AUDIO: One-on-one with Swys
LISTEN as Lions coach Swys de Bruin sits down for a one-on-one chat with @rugby365com reporter Josh Isaacson, following his return to duty this week.
De Bruin, in a frank interview, opens up about the reasons behind his stress-induced medical condition, his treatment, his Springbok contract and the future of the Lions.
* Listen to the interview here
Abridged transcript:
@rugby365com: Swys, there was a lot of media reports on your medical condition – including that it was stress-related. Would you be so kind as to give us clarity on what caused you to return home?
Swys de Bruin: “It’s a few factors that, if you add them up, it’s like a steam engine – you keep making the fire and over months. I didn’t realise it happened and then one or two things pushed me over the edge in Sydney. I didn’t realise what was my condition until the doctor and the guys said you got to get home because you not good.”
R365: After the break, do you feel energised and ready for the final stretch of Super Rugby?
SdB: “Very much so. I must say I’m very excited. [We had a] great practice. The team embraced me when I came back [Monday]. I thought I was Superman, but I realised I’m not Superman – I’m just human and I’m fragile. I’ve got to look after myself. I do get good professional help. We are back on the horse and ready to go.”
R365: With the World Cup looming large later this year, will we see you in the Springbok set-up this year? Do you feel up for it?
SdB: “I definitely feel up to it. I’ve signed a contract with SA Rugby for four months, so I will do the attack during the World Cup.”
R365: Given the competitive nature of Super Rugby, how do you see the Lions and their play-off prospects?
SdB: “We take it game by game, as we did the last five years. I don’t want to look too far ahead. We back our process. We are process driven and we even take it twenty minutes by twenty minutes and not eighty. We not looking past even today’s practice.”
R365: We know you have brought some talented youngsters through this season. Tell us about the long-term prospects of the Lions, given the loss of so many senior players in the last two years?
SdB: “It’s a new season. It’s a lot of new players. All the youngsters that we tried, did well. There’s not one that I can say didn’t put his hand up. The future looks bright. I have signed for another two years with the Lions, so God-willing it’s going to go well and we are going to just keep on playing good rugby.”
* This week’s podcast…
