectares on the Gonubie river and are creating an eco estate. 2 houses are already complete and the rest will all be completed in about 5 years.

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property – Looking for your dream holiday home in East London? How about this 3 bedroom home with breathtaking views of Beacon Bay.

Rugby in South Africa

Mark and Matt Damon

Q: Which moment during your schoolboy rugby career are you most proud of?

A: Beating our arch rivals Dale College by 40 points on their re-union day.

Q: If you were to select a South African all-star team with players from any era, who would pick as captain and hire as the coach?

A: Ian Macintosh would be my coach but he would have to be accompanied by a mental health practitioner as he can get pretty emotional. My captain would be Gary Teichmann.

Q: What advice would you offer school-boy coaches in terms of preparing talented players for the off-field demands of a professional career?

A: Have humility at all times, No matter how talented or famous you get you will never be greater than the game or your team and without both you would be not able to achieve anything in rugby.

Q: What do you think the impact commercialization has had on the school boy game?

A: As much as it has helped create bigger, stronger, smarter players it has unfortunately also created a huge number of problems. Steroid Abuse, over training in Gym and a shift away from academic pursuits are just a few issues that have arisen due to the commercialization of Rugby.

A scary stat is that less than 1% of all players who play rugby with the objective of making a career from the game actually do and worse is that the financial awards are never enough to secure one financially for life even if you do hit the big time and big pay days. Unlike Golf where if you have the talent you can earn a decent living for decades, in rugby you have a single decade if you are lucky and with the risk of injury so high, rugby can be a perilous career.

Q: What are your predictions, in terms of technological advances, for the next generation of players?

A: Athletes of all codes seldom understand their bodies and what makes the body and mind allow for a consistent performance game after game. Sports Scientists are forever chasing the “thing” that will allow an athlete to be bigger, stronger, quicker etc but they often cause other weaknesses by focusing on their discovery.

So simply what I am saying is that in my career we went from doing huge endurance sessions and no explosive power to little endurance and tons of explosive power to huge weight sessions with a bit of endurance and explosive power etc.

As every sports scientist came out with a new way to train to make you better the sports world veered to the extreme of that pursuit in an attempt to maximize the return to the athlete often at the expense of a balanced approach.

My prediction is that players and trainers will understand how to train an athlete in such a way that allows his body to perform at its best. Training is going to be engineered to allow each individual to get the best out of their body and accepting that not every new discovery will enhance each athlete in the same way.

In essence training even for team sports will be engineered to the individual.

Q: What advice would you offer the young school boy wanting to emulate your career?

A: Train hard and smart. Get advice from someone you respect who has been on the journey and listen to what they say. It’s an old cliché but you can’t walk into a sports store and buy 10 years of experience. Be prepared to make sacrifices and continually push yourself, not just on the field but off it. Be disciplined and never give up after a bad turn or set back. I have played with too many players a lot more talented than I ever was but who gave up too quickly when things got tough or never went their way.

Life in South Africa

Q: South Africa’s greatest sporting export is?

A: Ernie Els.

Q: If, with the flick of your fingers, you could improve one thing about South Africa, what would it be?

A: Crime.

Q: When asked about South Africa and the current crime levels by those internationally, how do you respond?

A: Having traveled with Rugby as a 19-year-old for the 1st time while South Africa was still under Apartheid was an eye opener to me as I never realized how badly the rest of the world viewed all white South Africans. If you were white and came from South Africa you must be a racist appeared to be the viewpoint of most foreigners.

During this time I learnt that I could change the perception of those people I met. I do the same thing now in my international travels when asked about crime in South Africa which every foreigner seems to know about if they have heard of South Africa.

You can’t deny crime does not exist (It’s hard to when myself and my family have been victims of crime on 12 separate occasions in the last 5 years) but if you give a balanced opinion you can make them change their opinion that South Africa is run by criminals and violent gangsters. This does get harder to do with the like of Malema and our own president carrying on like they do though.

We have to accept that South Africa needs foreign investment and tourist Dollars, Pounds and Euro’s so when as a South African you meet foreigners it is in all our interests to tell them about the positives about our country and highlight the good things that we have.

Life in Durban

Q: What do you most enjoy about living in Durban?

A: The Winters, you just can’t beat a winter’s day in Durban. Even more so if you have lived in Northern England like I did for 2 miserable years.

Q: Favorite restaurant in or around Durban for dinner with old friends?

A: Butcher Boys Umhlanga for a meal and the George & Dragon for a beer.

Q: If you were tasked with commissioning a postal stamp depicting the beauty of Durban and it’s people, which image would you select?

A: I know that Durban seems to be hanging its hat on the new stadium as its new poster child but I would still have a guy in baggies surfing the perfect wave. It was how I saw Durban as a youngster living in the eastern cape and it seems to summarize Durban for me.

Q: Favorite outdoor venue for spending quality time with the family?

Mark and his two sons, Tyson and Xavier.

A: Ushaka marine world would get my kids vote every day of the week.

Q: What are your thoughts on the Durban’s new Moses Mabhida Stadium and do you think the Sharks should make it their new home?

A: No one can argue that the stadium is not very impressive and up with the world’s best but how can we as a country and city build a stadium that costs Billions and will be a drain on our city for years to come. I find it very hard to feel proud of a stadium that cost billions when I drive to work every day and see people living in shacks.

If we had to spend the money why was the current ABSA stadium not upgraded and the rest of the allocated budget used to upgrade the surrounding sporting facilities. Surely we could have used the money to invest in an upgraded athletics track, Cycle Track, Equestrian centre, Hockey fields, basketball courts, swimming pool complex, netball courts, soccer fields etc.

This would have been more sustainable in that it would have added world-class facilities to all these sporting codes that would have been sustainable in that the members of all these codes would have contributed in fees to maintain all these facilities.

It would also have made Durban the destination for a host of national events in all those respective codes making Durban truly the sports capital of Africa thus bringing in constant income to the city.

Finally Durban could then bid for the Africa Games, Commonwealth games, FINA world games etc, etc.

Should the Sharks move, well they would be silly not to move as who else is going to use the stadium after the world cup?

General

Q: Which non-rugby sporting captain do you most admire and why?

A: I don’t really have a favorite captain from other codes but I do respect individual sportsmen and women who do not play team sports as they have to be their own captain at all times. I know the timing is not great but Tiger Woods as an athlete is simply superb.

Q: What were some of your favorite line-out calls?

A: When I played in France as a youngster I arrived not speaking a word of French and as my team could not speak English we had to come up with a fast way of identifying when I had to jump. After much discussion which I never understood a word of it was decided to simply call out my first name or surname when it was my ball. The problem was that the French can’t say Andrews rather they say Andrew with a very guttural pronunciation of the dr in Andrew. This caused me to not jump in my 1st line-out as when the captain called Andrew I had no idea he was calling my name. After more on field discussions they decided to leave out the Surname bit and for the rest of the season my call was simply my name, Mark.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all school-boy rugby players?

A: Michael Jordan’s book , I can’t accept not trying.

Q: Which South African personality would you most want directing you on your car’s GPS device?

Q: The lady who does the pre re-corded pre flight announcement on SAA flights.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?

A: I would say Zuma but I don’t think any ANC politician in this country is able to give a straight honest answer about anything so it would have to be Barry Hilton…. We all need to laugh more in this country.

We’d like to thank Mark for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him every success in the future.

Reminder that you can now listen our interviews at http://izimvo.com/listen or subscribe to our Podcast feed http://bit.ly/bgC35E

Stefan Terblanche (Photo by Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

Izimvo is honoured to introduce Springbok and Sharks Rugby player, Stefan Terblanche.

Stefan’s professional rugby started at the Boland Cavaliers where he played under the tutelage of Nick Mallet. He earned a total of 66 caps for Boland before making his Sharks debut in 1999.  Stephan rejoined The Sharks for the 2009 season after playing for Swansea’s Ospreys in Wales.

Stefan’s Springbok career includes 37 caps with a total of 19 tries and 95 points. His try per match ratio of 0.51 is among the highest in Springbok history.

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan_Terblanche
Location: Durban

Stefan was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Stefan Terblanche, age 34, petrified of clowns!

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: Favorite movies – Braveheart and Shawshank Redemption.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Having a few beers with friends and playing with my two children.

Rugby in South Africa

Q: Having lived the dream of every schoolboy rugby player by representing both your province and country, what advice would you offer young players wanting a career in the game?

A: Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it! If you want it badly enough, you CAN achieve it!

Q: If you had to single out a highlight from your rugby career, what would it be?

A: Winning the Currie Cup with the Sharks in 2008 and beating Australia whilst playing for the Ospreys in Wales.

Q: What do you think the impact commercialization has had on the school boy game?

A: In my opinion – a negative one. There is far too much pressure on school boys to perform and not enough fun.

Q: If you were to select a South African all-star team with players from any era, who would pick as captain?

A: Easy choice – Gary Teichman.

Q: What, for you, has been the greatest lesson from your years as a professional rugby player?

A: Having sacrificed a lot for rugby – it’s still just a game and should be enjoyed. Never take the enjoyment out of it!

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Family no but close friends yes. We do take precautions by living in a gated community and by being alert but we still LOVE this country!

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: Not an option for us but I don’t judge or blame anyone for considering such options.

Q: If you were South African president for just one day, what would you change?

A: I’d bring back the death penalty for rapists and murderers.

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: My hometown – Swellendam, Gwahumbe Game and Spa in Kwa Zulu Natal and the Transkei.

Life in Durban

Q: What do you think is Durban’s number one tourist attraction?

A: ABSA stadium on match days. Can’t beat the atmosphere on the fields after a game!

Q: Favorite venue for watching the big game?

A: Any place with family and good friends.

Q: Favorite beach?

A: Northbeach.

General

Q: What are you going to buy yourself as a 40th birthday present?

A: A golf cart.

Q: Which sporting personality have you most enjoyed meeting?

A: Shane Williams – Welsh winger. Great guy and absolute genius on the field. Joe Roff – Aussie Rugby player.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.

Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?

Q: In the Transkei with my wife.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: Interesting and successful businessmen and women in KZN.

We’d like to thank Stefan for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him every success for the 2010 season!

Bob Skinstad

Izimvo is truly honoured to introduce former Springbok Rugby Captain, Bob Skinstad.

When it comes to household names, there are not many as popular as Bob Skinstad. Bob’s professional rugby career includes 42  Springbok caps with a total of 55 points (11 tries). He has represented South Africa at all levels of the game including captaining the under 21′s in 1996 and 1997, and playing for the SA Sevens team in 1997. Bob retired from professional rugby in 2007 having captained the Springboks on 12 occasions.

Today, Bob is an entrepreneur with various interests including his pride and joy, The Toad in the Village – a country pub in Noordhoek. He is also a regular member of the SuperSport broadcast team.

Blog: http://www.bobskinstad.co.za
Twitter: http://twitter.com/bobskinstad

Bob was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event?  i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Bob Skinstad, 33, social entrepreneur and broadcaster, married, two kids – born in Zimbabwe

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: Secretly a marketing and innovation addict, have subscribed to fast company, inc and business2.0 for ten years plus – love seeing and using trends from overseas in SA context.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Reading, fishing and now surfing is my new hobby so have spent as much time fishing and surfing as possible.

Rugby in South Africa

Q: Having lived the dream of every schoolboy rugby player by representing both your province and country, what advice would you offer young players wanting a career in the game?

A: Don’t decide early – play the wait and see – you can easily still get a degree or start a trade while you play thru the junior ranks – your mind is a bigger asset than your body , and it starts to dull as soon as you become a pro player so sharpen it up as much as possible – enjoy it

Q: If you had to single out a highlight from your rugby career, what would it be?

A: I loved sevens as a game and played (lost ) Fiji in the final of the sevens world cup in Hong kong – still a fond memory – I suppose being able to come back and play without emotional baggage was also special, which led a to a small role at the World cup, very lucky !

Q: What do you think the impact commercialization has had on the school boy game?

A: I believe it’s stopping the further mental development a bit – but I love the FNB varsity cup cos it’s a nice mix of both worlds and allows journeyman players that often miss out to shine – they have got the marketing side of it right too.

Q: If you were to select a South African all-star team with players from any era, who would pick as captain?

A: John Smit.

Q: What, for you, has been the greatest lesson from your years as a professional rugby player?

A: Stay young , stay curious and enjoy yourself – it was taught in a funny round about kind of way , but am always learning !

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: yes, and yes, but only to make us more aware of our surroundings – and to make better, smarter choices when looking at lifestyle – a real blessing.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: yes, but only to go and explore for a bit – I lived in london for 3 and a bit years and loved it , got lots of fond memories from there, – the worst thing about London is running into insecure South Africans spreading a lie about our country

Q: If you were South African president for just one day, what would you change?

A: I would institute gross national Accountability – a practice that we severely lack !

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: Cape town is whirlwind visit in itself – but the table mountain national parks area, incorporating Chapmans, Table mountain and Hout bay would be great – then after having got to know them , i would head on a Safari, any one of decent game viewing and hosting experience, but probably go via a township visit, because otherwise everyone thinks we live a lie, and have a great meal and entertainment at somewhere like Mxolis , and the winelands !

Life in Cape Town

Q: What do you think is Cape Town’s number one tourist attraction?

A: Tourists all book for Cape Town and ask about Chapmans Peak so I would imagine it’s up there.

Q: Favorite venue for watching the big game?

A: My little pub in Noordhoek, the Toad in the Village is second best to live (can’t wait for the cape Town Stadium to be hosting rugby !)

Q: Favourite beach ?

A: Fish Hoek – in the early morning, before the crowds and with kids is my new passion, otherwise Llandudno Sun-downers are pretty spectacular.

General

Q: What are you going to buy yourself as a 40th birthday present?

A: A farm , close enough to the city to commute but big enough to indulge in passions, somewhere coastal !

Q: What would you make required  reading for all matric pupils?

A: The Power of Less by Leo Babauta and Crush it by Gary Vaynerchuk

Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow morning ?

A: At my home in Noordhoek – but early enough to catch a wave before some meetings !

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: The Hopes, dreams and ACTIONS of South Africans who are positive about our country and that want to contribute to our future as a surviving, thriving example of what is possible.

A massive thank you to Bob for finding the time to answer our questions.

Please support Bob’s bobsforgood Foundation, the purpose of which is to put shoes on the feet of South Africa’s children. A great initiative that we can all get behind. Details