Why you should be at Newlands
Rugby365 editor Jan de Koning tells us why there are two very good reasons to go to Newlands on Wednesday to watch the Springboks play Namibia in a World Cup warm-up match!
South Africa play Namibia in the first-ever official Test between the two countries at Newlands on Wednesday night. Judging by the ticket sales, however, the South African public, or, in particular the Western Cape public, are not very interested in this game.
It certainly cannot be because of exorbitant ticket prices – they only cost R50. Maybe they don’t regard Namibia as a real Test nation?
Whatever the reasons for the public’s apathy, there are two very good reasons why they should rush to the ticket office for what is the Springboks’ final match on home soil before the World Cup.
Those reasons are Percival Colin (Percy) Montgomery and Jacobus Petrus (Os) du Randt.
These two ‘elder statesmen’ will make their final appearances on South African soil before they head abroad – never to be seen in action in this country again.
Montgomery will continue his career in Europe after the World Cup, Du Randt will retire to his Free State farm when he returns from France.
Either way, two of the greatest modern day South African players will make their last appearances on home soil – even though Monty has indicated that he would still like to play for SA next year, despite moving to France after the RWC.
Montgomery, now 33, was certainly not the most popular player in the early stages of his career. He was even famously booed off the field while playing for the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
However, with 85 Tests to his credit he WILL become the most-capped South African player at the World Cup… unless injury plays a cruel trick on him.
Montgomery, who is just four Tests behind Joost van der Westhuizen’s record (89), went into a self-imposed exile in Wales – leaving almost a three-year gap in his Test career, from November 2001 to June 2004.
If you didn’t like him – be that because of his playboy looks or flamboyant style of rugby – before he left, Montgomery has certainly won over a lot more fans since his return from Newport. He is now truly one of SA’s greats.
He is worth watching, he is worth the R50 entry ticket!
Du Randt is an altogether different animal. Os (Ox for those not familiar with Afrikaans) has been a beast of the front row world since he made his debut against Argentina in 1994. He now has a World Cup winners medal (1995), a Tri-Nations title (2004) and a Currie Cup triumph under his belt – a truly unique achievement.
Du Randt also has a gap in his Test career – from November 1999 to June 2004. However, it was a serious knee injury that almost ended his career prematurely, not a move abroad.
At age 34, he will turn 35 at the World Cup next month, Du Randt has 72 Test caps to his credit – placing him fourth on the all-time list behind Van der Westhuizen (89), Montgomery (85) and lock Mark Andrews (77).
Du Randt could become South Africa’s most-capped forward. He is already his country’s most-capped prop.
Go give these two greats a fitting farewell, they deserve it!
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