MyPlayers Magazine July 2021

PLUS

RUGBY FINANCE 101

PLAYER LOAD: THIS AIN’T CRICKET

www.myplayers.co.za

THE STEPHEN NELL COLUMN

CONTENTS Editor’s letter

READ NOW

Rugby Finance 101 READ NOW Player load: This ain’t cricket READ NOW Living in a bio-bubble

By Sango Xamlashe READ NOW

Reflections on a career ended by injury Q&A with AJ le Roux READ NOW

5 Things few junior players believe

By William Small-Smith READ NOW

My 6 secrets to success in professional rugby

By Julian Redelinghuys READ NOW

Forged by age and fire

By Handré Pollard READ NOW

Advice to my younger self

By Francois Louw READ NOW

The Stephen Nell Column READ NOW Women’s Rugby: Lights, camera, and lots of action

By Zenay Jordaan READ NOW 2021 MyPlayers Bursary Recipients READ NOW 2021 Provincial Player Representatives READ NOW MyPlayers Financial Services Player Benefits READ NOW The MyPlayers Player Benefit Programme READ NOW

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EDITOR’S LETTER

In the words of Naas Botha,

World Cup in November 2019, they will also experience life in a bio-bubble for the first time. Sango Xamlashe, Varsity Cup-winning captain of UP Tuks, reflects on his experiences of living and playing in a bio-bubble. While the context is different, we are all just human, and he might highlight something of relevance to you.

The main section in this edition of the Players’ Mag has been written by senior players for their junior counterparts – call it The Wisdom of the Sages.

Speak to any retired or seasoned rugby player, and they’ll tell you that they would have done many things differently as youngsters had they known then what they know now. I want to thank the following players for contributing their thoughts to this section: AJ le Roux, William Small-Smith, Julian Redelinghuys, Handré Pollard and Francois Louw.

Thank you also to Stephen Nell for providing a perspective from his vast career as a rugby journalist.

Zenay Jordaan highlights some positive developments in the women’s game, while also touching on areas that have room for improvement.

Good luck to everyone returning to the pitch in the coming weeks and months, especially to the Boks playing against the Lions. I was 11 years old during the 1997 Lions tour and cannot remember much of it. The same might be true for many of you who first experienced a Lions tour in 2009. Now imagine being Frans or Morné Steyn, being involved in consecutive Lions tours 12 years apart. What an exceptional story!

Seriously, boys – this hasn’t been an easy year, but rugby never fails to produce some of the most beautiful chapters in history.

Be present and enjoy the ride: 2021 will be remembered fondly for many a reason!

“Boys, seriously!”

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For more than a year now, we’ve repeatedly been speaking about the same things, many of you have been playing against the same players in distinct yet similar competitions, and others have patiently been waiting for an indication of when they’d be allowed be play competitively again. ’n Man raak moeg vir dieselfde goed, oor en oor. Seriously!

Yet, here we are at long last, standing on the brink of potentially one of the most memorable and historic years in South African rugby history. The British & Irish Lions are on their way. The Women’s Premier Division tournament is being played as we speak.

Our junior players will soon take to the field again, and the 2021 Currie Cup Premier and First Division competitions are just around the corner.

One could argue there’s much more to look forward to than to reflect on at this stage. Well, not entirely. In this edition of the magazine, we’re reviewing the commercials of professional rugby through a Covid-tinted lens. Few players have an in-depth understanding of how the business of rugby works, but all of you have been directly impacted by the toll that the pandemic has taken on the industry’s financials. We hope that this discussion will help you make sense of many of the events that unfolded in rugby since March 2020.

As the Springboks are about to play for the first time since winning the

M Y P L AY E R S T H E R U G B Y P L AY E R S ’ O R G A N I S AT I O N

Yours in rugby Marco Botha

@MyPlayersRugby

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FINANCE

FINANCE We’re almost halfway through a year that felt as if it would never arrive. The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted 2020 in ways no future expert could have predicted. Hurry-up-and-wait was a mantra we frustratingly became used to, and the immediate and far-reaching effects of Covid-19 on the industry’s commercials were severely felt. How does one make sense of all this?

By Marco Botha.

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When MyPlayers compiled its Voice Industry Research report in 2019, almost all players interviewed were oblivious to the commercial realities shaping the ebb and flow of their industry. And now, for the first time since rugby turned professional in 1995, your contribution to your employers’ income statement requires much greater sacrifices of you than those made on the rugby field.

You were asked to make financial sacrifices through reduced salaries. You were requested to stay fit without any certainty as to when you’ll be allowed to play again. And the Carling Currie Cup became the first domestic tournament in South Africa to be played throughout the summer. So, there went your Christmas break – another scenario players weren’t too keen on when asked how they’d feel about participating in competitions in the Northern hemisphere, unbeknown to them how quickly and under what circumstances that would become our new reality.

In this article, we’ll try to explain the past year’s sacrifices under three headings: 1. From which sources does professional rugby derive its income?

2. How were the industry’s financials impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic?

3. How did the industry respond to arrive at a relatively small net loss on national level?

nal io s s e f o r p s e o Where d m? o r f e m o c e m o rugby’s inc There are primarily seven sources of income, most of which are self-explanatory:

SALES OF SPORTS GOODS (licencing partners)

SPONSORSHIP INCOME

SALES OF BROADCASTING RIGHTS

› SuperSport and other global broadcasting platforms

INTEREST INCOME

ROYALTY INCOME

STADIUM TICKET SALES

TEST-HOSTING FEES

› Provincial unions are charged a fee for the right to host Springbok Test matches. For away Tests, SA Rugby charges the host national entity a fee for hosting the Springboks, and this is only payable once the Test matches have been successfully delivered.

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FINANCE

ry’s t s u d in e h t e r How we d by e t c a p im ls ia c finan ? the pandemic

A portion of SA Rugby’s income from broadcasting agreements gets distributed to the provincial unions. Consequently, the commercial wellbeing of the national governing body has a direct impact on the financials of its members and their commercial entities.

Springbok and international franchise activities account for 82% of all broadcast and sponsor income. These two significant revenue streams are negotiated and agreed upon with the understanding that our primary product – rugby matches – will be made available in a predictable manner as guaranteed means of providing content and exposure to the commercial partners. By not playing, the associated events, revenues and distributions will be severely impacted. These deliverables were easy to commit to in the years prior to the pandemic, and your contribution was to produce performances worthy of the millions of rands being pumped into the industry.

Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby, stated in the recently published SA Rugby Annual Report 2020 that we’re in the entertainment industry. Our product is rugby matches, and rugby has for a long time not been a sport that only gets played in the winter months. The industry is expected to produce a product of considerable commercial value for 365 days of the year.

“Without matches, we have nothing to sell and the audience – both commercial and public – loses interest,” Roux stated, setting the scene for the challenges the industry had faced in 2020 and continues to deal with in 2021.

“Without matches, we have nothing to sell and the audience – both commercial and public – loses interest”

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JURIE ROUX, CEO OF SA RUGBY

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ON NATIONAL level, commercial rights holders – such as the sponsors and broadcasters who account for 82% of SA Rugby’s income – have been largely sympathetic to the predicament the industry found itself in in 2020. The biggest contributors to South African rugby’s revenue did not withdraw their support regardless of the sport’s inability to fulfil on the content and exposure deliverables it was contractually bound to. This was not the case with all rights holders, and this reality was felt in 2020.

Although the Springboks were the only Tier 1 nation not to play a single Test match last year, 59% of the budgeted R1,3 billion income was secured.

The Springboks

were the only Tier 1 nation not to play

a single Test match last year SA Rugby’s 2020 revenue declined to R710 million compared to R1,29 billion in 2019. Why? › Zero revenue generated from the cancelled HSBC Cape Town Sevens event and Test matches. › Three new sponsorship conversations were shelved by companies who would likely have joined the SA Rugby portfolio. Some franchises experienced similar collapsed sponsorship negotiations. › Sponsorship revenue was down R66 million in value from the minimum target of R323 million set internally by SA Rugby. This was

GALLO IMAGES/SHAUN ROY

influenced by sponsors who had gone out of business, and others who just couldn’t sign on to an industry that could offer them no guarantees besides doing its best to survive. › Revenue from the sale of broadcasting rights declined by nearly half from R752 million in 2019 to R411 million in 2020 as television stations across the globe saw their content disappear. Locally, SuperSport largely sustained their commitment to rugby, but other international buyers of broadcasting rights exercised clauses that released them from their financial commitments due to a lack of content produced by South African rugby teams.

The loss of matches led to gross broadcast and sponsorship income declining to R669 million (initial income forecast was R1,3 billion).

However, in 2021, rights partners will not be as generous with their unconditional support, and the funds made available will be directly linked to delivery on rights agreements. No play, no pay.

ustry d in e h t id d w Ho mic? e d n a p e h t o t respond IN 2020, an industry task team consisting of SA Rugby, MyPlayers, SEU and SAREO, planned to cut R1,2 billion from the sport’s budget. How? › Reduce expenditure (49,7% of savings) › Cuts in other operational budgets (37,3%) › Salary reductions, impacting 1 396 people across the industry, including players (13%) Salary cuts amounted to 25% of total remuneration across the industry. Players, employees and officials earning below R20 000 per month were exempted from any cuts. Top earners agreed to cuts on a sliding scale of up to 43%. The industry’s total salary bill for the year prior to the agreed upon reduction in remuneration was roughly R490 million.

The total saving from salary reductions amounted

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FINANCE

to roughly R8 million per month for nine months, totalling around R70 million while the Industry Savings Plan was in effect.

Diligent cost-cutting and other savings measures introduced internally by MyPlayers resulted in players being paid their full commercial rights distributions for 2020 in February 2021. This included a top-up payment to the national men’s sevens players, who initially received a reduced commercial rights payment in 2020.

SA Rugby was forced to withdraw from the 2020 Castle Lager Rugby Championship due to ongoing complications related to the pandemic and serious concerns about jeopardising player welfare. This decision was taken in consultation and with the full support of MyPlayers. But it had commercial implications that needed to be accounted for in whatever plan the industry came up with to keep its head above the water.

The Industry Savings Plan resulted in an after-tax loss of just R7,9 m for SA Rugby – considerably smaller than the initial forecast. This enabled the industry to survive the pandemic during its first turbulent year.

Though we’re not back to pre-Covid levels, the national governing body is budgeting against forecasted revenue from broadcasting and sponsorships of R1 billion for 2021.

This could likely help reduce the financial strain felt by unions and franchises.

We’re not out of the woods yet. Although the Springboks will likely play a full calendar year’s rugby in 2021, the effects of the pandemic are still lingering. The cross-continental PRO14 Rainbow Cup competition was shelved, and the British and Irish Lions tour will be played in empty stadiums. This in itself will probably result in SA Rugby having to refund tickets to the value of more than R225 million purchased for the Lions tour.

Under normal circumstances, a Lions tour produces significant revenues for the hosting country with ticket sales contributing a meaningful share of the total income.

Considering the industry’s revenue forecasts for 2021, it puts considerable pressure on the sport when one must forfeit hundreds of millions of rands in revenue that still seemed like a dead certainty a mere 24 months ago.

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How did the industry try to keep its commercial partners happy? › Super Rugby Unlock provided broadcasters and other commercial partners content and exposure after a six-month shutdown. › The Green vs Gold match was also created to kick off the return to rugby and to honour partner rights and offer some exposure during these unprecedented times. › Empty venues created the opportunity to apply virtual branding in stadiums for the commercial partners of both SA Rugby and the competing provincial teams.

GALLO IMAGES/ASHLEY VLOTMAN

The relationships between professional rugby entities and their commercial partners are often publically criticised for a number of reasons, many of which stem from a belief that professionalism and commercial objectives are detrimental to the game.

Even some formidable former players have recently voiced their disdain at the commercial objectives driving the decision to go ahead with the Lions tour in front of empty stands.

But without commercial interest in the game of rugby, the sport would already have suffered a quick death in the mid-1990s. Commercial objectives enable us to play rugby, even in these difficult times. The income you sacrificed in 2020 made it possible for the industry to survive an unforeseen onslaught that could easily have decapitated professional rugby in South Africa. The World Champion Springboks and our international franchises drive 82% of the industry’s revenue.

From the above, you should be able to understand why it is so important for the industry to regain a sense of normality for the game to survive, and to do so, it needs to be conservative with its finances in the short term. Remember – no play, no pay. And even then, the decision was still taken

to withdraw from last year’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship. Commercial considerations will require of professional athletes to test their limits and to make sacrifices. But those considerations will never trump your personal wellbeing. It is MyPlayers’ role to see to that.

Ultimately, relationships determine the ebb and flow of this industry, as hostile as some of those relationships might appear to be at times. Relationships within the industry and with the benefactors of rugby enabled us to weather the storm up to this point. Your contributions were key in all this.

Even in the absence of immediate guarantees of deliverables, new sponsors have already signed on and existing partners renewed their commercial agreements with professional teams and entities.

This is a complex industry, and it is worth your while to understand some part of it. Never before have players been so deeply involved in and affected by industry decisions than during the past year and a half. May all of this eventually enable you to focus only on the game we all love.

Sources: Financial and commercial information sourced from SA Rugby Annual Report 2020

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PLAYER LOAD

CRICKET!

Compared to European sides, South African professional rugby teams played and travelled very little in 2020. For our national players, their player load will likely be considerably different in 2021, including time spent in hard biobubbles. The Springboks will (hopefully) execute a full Test schedule. From September 2021, our international franchises will compete as fullfledged participants in the new United Rugby Championship, and domestically, the Currie Cup First Division will run concurrently with the Premier Division for the first time in two seasons.

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MAXIMUM PLAYER LOAD IN 2020/21

FRANCE

ENGLAND

Top14 + Champions Cup + 6 Nations

Premiership + Champions Cup + 6 Nations

IRELAND/ WALES

SOUTH AFRICA

PRO14 + Champions Cup + 6 Nations

Super Rugby + Super Rugby Unlocked + Currie Cup Premier Division + Green vs.

Gold Showdown

GALLO IMAGES/STEVE HAAG

THIS AIN’T

THE LIFE OF A CRICKETER Ja, we know you didn’t opt in for the travelling schedule of an international cricketer. But just out of interest, this was the player load for a senior international Proteas men’s cricketer in the 2019/2020 season (Source: SACA):

INTERNATIONAL

TESTS

ODIs

T20s

INTERNATIONAL MATCHES

DOMESTIC (International players are not necessarily involved in all or any of these matches)

FOUR-DAY GAMES

ONE-DAY GAMES

T20 GAMES

DOMESTIC MATCHES

Typical number of tours per season (including IPL and other leagues) › 2019/20 Season: 5 Tours + the 2019 ICC CWC tournament

GALLO IMAGES/CARL FOURIE

› IPL: 6-week commitment

TIME AWAY FROM HOME

BETWEEN

4 AND 5

MONTHS

AWAY

from home per season (fluctuates from season to season)

Typical number of official commercial engagements per season An average of approximately 10 commercial engagements per season (majority of these would be shortform content pieces, with a couple of player appearances per season)

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IMAGE: CHRISTIAAN KOTZE

CLICK HERE TO READ WHAT SANGO HAD TO SAY!

IN

AB I

BUBBL E O-

LIV IN

BIO-BUBBLE

By Sango Xamlashe

On 31 May, Sango Xamlashe led University of Pretoria TUKS to their fourth Varsity Cup title in a victory over a formidable UCT Ikey Tigers side. This year, the Varsity Cup was played in three bio-bubbles during which teams had to play three games in eight days at a time (excluding the play-offs during the third bubble). Here, Xamlashe reflects on life in South Africa’s first bio-bubbled rugby tournament.

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BIO-BUBBLE

NOT BEING ABLE TO INTERACT WITH PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF RUGBY I generally like to interact with people that are outside the space in which I work. It negates doing the same thing with the same people all the time. I’m stimulated by seeing different things and hearing different perspectives and thinking.

RECOVERY WAS DIFFICULT Your body reaches a point where it knows it just has to be ready for the game. It was a mental thing. Your body is not ready, but you’re playing the next day, so in your mind, you have to be ready. You have no choice.

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STUDYING WAS DIFFICULT IN THE BUBBLE Although it was possible to study and the necessary facilities were provided, it was still tough. Picture yourself trying to study during a high school rugby tour. Your friends are around. Some of them aren’t really studying or having something to do, so they sit in your room and you start talking. As much as that is fun, you’re not really getting any work done and you end up procrastinating quite Also, watching a bit. a full two-hour lecture becomes a challenge because of the team’s full schedule.

You don’t get a lot of academic work done in a day.

This introduces another level of discipline in an already taxing environment.

IMAGE: CATHERINE KOTZE

THREE BIGGEST CHALLENGES

THREE STRATEGIES TO MAKE THE BEST OF THE BUBBLE SCENARIO

IMAGE: CHRISTIAAN KOTZE

MENTAL CONDITIONING We had a life coach from the outset of this journey in June 2020.

He helped us throughout the competition. We had Zoom sessions in which he prepared us for many possible outcomes. As we got closer to the business end of our season, it helped having that clarity by simulating situations, knowing that we had tools that would help us improve and adapt as the season progressed.

These sessions helped. We became used to this reality, and we knew we would be able to survive with or without a bubble. We created a sense of normalcy because of that.

ACTIVITIES When time allowed, we had team activities that were helpful in this trying time. We engaged in group and team activities that would take us out of this space to make things feel different.

Some evenings, we would have a braai rather than just another ordinary dinner at the HPC. That made a huge difference.

REGULAR MENTAL-EDGE EXERCISES Every day before breakfast, lunch and dinner, we’d do these two-minute mental edge and reaction speed exercises. That helped shape our mentality about the game and everything else that life in the biobubble entailed. Obviously, the reaction skills also helped improve our reaction time. Those two minutes before mealtimes eventually accumulated towards the end and helped us push ourselves over the line.

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QA &

Reflections on a career ended by injury On 27 April 2021, veteran Pumas hooker AJ le Roux suffered a career-ending injury.

He spoke to MyPlayers about the event, his career and the keys to unlocking a successful career in professional rugby.

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Your career in a nutshell I’m from one of the smaller Pretoria schools, Overkruin. I never had the opportunity to play Craven Week, and in 2009, I joined the Tuks Rugby Academy. After a few months, I was afforded the opportunity to train with the Blue Bulls’ U-19 squad, and that’s where everything started for me.

Through grace and plenty of hard work, I eventually played senior rugby for the Blue Bulls, Lions, Griffons, Free State, Griquas and the Pumas. I ranked up 90 caps for Griquas and was part of the team that won the 2019 SuperSport Rugby Challenge and reached the semi-finals of the Currie Cup Premier Division.

It was incredible to work with so many special people over the years. I created memories that will never be forgotten.

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An injury and advice from specialists culminated in your decision to retire from professional rugby in May 2021. Would you mind elaborating on the events that led to this decision?

On 27 April, I hurt my neck in a scrum session. I immediately felt excruciating nerve pain in my arm and lost all strength in it. My doctor performed cervical disc replacement surgery – a huge op, but everything went well and the doc was happy. Unfortunately, despite the successful surgery, I still won’t be able to take full contact again.

I would have loved to play until I was 35. That was always my plan. But this decision was taken on my behalf shortly after my 30th birthday. However, I must prioritise my health – there is a long, full life ahead of me after rugby.

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How are you dealing with this decision emotionally?

I don’t think any player is 100% okay after having to hang up their boots prematurely, especially if things happen as quickly as was the case for me. But under the circumstances, I’m doing surprisingly well.

The support I’m receiving from my wife, Monique, is next level. Having a strong support network is vitally important and something that doesn’t just appear out of thin air when you need support. These are rela-

tionships that one cultivates and nurtures throughout your life. Also, I believe that God lets things happen to us for a reason. He was present throughout my entire career, and I have no reason to believe that He will leave my side during this difficult time.

It’s important for players to look after their mental health. The Pumas and MyPlayers have people on whose support I can now rely, and I’m deeply grateful for that.

4

Experiences such as yours lead one to introspection and to revisiting one’s career.

Knowing what you know now, what are the habits that you have observed among players who were successful in the professional rugby industry? › Firstly, respect. Successful players always have respect for their coaches, teammates, themselves, and also for the game of rugby. › Secondly, successful players are always coachable.

No one knows everything there is to know about rugby or the professional environment. You must be willing to learn something new every day. › Then, you must be goal orientated and driven – on and off the field. Successful players always strive to become better. They are willing to make sacrifices to achieve their goals. › Successful players know how to handle pressure.

Rugby is a high-pressure environment, and that’s what made the game so enjoyable to me. Pressure can make or break you. It’s always there, so you must equip yourself with the necessary tools to deal with it. › Lastly, a successful player is hard working. Rugby is an incredibly demanding sport, and if you’re not willing to work hard, you won’t make it very far.

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If you could have a conversation with your 18-year-old self, what would you say to him?

What things might you do differently with the benefit of some sage advice from the 30-yearold AJ? I would tell him to not take notice of other people’s opinion of himself. You should listen to advice and learn from criticism, but no one’s opinion will or should ultimately define who you are as a person.

I’m a hooker, and there was a time early in my career when a coach told me I cannot properly throw in at a line-out. That was my primary function, and I had never before struggled with that.

I worked incredibly hard to improve my throwing, but I kept struggling because I believed what that coach had told me. When I left that team, I consult-

ed one of my previous coaches. I asked him to teach me to throw in again. He looked at my technique and said the issue was not technical but mental – it was all in my head. I never had any issue with my line-out throws again after he said that.

One coach’s opinion does not define you as a person. It’s just his opinion.

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What are your plans for the future, or is it too early to tell?

In the short term, I’m focussing on reaching full recovery from my injury and op. My rehab is going well, and I’ve already tossed the neck brace aside (with my doctor’s consent!). Ideally, I’d like to be active again very soon.

In the medium term, I have a couple of properties and AirBnBs that are keeping me busy. Also, my wife recently started a new job, and I really want to be there to support her in this new endeavour. She has had to make a lot of sacrifices in support of my rugby career. Being there for her now is just fair, and something I sincerely want to do.

In the long term, I would really like to become involved in full-time rugby coaching. I have a massive passion for coaching and for working with people.

While I was still playing, I was fortunate enough to be involved at a couple of schools, clinics and clubs.

I loved every minute of that, and if I could give back to rugby in that way, I’d love to.

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If we step away from the rugby field for a moment, what are three of your most precious highlights stemming from your career in rugby?

My family away from the field. For as long as I can remember, my family have attended every single one of my matches. It’s something I will miss but that I will forever treasure.

Also, my wife. I didn’t meet her as a result of rugby, but rugby allowed me the opportunity to marry her.

Lastly, to dream. Rugby gave me the opportunity to dream. As a six-year-old, I started dreaming of playing professional rugby. At the age of 12, I had to do a school assignment about what I want to do when I grow up. Obviously, I said I wanted to play rugby. A surprisingly small number of kids with similar dreams ultimately end up reaching that goal.

Now that I’ve retired from rugby, I can look back on a career with so much gratitude for what this wonderful game has given me. I now have new dreams about the future, and that excites me tremendously!

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F

FIVE WILLIAM SMALL-SMITH

It takes more than talent alone to succeed

Having a long and successful rugby career takes more than just being talented. Hard work, mental toughness, rehabilitation of injuries, your team’s performance and some luck all play a part in your career.

The only opinion that matters is your own

Your coaches, teammates and supporters will all have an opinion about you.

Whether they think you are great or poor, it is all subject to change. Therefore, the only opinion that you should take to heart is from the man looking back at you in the mirror.

The WHY matters more than the WHAT Find your motivation and hold on to it! Make sure it is something that no one can touch, such as family, brotherhood or Grace. Money, fame and “success” cannot sustain you in the long run.

Things few junior players believe

By William Small-Smith

If it is only about rugby, you are missing the point

As you live and breathe rugby, it takes up so much of your time and effort that one can become trapped in thinking that it is the most important thing. Always remember that how you handle yourself, treat other people and face the challenges that will come across your path are more important. Your actions on the field will speak of who you are and what you believe in.

It can all end in an instant Rugby is an amazing game to play, and it is a privilege to do what you love and be paid for it. All things end and even rugby will not last for ever. Thus, be thankful every day, bring what you have to the table, and make certain that one day when you look back, what stands out is your effort each day.

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JULIAN REDELINGHUYS

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My 6 secrets to success in professional rugby Julian Redelinghuys had a colourful rugby career that included playing for the SA Schools side, Junior Boks, Sharks, Lions and the Springboks. Looking back on a decade of professional rugby, he identifies 6 secrets to success.

1. It’s not about me.

The game is bigger than that.

3. Love what you do.

4. To be among the top 1%, you have to do what 99% of people don’t want to do. You don’t grow in your comfort zone.

5. To improve, always remain teachable and curious – chase the 1%.

6. Everything that happens to me,

happens for me.

M Y P L AY E R S T H E R U G B Y P L AY E R S ’ O R G A N I S AT I O N

Photography credits @ Marianne Dednam

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It’s a long road to the top but the view, in the end, will be well worth the journey.

Many thanks to each and everyone who took the time to read this brief article.

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Handré Pollard was plucked from the school benches at Paarl Gymnasium as an 18-year-old to help fuel the Junior Springboks to World Championship glory in 2012. He joined the Bulls the following year and had to deal with loads of pressure and expectations heaped on the new wunderkind of South African rugby. He represented the Junior Boks on three occasions, captaining the side in 2014. Between high school and making his Super Rugby and Springbok debut, he spent a Varsity Cup season playing inside centre for Tuks. How does a young player manage these expectations and the disappointments that are par for the course in professional rugby?

In his own words …

FORGED BY AND AGE

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D FIRE

By Handré Pollard

IMAGES: THYS LOMBARD

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GALLO IMAGES/STEVE HAAG

HANDRÉ POLLARD

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very player must understand that he’s running his own race on a career path unique to him. Too many young players expect too much, too soon.

I was privileged to get my opportunity at a very young age but for most players, that will not be their reality. You need to remain patient and work on your craft daily to be ready for the day your Big Opportunity comes. You need to be mentally and physically prepared for the challenge.

Personal challenges 2. It’s a mental game

I had my own challenges, and dealing with them came down to two things:

1. A solid support base

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Surround yourself with people who can guide you through the good and the bad that will necessarily be part of your rugby journey – family, senior players, coaches and friends. You see, in rugby, the good is really good, and the bad is dreadful. That’s life.

That’s rugby. And having a team of people who are always there for you is crucial. Not only on the good days, but especially during the bad ones.

M Y P L AY E R S T H E R U G B Y P L AY E R S ’ O R G A N I S AT I O N

Secondly, every position in rugby has its own challenges. As a flyhalf, 80% of your game is in your head. At school, factors like speed, strength and your stepping ability were the things that mattered. As a flyhalf progresses through the ranks of professional rugby, your mental game becomes the predominant decider of your success (decision-making, how you handle pressure, leadership, etc.).

Personally, I had to learn to compartmentalise things. You need to push and train yourself as early as possible to differentiate between those things that are truly important on and off the field, and those that are not. You need to learn to listen to what is important and what you should put out of your mind immediately in order to move forward – whether in a game, or in your career.

I think a young player will develop much quicker if, early on, they can learn what the important things are in their playing position.

Then, they must invest the time and energy to hone those abilities. If you can do that, you’ll develop much quicker and be ready for the day when your career, destiny and big break intercept each other.

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Things few junior players believe

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CDH’s partnership with Kieti in Kenya is not just about the expansion of our service offering. It is about forging the right partnership based on a shared passion, tenacity and client-centric approach to providing pragmatic yet innovative legal solutions. The CDH Kieti partnership provides our clients with the efficient and exceptional service they have come to expect from our firms, and a seamless service experience from Southern to Eastern Africa.

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By William Small-Smith

FRANCOIS LOUW

to my younger self

World Cup-winning Springbok and member of the 2019 Bomb Squad Francois Louw lists eight things he wishes he had applied himself more to during his playing days.

Read as much as you possibly can. There is a vast amount of free information out there and it will give you remarkable perspective.

TIME:

You have more time on your hands than you think. Enjoy time but make it work. Don’t waste away the hours.

GALLO IMAGES/STEVE HAAG

ADVICE

READING:

DEVELOPMENT:

Never stop learning and upskilling yourself. Keep growing and expanding. It’s a habit that you can continue long after the game.

PEOPLE:

Create relationships and take interest in others. Build your network.

It’s amazing how much you can take from that. Everyone has a story.

HAVE A PLAN:

Set goals and targets, then throw everything you have at them. Whether career, personal, financial or whatever else.

Continuously visualise your goal.

PLAN B:

MONEY:

Understand it!

Don’t work for money but make money work for you. Familiarise yourself with its principles. Explore the effects of compound interest.

Have one and know what it looks like. Take control of your journey.

Don’t forget to laugh!

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THINGS THAT ARE

ALWAYS TRUE IN PRO RUGBY

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THE STEPHEN NELL COLUMN

1. Springbok grit No matter how down and out or downtrodden they are, the Springboks can be an unstoppable force on any given day. Just cast your mind back to the World Cup final in Japan. England would win by 20, an English journalist predicted. As it happened, the Springboks, in their much-loved guise of underdogs, won by 20. It was 1995, when the Bokke edged the star-laden All Blacks, all over again ... met skop!

Indeed, the men in Green and Gold have perfected the art of the backs-to-the-wall job. They have lost to Italy and Japan, but conceded the sum total of 30 points and no tries in three World Cup finals. Who knows what goes on in their heads.

4. Amateurism – for better or worse You don’t have to look far and wide in the rugby world for poor administrators. And poor leadership always has the potential to translate to the playing field. Those leaders also happen to earn stipends and in some cases even directors’ fees. But then there’s the flip side – the down-to-earth nature of most rugby players irrespective of their profile, Bulls and Stormers supporters mingling and braaiing together outside Loftus, supporters not having to be barricaded inside stadiums, etc. Perhaps it’s all down to rugby only having been professional for 25 years, but those values remain and long may the good ones be preserved.

2. Hard work pays Whether it’s Marcell Coetzee knuckling down to get himself noticed, having not attended a top rugby school, or Jacques Nienaber burning the midnight oil to hatch another plan that will frustrate the world’s best attacking players, things happen for those who are prepared to put in the hours. Similarly, team culture, an essential ingredient of high performance, only exists within the context of hard work, whether it be on the training field or off it, in mapping out your values and holding one another accountable. In that regard your attitude – towards yourself and the player next to you – determines your altitude.

5. Too much of a good thing There was a time, not too long ago, when people enjoyed going to Super Rugby games and there would not be space for a mouse in the stadium during a Currie Cup final. What happened? Simple: The inability to embrace the concept of “less is more”. The Super12 was indeed a super competition, but should not have expanded to the Super 14 and especially not beyond that. The rationale was that the more rugby there is to broadcast, the more money will flow into the system. Not true.

The rugby needs to be good and the competition structure sensible. But “less is more” is a lesson not easily learned.

3. You still can’t beat the ref Twickenham, 3 November 2018: Owen Farrell knocks André Esterhuizen’s lights out with a sharp-shoulder tackle. It’s a foul from all angles but Angus Gardner, with the benefit of technology to help him get it right, decrees that everything was within the laws.

And so, instead of the opportunity of a winning kick for the Boks, it is in the record books that England beat South Africa 12-11. Fact is, Gardner didn’t have the cahunas to award a late penalty in front of 80 000 English fans. And let’s not go into the details of Bryce Lawrence who was named New Zealand’s referee of the year after blowing the Boks out of the 2011 World Cup final. But dare call a spade a spade and the only accountable one would be the player or coach that spoke his mind. So just bite your lip.

6. No one is irreplaceable This is a life lesson that spans across all industries but holds especially true in South African rugby.

We were still wondering whether we’d ever see the likes of a Springbok hooker like Bismarck du Plessis again when Malcolm Marx announced himself. And Malcolm didn’t even start the World Cup final. Tendai Mtawarira will always be fondly remembered, but Steven Kitshoff in time may well eclipse Beast’s feats in the No 1 jersey. So, don’t get too stressed when you read that the Springboks are facing a “crisis” without one or even two of their World Cup locks against the British and Irish Lions. Time has taught us that there will always be another giant of South African rugby.

Stephen Nell is the senior rugby writer at Netwerk24 and has been covering the game since 1994, including World Cup tournaments and countless Springbok tours. His favourite team is the Bomb Squad and favourite player, Steven Kitshoff. He grew up a Western Province supporter, but has a grudging respect for the Blue Bulls.

Note: The views of the columnist do not necessarily reflect those of the Players’ Organisation.

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Lights, camera, and lots of action WOMEN’S RUGBY

Zenay Jordaan serves the women’s game in many capacities, among them being a board member of MyPlayers.

Some recent developments in women’s rugby make her excited about the future. She highlights those, as well as areas with room for improvement.

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WOMEN’S RUGBY

FIVE DEVELOPMENTS

THAT EXCITE ME: 1. At last, a group of women’s fifteens players have received contracts. Before this development, only women’s sevens players were contracted by SA Rugby.

2. The interprovincial Women’s Premier Division competition underwent a major overhaul which gives players the opportunity to play in ten consecutive games. This move will do wonders for the women’s game.

3. Part of the abovementioned overhaul includes TV and streaming broadcasts of women’s matches. This brings about two things: It shows the general rugby-loving public that we do indeed have women’s rugby in South Africa. Secondly, it gives young girls something to aspire to – we need girls to fall in love with the game earlier in their lives.

4. For the first time, contracted women’s players have a labour union (Sarpa) that looks after them off the field. MyPlayers, as the umbrella commercial entity, is also assisting these players to plan for life after rugby.

5. SARU deserves a lot of credit for the effort they are investing in changing the face of women’s rugby in South Africa.

FOUR AREAS WITH 1. We need to invest more in the early development of rugby skills at grassroots level. A primary and high schools league for girls could do wonders for the game as players would be exposed to the basics of the game at an earlier age.

2. A Women’s Rugby Academy could look after talented players and create a pipeline / feeder system for the senior Springbok Women’s fifteens and sevens teams.

3. Social media are powerful tools to create exposure and awareness. Women’s rugby could greatly benefit from more “airtime” on these platforms.

4. Our women need to play more international matches against quality opposition.

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2021 BURSURIES

BURSARY RECIPIENTS MyPlayers annually awards bursaries to members of the organisation who are pursuing or want to pursue professional or other tertiary qualifications as part of their personal development for a life after rugby.

R500 000 will be allocated to bursary holders this year.

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2021 PLAYER REPRESENTATIVES

PROVINCIAL PLAYER

REPRESENTATIVES After the retirement of former SARPA President Chris van Zyl, two new player representatives* were chosen to represent you at MyPlayers. Thato Mavundla also made a comeback for the Griffons.

Here is your current committee of player reps for 2021:

Ivan van Zyl (Blue Bulls)

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Thurlow Marsh (Boland)

Craig Barry (Cheetahs)

Ross Cronjé (Golden Lions)

Thato Mavundla (Griffons)

Ederies Arendse (Griquas)

Francois Kleinhans (Pumas)

Johny Meyer (Sharks)

*Marquit September (SWD Eagles)

HP Swart (Leopards)

*Ernst van Rhyn (Western Province/ Stormers)

Impi Visser (Springbok Men’s 7s)

Zenay Jordaan (Springbok Women)

M Y P L AY E R S T H E R U G B Y P L AY E R S ’ O R G A N I S AT I O N

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FINANCE

FINANCIAL SERVICES PLAYER BENEFITS We oversee and manage all aspects relating to your core financial products.

PENSION FUND

By contributing to the Players’ Pension Fund, you ensure that you have tax-effective financial security once you retire from rugby.

LIFE COVER

In the event of your death, your elected Players’ Pension Fund dependants will receive a compulsory minimum lump sum payment of R150 000. You can elect to increase your life cover to a maximum of R4 million.

FAMILY PROTECTOR

By contributing to the Players’ Pension Fund, you receive family protector cover, which includes: ›› Funeral base benefit ›› Educational benefit for your children in the event of your death ›› Health premium waver in the event of your death or disability

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M Y P L AY E R S T H E R U G B Y P L AY E R S ’ O R G A N I S AT I O N

MEDICAL AID COVER

You are required to have medical aid cover to play professional rugby. We appoint specialised advisers to assist you in selecting the best plan suited for your needs and to negotiate exclusive underwriting benefits.

GAP COVER

CATASTOPHIC INJURY BENEFIT

Payable when you are unable to continue playing rugby AND incapable of fulfilling any other occupation due to injury, illness or an accident. ›› 3X: Calculated as three times your annual salary: › Limited to R6m but not less than R1m if first contracted after 1 January 2017 › Limited to R12m if first contracted before 1 January 2017

You are provided with Gap cover, relevant for most in-hospital expenses that are not covered by your medical aid.

MOMENTUM MULTIPLY REWARDS

You receive free membership to the Momentum Multiply Premium Rewards programme.

SHORT-TERM INSURANCE

Protects you from financial loss in case of burglary or theft, damage or accidents, or natural disasters.

INJURY BENEFIT

Covers your income should you be unable to play for a certain period of time due to injury, illness or an accident (exclusions might apply): ›› 18 months: Minimum injury benefit from date of incident without recovery ›› 24 months: While in contract, maximum benefit period without recovery ›› R5 million: Maximum annual salary covered (top-up available to increase cover above R5m)

FOR ACTIVATION AND MORE INFORMATION:

FINANCIAL & TAX ADVISORY PANELS

Puts you in touch with experts from established and respected financial and auditing companies. They will deliver personalised support and advice customised to your financial needs.

CONTACT Isma-eel Dollie Email

084 484 4412

David de Villiers Email

082 460 2803

OR Scan the QR code and review the Player Group Benefits brochure.

M Y P L AY E R S T H E R U G B Y P L AY E R S ’ O R G A N I S AT I O N

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BENEFIT PARTNERS

PLAYER

BENEFIT PROGRAMME

PUMA DEAL: Receive 45% in-store discount on all Puma clothing and shoes.

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HOW TO CLAIM THIS BENEFIT: Use our promo code (MyPlayers) at their online checkout.

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HOW TO MAKE A BOOKING: Send Ofentse

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Rapoo from the Tsogo Sun team an email at ofentse.rapoo@tsogosun.com with MyPlayers as subjectline or give her a call on 011 510 7837.

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HOW TO CLAIM THIS BENEFIT: Identify yourself as a MyPlayers/SARPA member when arriving at Automotion.

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HOW TO CLAIM THIS BENEFIT: Send a message to the MyPlayersAffairs division via app for an application form. Once a member, you can liaise with Multiply directly on 0861 866 600 or multiply@momentum.co.za.

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HOW TO CLAIM THIS DEAL: Email Gys van Zyl on gys.vanzyl@puma.com or call him on +27 83 678 6512. Identify yourself as a MyPlayers member.

HERTZ DEAL: Receive discounted rates for car rental services, free kilometres, and Super Waiver cover.

NOTE: Review the relevant rates and deals by viewing the PDF document linked to Hertz on the MyPlayers app (MyBenefits tab).

HOW TO CLAIM THESE BENEFITS: Get a quote or make a booking by dialling their call centre on 021 935 4800 and select Option 1. Alternatively, you can email Hertz at res@hertz.co.za. Submit our CPD number, 891675, to their reservation department in order to receive a quotation. If you accept and go ahead with the quote, the reservation department will proceed to complete your booking with your special membership benefits.

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BENEFIT PARTNERS Schmidt at engage@123cy.coach or 064 141 4341 for application, registration and payment administration.

Initial intake restricted to 20 players.

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HOW TO CLAIM THE DEAL: Contact Hilana Claassens at hilana@my-players.com or 071 470 4901.

Download the MyPlayers App

for all the latest information and to view your personalised player profile.

OTHER PARTNERS

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For more benefits, get in touch with MyPlayers Player Relationship Manager, Isma-eel Dollie via ismaeel@my-players.com or 084 484 4412, or for educational benefits, contact National Player Development Manager, Hilana Claassens, at hilana@my-players.com or 071 470 4901.

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