Specmagic has that golden tinge
SPOTLIGHT: Sevens superstar Rosko Specman, the Griquas flyer, has been around the block, but the coveted Currie Cup has always eluded him.
The one-cap Springbok, who will celebrate his 34th birthday on April 28, gave up playing in European competition with the Cheetahs, to move to the Northern Cape, where he hopes he can achieve that one elusive goal – that of hoisting the Currie Cup.
Specman firmly believes that it is within the Griquas’ grasp, although they have had a slow start in the 2023 edition of the Currie Cup – with their fifth place on the standings, having won only three of their six games thus far.
The man they call Specmagic is best known for his exploits on the Sevens world circuit with the BlitzBoks between 2014 and 2019.
This earned him an Olympic medal as part of the South African team when they claimed a bronze medal at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
With his speed, swerve and eye for a gap, Specman not only mesmerized his opposition, but also accumulated 380 points in 150 appearances during his time with the BlitzBoks.
Specman represented the Cheetahs (in 2017, and again from 2020 to last year), the Bulls (2019 and 2020) and was loaned to the Stormers ahead of the British & Irish Lions tour in 2021.
In early 2021 he considered a return to Sevens and ultimately one final push for an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games.
But then came the call-up to Springboks which resulted in him making his Test debut against Georgia in July 2021.
Given that the BlitzBok legend gave up okaying in European competitions with the Cheetahs to move to the Northern Cape, shows his confidence in Kimberley as a home that can still improve one’s game.
“I have always had my eye on Griquas and the way they play their rugby,” Specman said.
“If we can execute everything and be 100 percent clinical, I believe on the day we can win the Currie Cup this year.
“That is still one of my dreams, to win the Currie Cup, and I believe I can do it with the Griquas,” Specman said this week ahead of their fixture against the Griffons in Kimberley.
“I am really enjoying my time in Kimberley.
“Most of the players, as well as the coaches, all have dreams of still making it big someday and maybe playing for or coaching a United Rugby Championship team.
“I have had a long journey in the game and I have learnt a lot.
“I have to make sure that I am happy where I am and I am really enjoying my rugby at the moment,” the speedster said.
Griquas has not had the best start to the competition and the wing says while there are quality backs in the team, they must still find their own way of playing together.
“I think in the first round we played to 50 percent of our talent.
“If we can pick it up every weekend, by the time we reach the play-offs, we can be 100% ready, myself included.
“What is nice about this young group is there is a lot of competition. And that is the beauty of this game.”
