MyPlayers Magazine (September 2020)

MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2020

THE RUGBY PLAYERS’ ORGANISATION

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“PANDEMIC MAY CHANGE GAME FOR THE BETTER” - RONNIE COOKE

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ISIXHOSA COMMENTARY GONE WILD - SIMNIKIWE XABANISA

CONTENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

EDITOR’S LETTER CLICK TO READ

CLICK TO READ

FINDING YOUR

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A LK! TA AGENT 006

A-GAME

T N GE

ANTHONY JOHNSON

#RUGBYUNITES

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THE SIMNIKIWE XABANISA COLUMN CLICK TO READ

AGENT 007

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AGENT 005 RONNIE COOKE CLICK TO READ

JAMES ADAMS

MyPlayers’ Organisational Structures

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MyPlayers’ Players Benefit Programmes CLICK TO READ

PASSING ON THE PASSION CLICK TO READ

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Shaking the

babelas

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

This year has been like a punch with just too much Vodka in it for us to make sense of the night before. As we now begin to open our eyes on the morning after, we realise it wasn’t even a big bowl, but, damn, it was and still is a foultasting concentrate. How do we shake this babelas?

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We haven’t played any rugby, yet rugby has been top of mind for just about every day we’ve been spending at home. When will we play again? In what competition will we play? What does my future hold? And more significantly, will I still be able to look after my family?

For some, the effects of the lethal punch were worse than for others, but the uncertainty has left us all punch drunk – players, administrators, staff, agents, everyone. And even as we now give our first steps back towards some form of normality, the babelas remains.

For the April magazine, we asked players to produce the content. This edition has been tougher to compile. What do we write about? When I asked one of the player reps, he said, “Just don’t do a lockdown review, please! We have all recorded home fitness videos for social media, we have all heard how other players spend their time away from the game. To be honest, we’re gatvol.”

What players do need, however, is less uncertainty. Can we focus on the future, he asked me.

Yes, we can. Perhaps not in the concrete sense that the player is hoping for. At the time of writing, we don’t yet know what the competition formats and participation for 2021 will look like. The only certainty is that the British & Irish Lions Tour is going ahead, and that’s a massive highlight on an otherwise fluid calendar for the new year.

So, how could we address the need for certainty, in other words, what is the Cream Soda to the Covid-19 babelas?

The lead article for this edition was written by the world-renowned mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton. He asks a simple question – how do you as an individual and a team emerge ahead of the Covid curve now that we’re resuming life in the new normal? How do you find your A-game?

Paddy suggests six ways you can do that. Sitting back and waiting for better days is not one of them.

It comes down to controlling the things you can control. This is a powerful idea and one we all need to embrace – we’re not out of the woods yet, but we can climb to the top of the highest trees and search for the light.

What the pandemic has also forced us to do, is to reflect on our own lives and importantly, to do so by understanding our lives and industry in the context of the world at large. Professional rugby does not function in isolation from the rest of the world.

In this regard, we asked your agents to provide a useful perspective on rugby from their side of the table – all in an attempt to make sense of the hangover effect of too much Vodka-19 on our heads, minds and lives.

There’s also some good news. Stefan Terblanche writes about the great work the South African Rugby Legends Association is doing. The main point from Stefan’s article is to get you to think about an important question as the season finally gets going and as the careers of some players come to its close: How do you pass on the passion? This touches on one of the ideas in Paddy’s article – designing your legacy.

Lastly, Sim Xabanisa wrote a beautiful piece on the nicknames SuperSport’s isiXhosa commentators have given many of you guys. We all know about Steven ‘The Spicy Plum’ Kitshoff, but there’s much more where that came from.

Yes, this isn’t a thick magazine, but like that punch, it’s concentrated. Hopefully not with more Vodka, but with a dash of hope, perspective and laughter as we now strap on our boots and step back into the light.

Yours in rugby Marco Botha

@MyPlayersRugby

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FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

A time to reflect on

what matters most

By Chris van Zyl (SARPA President)

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

Upon reflection, 2020 will most certainly be a year that won’t be soon forgotten.

Covid-19 has impacted us all and we have had to adjust our behaviour and how we interact with each other.

In that sense, the pandemic has undoubtedly made us aware of the fact that we have for a long time taken a lot for granted. Just about every facet of our daily existence has been disrupted and threatened – from our livelihoods to the lives of our loved ones.

In saying this, no industry or individual has not been affected. We’re all in this together. But I’m not downplaying our personal experiences.

The uncertainty has been one of the more difficult aspects that we as an industry has had to deal with.

Fortunately, we are now returning to play, which has settled some of the built-up anxiety of the players.

Yet, much about the rugby industry remains uncertain, with participation in international tournaments still to be confirmed.

A strategy that we at the Stormers have been using to keep us focused was to put emphasis on the elements we could control. Taking it week by week, we focused rather on metrics that were relevant to our training sessions as a stimulus to keep us going.

TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER I want to take the opportunity to commend all the individuals that were involved in the industry-wide salary reduction agreement. We have been able to ensure that the industry can survive a time where our ultimate product has not been produced for over six months. Significantly, the decision was also taken to ensure that those who earn less than the annual R240 000 were completely protected from the Covid-19 impact. While the reality of having our income reduced was unpleasant, this latter point does pay testament to the care and thought that moulded the agreement.

There may not be too much positivity involved with this industry shutdown, but my one small hope

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is that all the players would have had some time to consider the volatility of the industry and furthermore, life without rugby and potentially, life after rugby. The more we realise the importance of taking active steps during our careers to look after oneself after the career, the better we will all be off.

SARPA As the newly elected president of the SARPA board, I have committed to act in the best interest of all the players, all the time. From the outset, it was clear to me that the next six months will be a vital time for us as players within the industry. Rugby in South Africa and across the globe is at a pivotal place, and I will do my best to ensure that the players’ interests are well looked after.

My hope is that I will serve the position with as much success as Warren Whitely has done. I have learnt a lot from Warren and specifically the way in which he conducts himself on and off the field, and more recently, in the boardroom. On behalf of our players, I want to thank him for his service.

SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO With the conclusion of the 2020 calendar year set to include some long-awaited local rugby, there is lots to look forward to in 2021 as well. With the dates for the Lions Tour set, our country will again host one of the most remarkable sporting fixtures in the world. It only hits our shores every 12 years.

I still speak to my brother Anton about his experience in playing against the Lions in 2009 often, and he still ranks it up there with one of the most special rugby fixtures to be a part of.

Above all, regardless of what the future holds, let’s just remind ourselves of how special the bonds, friendships and experience are we have gained from being professional rugby players. If nothing else, let’s appreciate each other and what we have even more. This year has given us a timely reminder of how quickly the game we love and all that comes with it, can be taken away without warning. Let’s use this time to reflect on what matters most in life.

@MyPlayersRugby

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A -GAME

During lockdown, PADDY UPTON set out to answer the question, “What is the most important requirement going to be for individuals, sports teams and organisations as they navigate their way through and beyond lockdown?”

Here, he defines the key aspects to finding your A-game.

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S WE CONTINUE TO NAVIGATE THROUGH and beyond lockdown, some individuals, teams and organisations will thrive, a larger group will be treading water in survival mode, hoping or waiting for things to change or get better, and others will unfortunately sink.

We’re already seeing previously narrow gaps between close pre-Covid rivals opening into wide chasms. Australia was one of the early southern hemisphere sporting nations to return to competition, and already in AFL and NRL, there are unprecedentedly large gaps between teams that were previously neck-and-neck.

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

FIN

DIN

GY OU R

PADDY UPTON

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PADDY UPTON In the recent Champions League Football quarters, Barcelona suffered their worst defeat in 80 years by losing 8-2 to Bayern München.

The same is likely to happen in other sports, including rugby, with teams and individuals pulling way ahead of close rivals.

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

THIS SPELLS OPPORTUNITY! So, how do you ensure you are Bayern München and not Barcelona? How does one capitalise on the current and very real opportunity to leave your rivals in the dust?

At first glance, the answer seems simple. As athletes, what’s required is that we do what we always do when approaching a key period of a game or season. We need to bring our A-game, to rugby and our lives overall, which is possibly more important now than ever before.

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IT’S A MYSTERY But, bizarrely, although we often use the term in sport, it turns out that very few people, including top athletes, know what an A-game actually is.

I asked some of our country’s top rugby players and some of the best cricketers, surfers, hockey players and golfers in the world.

None could fully agree nor offer a comprehensive answer regarding what the main aspects are that make up an A-game. In the year 2020, even Google can’t define or make explicit what an “A-game” is (check for yourself).

THE MYSTERY REVEALED Two months of interrogation led me to proposing six fundamental building blocks of our A-game, with a bonus seventh component over which we have scant control – thus, I leave it as “the bonus”. You may well add more building blocks of your own, but I don’t think one can disregard any of these Big Six. The challenge I’m posing to you is to see where you can make just a 5% improvement to your own A-game, and move yourself another step closer to the front of the curve.

Paddy and Gary Kirsten: In 2012, the Proteas became the first team in history to simultaneously hold the World Number-1 ranking in all three formats of cricket. That’s A-game!

BUILDING THE FOUNDATIONS

OF YOUR A-GAME 1/

PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS The most successful people in the world get to the top because they do what they are exceptionally good at, most of the time. Your success has and will continue to be built upon your natural talents, those gifts you were given at birth and which require honing through hours of deliberate and dedicated practice. You have never been more skilled, knowledgeable and experienced than you are today. Use this.

FINE-TUNE YOUR VALUES Your values will be more consequential now than ever before. Pre-Covid, many pursued glitzy values such as materialism, power, status, fame, recognition, social media likes, etcetera. These are all self-oriented, they’re about “me”, which makes them less stable building blocks of tomorrow’s success than those that are about serving others or a cause greater than ourselves.

Examples of these include teamwork, collaboration, community, empathy, caring, customer service, fan engagement, respect – any value that delivers a better experience for others. Self-oriented values are still important, but not as our primary drivers.

“FIND” YOUR PURPOSE Whilst finding it is not easy, the reason purpose is so important is that it’s our most powerful source of inspiration, motivation, drive, endurance, grit and the like. If there was a reason for being born with the talents and gifts you have, and for the opportunities that you’ve been presented, what might this reason be? If you are not sure about your purpose, which few actually are (I’m not), here’s a life hack: If you play to your strengths and use these to serve a cause greater than yourself, you’ll be very close to being in your purpose. It can be that easy.

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YOUR

A-GAME With those three foundations of your A-game in place, now it’s about advancing on that A-game and towards success.

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DESIGN YOUR LEGACY Design the legacy you want to leave behind, focusing on your character. One way to do this is by asking, “one day when I retire, what do I ideally want people to say about me?”

View yourself through the eyes your teammates, your opponents, family, friends, fans, and anyone else who plays an important part in your life. Maybe even God or your chosen Higher Power. Once you have determined this, start living your legacy today. Every decision and action, however small, makes an impression, and the impression your character makes will outlast any material success you achieve, or loss you suffer.

TAKING STOCK OF YOUR LIFE Take stock of and then fine-tune all the key areas of your life.

You can do this using a simple “investment versus return” balance sheet for each area such as fitness, skill, game intelligence, mental game, diet, social life, family, finances, spirituality, etcetera. The “return” is how happy you are in that area, say on a scale of 1 to 10, and the “investment” is the time and energy you are investing in that area. If you want an improved experience, make small adjustments to your investments in that area. Take charge of your habits.

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EXECUTING

YOUR A-GAME 6/

EXECUTE YOUR A-GAME, EACH DAY The primary requirement for this is to manage the distractions and obstacles to your success. We all know the experience of arriving fully prepared and ready on match day, only to succumb to some mental or emotional distraction that undermines our performance on that day.

Where are your current mental or emotional distractions, and where can you reduce them by say 5%?

Distractions can be broken down to those that arise from thoughts about the past, present or future. What baggage are you carrying from the past that are like rocks weighing you down, such as low confidence, doubt, insecurity, guilt, resentment, anger?

Regarding future thoughts, two of the biggest mental obstacles to success for most athletes are pressure and fear. Both are concepts that we create for ourselves in our head, and which are driven by our relationship with “results”. The more important it is to do well, the more pressure we will feel. The more we really don’t want to lose, get dropped or get injured, the more fear arises.

Executing your A-game requires managing your unique distractions and mental obstacles to success, including (a) letting go of some past baggage, (b) smarter planning for future outcomes, both success and failure, and then (c) correctly focussing on and embracing the present moment with acceptance and non-judgement … knowing that regardless of your present-moment experience, it too shall pass.

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

ADVANCING

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PADDY UPTON

BIO Paddy Upton is a world-renowned performance coach.

His career in a nutshell: Helped coach India cricket team to World’s No 1 Test team and to win 2011 World Cup Performance Director for Proteas when they became the first team ever to simultaneously be World No 1 in all three cricket formats

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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FINDING FLOW When we have deep trust and confidence in our planning, preparations, skill level and our A-game, and have let go of dwelling on memories of the past or anticipating of the future, we give ourselves a decent chance of finding a deep connection onto the present moment. More by luck than design, at least for most, we might find ourselves in the flow state, or the zone, which I refer to as the seventh “bonus” aspect of our A-game.

In summary,

take responsibility for consolidating your unique A-game, based on all your existing skill, knowledge, experience and strengths.

Upgrade this A-game to be relevant for current times, and then use all this to serve others or a cause greater than yourself. Finally, reduce the distractions, negativity and bad habits that have the potential to undermine your journey through rugby, and life.

Sachin Tendulkar first represented India internationally at the age of 16. When India won the Cricket World Cup in 2011, The Little Maestro was still one of the hardest workers in the team.

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Mental coach to over 100 professional athletes from 11 sports across five continents Degrees from four universities, including Masters in Executive Coaching Professor at Deakin University (Melbourne)

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK

MOVE INTO FLOW

Head coach for five professional T20 teams across the world’s top leagues

Author of The Barefoot Coach: Life-Changing Insights From Coaching The World’s Best Cricketers (2019)

“A-game” is being offered as an in-depth workshop series for teams and organisations.

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C I M E D N A P CHANGE GAME MAY E H T R FO TTER BE AGENTS

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

From the heady days of the Springboks capturing the World Cup in 2019 to the dark and difficult times of Covid-19, the changes to rugby in 2020 could not have been more extreme as the sport grapples with the impact of the global pandemic, writes RONNIE COOKE.

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OOKING BACK AT THE last six months, it is clear that Covid-19 has had a massive influence on all our lives and rugby has not been left untouched. As an industry, it has come under tremendous financial pressure and it has forced us to take a hard look at the realities shaping our game.

To better understand why Covid-19 has made such an impact on the commercial side of rugby, we need to look at where the game generates its income.

Clubs and franchises rely on three primary income streams – broadcasting and TV revenue, commercial interests and match-day funds (mainly tickets and hospitality).

Without matches, all these revenue streams have suffered. Even when matches return, the no-spectator conditions currently in place mean ticket sales will still be zero, while the broadcast and commercial revenue may be reduced due to the inability to meet the terms of the original agreements.

An example of this effect was demonstrated when the Blues lost almost NZ$1 million (R11 million) after the Super Rugby Aotearoa final was cancelled.

Lined up against this lack of income, are the costs which franchises and clubs incur to ensure their survival.

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RONNIE COOKE

AGENT 005

O S AL AD RE

By far the most significant of these costs is the personnel payroll, which covers the salaries for players, coaches, management, backroom staff and ground staff.

These financial commitments create enormous pressure as, even during Covid-19, the costs remained largely unchanged because of the necessity to keep the squad in good shape and the facilities in top condition.

This resulted in staff who were considered “non-essential” being cut from the payroll, while players were asked to take salary reductions.

Impacting further on the players is the sad fact that those who are out of contract in 2020, may be left without a team going forward because it’s a simple way for a club to save cash, there being no obligation to retain a player.

This does not reflect on the ability of the player since he may still be good enough, but the severe strain on the club’s economy encourages them to look at all the ways in which they can reduce their costs.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? The biggest concern lies in the future and what happens over the next year. If spectators are unable to return to stadiums and if there is another break in next year’s calendar, sponsors may be reluctant to engage with franchises as there are limited opportunities for exposure.

This will further worsen the situation, particularly for smaller clubs who have limited resources of income.

Although it has created a negative financial impact, Covid-19 has also resulted in windows of opportunity.

As clubs and countries fight for periods in the calendar to stage their programmes, it creates the opportunity for all parties to come together at one table to develop a realistic plan for a “global season”.

When it comes to communications, clubs and franchises will have to consider using digital platforms for better interaction with fans. This will serve as a direct point of contact, possibly better than watching an anonymous match on TV, and the club can reach out by providing entertainment, interaction and relevant information to build their fan base.

We have also seen an increased interest from private equity firms in the sport, the backing of whom will give rugby as an industry a massive financial boost.

These private equity groups are seeking to invest in rugby to capitalise on events that attract millions of fans worldwide.

For example, CVC Capital has acquired a 27% stake in England’s Premiership Rugby and a 28% stake in the Guinness PRO14.

Other entities who have expressed interest are KKR, which is in talks with Rugby Australia, and Silver Lake Partners, which is holding discussions with New Zealand Rugby and potentially World Rugby.

Although we find ourselves in unprecedented times, I, for one, am extremely excited about the future of rugby.

This game we love so much has made an impact on all our lives and therefore it’s our responsibility, as stakeholders, to join hands to protect and grow this wonderful game for the generations to come.

A sport that has been played for nearly two centuries is not going to go down without a fight!

AGENT 006

AGENT 007

ANTHONY JOHNSON

JAMES ADAMS

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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

Ronnie Cooke is a former rugby player who represented the South African Under-21 side, Leopards, Cheetahs, Griquas, Brive, Grenoble, the Southern Kings and Eastern Province. After retirement, he became a player agent and currently manages talent for Esportif.

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AGENT 007

AGENTS

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

UPPING YOUR L A I C R E COMM VALUE AGENT 007 AS A JAMES PLAYER ADAMS JAMES ADAMS, Chairman of the SA Rugby Agents Association and MD of In Touch Sports, writes that players have much more commercial potential than they often realise. What are agents and brands looking for when they want to align their business with you?

WHAT DO AGENTS LOOK FOR WHEN SIGNING WITH A PLAYER? First and foremost, it comes down to playing ability and whether the player will kick on to be a regular Super Rugby or Pro14 player. Then, agents align themselves with players who they belief have the skill set and work ethic to become an international player.

Character traits are also of great importance as a player will fit in differently at different teams, both from a style-of-play perspective as well as personality. One needs to keep in mind that players come from vastly different backgrounds, particularly in South Africa. This is something I have personally relished, especially where I can add value by mentoring players, particularly around business, and being a sounding board to bounce off financial and investment decisions.

For players, it is worth aligning with agents who have the necessary skill set to not only negotiate contracts on their behalf, but who can serve in an advisory role for other decisions taken during their playing careers, including life after rugby and planning their retirement strategy. Those genuine player-agent relationships often last long after athletes have retired from playing professional rugby.

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AGENT 006 FORCES E H T H IT E FW THE GAM YOURSEL H E G IS U R O IA R TH FAMIL WEEPING S E G N A OF CH

COVID-19: A GLOBAL

WHAT MAKES A PLAYER MARKETABLE? To be marketable, both your on- and off-field performance and actions are considered.

Firstly, and most importantly, a player needs to deliver on the field and be a standout athlete.

That’s the primary motivation for potential sponsors to become interested in aligning their brand and business with your profile.

Secondly, how a player conducts himself off the field, both in his personal life as well as commercially, has a huge impact on a player’s marketability.

A player that aligns with the right brands, buys into their marketing strategy, and is involved in charity organisations (gives back for no fee) attracts bigger commercial brands in due course.

When such an opportunity comes your way, it is important to understand your part of the deal and that you give back to the sponsor. Promote their brand with the guidelines agreed upon, like posting on social media. Brands are parting with their money because they believe in the commercial power of your profile. It’s a business deal.

While many of these agreements are negotiated on an individual base, players who give brands a proper return on their investment make it likely that more brands will partner with you, and with other players. In that sense, if one player shows himself to be a great brand ambassador, it increases the commercial earning potential for all players as rugby becomes an increasingly attractive prospect for individualised deals.

As a company, we work and have worked with some great clients that have managed their commercial deals very well, and along with delivering on the field, have become a personal brand that teams and sponsors want to be associated with.

Therein lies tremendous commercial potential for and in players, and the ability to attract those deals go back to players performing on the field and living a responsible life off the field.

PERSPECTIVE Can Covid-19 please use the nearest exit? This is a rather polite way of expressing how ANTHONY JOHNSON and probably 99% of people feel about Covid-19.

The other 1% are those people who have cashed in on the pandemic. Rugby was not so lucky.

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NFORTUNATELY, FOR ME and you (the player) rugby has been significantly affected by the pandemic. It has been, without a doubt, the single toughest year I have experienced in seventeen years as an agent.

As a SARU - and RFU-registered and accredited agent currently living in France, I want to provide some insight into the state of rugby in Europe and what the international scene means for South African players.

Covid-19 has changed the way we live, and I believe that many of these changes will be permanent. Working from home has become the norm and meetings have mostly shifted to digital platforms. Travel, and more significantly international travel, has changed. Even the way in which people interact and simple things such as the way we greet each other have changed. In France, the bisous, which is the traditional way of greeting, is no more.

Will it ever return? Who knows?

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

James Adams has 20 years of experience as an agent covering markets from Japan, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, the UK and South Africa.

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AGENTS

As a contact sport, rugby is obviously a highrisk sport in terms of transmission of Covid-19.

This has resulted in a delayed return to play and puts the game at risk of being put on hold should case numbers rise once more. Unfortunately, there has recently been a resurgence in cases in Spain and France. It seems likely that we will see the same situation in other countries as the world tries to find a new normal.

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

UNITED KINGDOM Globally, rugby clubs have implemented salary cuts ranging from 6% to 60%. The average salary cut is sitting around 20% to 25%. In the UK, the average value of new contracts being offered is down by about 30%. Salaries in France have definitely decreased, but not to the same degree as the clubs in the UK.

main sponsor (Total), which cost them almost 70% of their budget, but luckily wealthy individuals and the city have come to their aid.

JAPAN Japanese clubs have not reduced player salaries too significantly. However, if they are unable to start their league as scheduled early next year, most players will lose 25% to 30% of their salaries.

Some players have unfortunately had their contracts with their clubs in Japan cancelled as they have been unable to travel to Japan to start their employment.

EFFECT ON CONTRACTING Pandemic-related travel restrictions have certainly resulted in clubs within Europe recruiting more locally based players due to player availability.

Financially, a stint up North is still beneficial to FRANCE players based in South Africa.

The French clubs were lucky as the government However, the landscape could change considtook over the paying of all salaries when the lockerably over the coming months and years. For down started. The State payed players 86% of their example, should more South African teams enter salary from the end of March until the end of June. the European competition environment, it would This helped the clubs substantially, but the loss of mean the end of split-season contracts with TV revenue and ticket sales has still been significant.

Japanese clubs and the ability for players to be French clubs are mostly owned by wealthy contracted for medical jokers or short stints with individuals and the cities in which they are situatEuropean clubs. This is something to take into ed contribute to their budgets. This has kept them consideration when renegotiating your contract relatively stable as cities such as Toulouse would and thinking about your career. never allow Stade Toulousain to go bankrupt.

For now, it is certain that the Covid-19 panTeams such as Pau have lost their demic has spared no one. The immediate discomfort may, however, lead to a new world Anthony Johnson order, so to speak. The profeshas been involved sional rugby industry has for 25 years remained more or less in the rugbyunchanged. But this familiar player agent animal may start changing its spots sooner than later, and it business since is in your interest as a player 2003 and is to familiarise yourself with the forces of change sweeping the owner of through the game right now.

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Le Cap Sports.

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ANTHONY JOHNSON

#RUGBYUNITE

#RugbyUnites

Passion, Pasta and Providence

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

On Saturday 15 August, MyPlayers joined the South African Rugby Legends (SARLA) at the #RugbyUnites initiative in Kenilworth, Cape Town. The Players’ Organisation donated R10 000 to SARLA’s hunger-relief drive. A number of current and former players joined in to fill a truckload of trollies.

Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, did the handover on behalf of the players. Among the volunteers were four of South Africa’s six test centurions: John Smit (MyPlayers board member), Bryan Habana, Percy Montgomery and Jean de Villiers.

Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, hands over R10 000 on behalf of South Africa’s rugby players. With him is Douglas Craigie Stevenson, CEO of Cell C, a #RugbyUnites partner.

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Bryan Habana got his son Timothy in on the action. Habana was one of four Springbok centurions in attendance.

They play together and they shop together.

Elton Jantjies and Siya Kolisi did a clean-up in isle four.

Springbok Women’s captain, Babalwa Latsha (right), and most of her teammates volunteered to do some shopping.

She shared a trolley with Cindy Booi.

John Smit had recollections of his primary school years when rugby and an orange slice at half-time were synonymous.

Blitzboks coach, Neil Powell, added some oil to the Legends’ fire.

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

Former Springbok captain and Survivor contestant, Corné Krige, and Rayzone from Rosmead Spar in Kenilworth.

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#RUGBYUNITE Rugby royalty! Did you know that Annelee Murray has been with the Springboks for an unmatched 260 tests? No wonder Isma-eel Dollie wanted his picture taken with her.

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

You’re never too young or too old to make a difference. Ian Small-Smith and His Royal Sageness Dale Santon.

Duimpie en Duimpie se maat, Langeraad: Marvin Orie and Damian Willemse.

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The man photobombing Eloise Webb and Mathrin Simmers got much more than he bargained for when he went to Spar that morning. There were more Springboks than in the Kruger National Park.

Percy Montgomery became the first Springbok to play 100 Tests, and he’s not done with rugby yet – still giving back to the game. With him is Rayzone from Rosmead Spar.

Oud, maar nog lank nie koud! Quentin Daniels, Isma-Eeel Dollie and former Springbok scrumhalf Norman Jordaan teamed up for this worthy cause.

Two former Western Province teammates again combining beautifully to make a difference in people’s lives: De Wet Barry and Isma-eel Dollie

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY LEGENDS!

Stefan Terblanche and the rest of the SARLA management deserve enormous credit for making this #RugbyUnites initiative possible. A thumbs-up to Stefan and the other Legends!

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

Elton Jantjies came down from Johannesburg after also throwing his weight in behind an earlier #RugbyUnites drive up north. Adnaan Mohamed (Son) and Stephen Nell (Netwerk24) cornered him for some words of wisdom.

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SA RUGBY LEGENDS

PASSING ON THE PASSION RUGBY LEGENDS SOUTH AFRICA

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

STEFAN TERBLANCHE writes that while rugby is a short-term career, the best players are really those who honour the game with a life-long commitment. What does the legacy of South Africa’s rugby legends look like?

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SING RUGBY AS A PLATFORM, the South African Rugby Legends Association (SARLA) touches the lives of almost 20 000 youths a year. Founded in 2001 and endorsed by SA Rugby, SARLA is a non-profitable company operating across South Africa to promote rugby.

SARLA’s two main objectives are to support player wellbeing by assisting with the needs and interests of former provincial and national players, and to develop rugby at grass-roots level nationally. We recognise that rugby and the positive values of the sport – like sportsmanship, leadership, loyalty and determination – can be powerful tools for social upliftment in South Africa.

WHO ARE THESE LEGENDS?

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The Legends that constitute SARLA include former players, coaches, administrators and referees, all of whom are giving back to the game that gave them so much. Their aim is to pass on the passion. Their enthusiasm and energy are changing lives for many South Africans. Access to training and certification programmes through SARLA provides Legends with increased employment opportunities. Partnering with SA Rugby, SARLA has accredited more than 400 coaches to date.

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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

Stefan Terblanche, CEO South African Rugby Legends

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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

SA RUGBY LEGENDS

WHAT DO THESE LEGENDS DO? SARLA drives several key initiatives. One of those is the Vuka Rugby Programme which gives children access to extracurricular activities to prevent them from becoming involved with gangs or drugs.

Since its inception in 2009, Vuka has become active in all 14 provinces with over 30 000 boys and girls from 600 schools participating. Vuka not only encourages youth participa-tion but also identifies rugby talent that can be cultivated through further training. Vuka rugby teams from the various zones participate in a Legends Cup tournament, an excit-ing opportunity for players to showcase their skills. It is a thrilling experience for the young players as the final games are played in rugby union stadiums.

Iqhawe Week is another meaningful SARLA initiative. The Under-15 Legends Iqhawe Tournament is a pathway for children from new or lower-league schools to participate in a high-profile rugby tournament. Having begun in 2013, the event is now equal in stature to the national youth weeks and draws on teams from all 14 rugby-playing provinces.

Coaches from top rugby-playing schools come to observe the talent and as a result, more than 30 youngsters have thus far been given full bursaries to such schools.

MyPlayers also awarded two bursaries at Iqhawe Week in 2018 and 2019, providing two talented young players – Gershwone Smith at Grey College (2018) and Siseko Mani at Durban High School (2019) – with full scholarships up until matric.

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Siseko Mani (recipient of the 2019 MyPlayers Iqhawe Bursary) & Sikhumbuzo Notshe

Gershwone Smit and Hilana Claassens from MyPlayers. Gershwone is the recipient of the 2018 MyPlayers Iqhawe Week Bursary.

Gershwone was also selected for the inaugural Iqhawe XV team last year, and played for the Eastern Province Iqhawe team in 2018. This incredibly talented and speedy wing is undoubtedly one to watch.

Siseko was Border’s number 8 in the 2019 Iqhawe team, and a player who has impressed with his talent.

As a further pathway to talent identification, SA Rugby invited SARLA to send a team, selected from the outstanding players at the Iqhawe Week, to play at the 2019 Grant Khomo Week. The Iqhawe XV team, coached by former Springbok Kabamba Floors, certainly impressed on their debut, winning two of their three matches and finishing second overall on points. Despite not being able to field a team this year due to the cancellation of the tournament, SARLA has

recognised the players they would have selected with a certificate of selection and they look forward to participating in the 2021 edition. #RUGBYUNITES More recently, SARLA’s #RugbyUnites campaign has taken the nation by storm. Sponsored by Cell C and Richmark Holdings, the #RugbyUnites initiative has distributed over 10 000 food parcels so far, to various charities around the country. The initiative has seen players and Legends from all over South Africa – including former Springbok heroes – pitch in to pack and distribute food parcels to communities in need during the national lockdown. In August 2020, MyPlayers also donated R10 000 to the initiative in Cape Town.

SARLA SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS:

The Chris Burger and Petro Jackson Players Fund, JAM SA, The Ryan Walker Foundation, The SA Surfing Legends Foundation, The Kirsty Watts Foundation, The John Mametsa Foundation, The Lizo Qhoboka Foundation, Bryan Habana’s Foundation and Barney’s Army (The John Smit Foundation).

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

The Under-15 Legends Iqhawe Tournament is a pathway for children from new or lowerleague schools to participate in a high-profile rugby tournament.

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TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SARLA > CLICK HERE

THE SIMNIKIWE XABANISA COLUMN

isiXhosa Commentary Gone Wild

What is in a name, asked Shakespeare.

That which we call

Simnikiwe Xabanisa is an award-winning sports editor and rugby writer.

Iplamu yesipayisi …

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

Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff was the first rugby player to twig the cult status of a nickname he barely knew existed. He came perilously close to breaking the internet last year by acknowledging the moniker given him by SuperSport’s isiXhosa commentators.

Up until then, the Stormers player’s known term of endearment was a relatively unobtrusive “Kitsie”. But then he found out about the name – inspired by his being the most famous red head in rugby – by which the black rugby community knew him and embraced it.

“Iplamu yesipayisi, aka Spicy Plum coming at you like...” he captioned a picture of him on the charge on Twitter on the eve of last year’s World Cup. He followed that up with “Just a pair of Spicy Plums” when snapped having a chat in the Bok changing room with another internationally renowned ginger, Prince Harry, after the victorious final against England.

Ever since we first heard the late Kaunda Ntunja and Makhaya Jack lay down a marker for uninhibited commentary with the first ever isiXhosa commentary gig 11 years ago, not only has it always

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been rugby commentary but not as we know it, it has also been about rugby nicknames not everyone’s familiar with.

In a way it was fitting that it was Ntunja who got the ball rolling on commentary as entertaining as it is over the top – a man so in love with drama that his theatrics extended to the pitch where he was known to demand that his teammates “give Ntunja the ball!”

His colleagues took it to the next level by renaming players left and right. Especially Lonwabo “Black” Mtimka, the former Border Bulldogs prop who forms one half of the “terrible twins” combo with former Springbok centre Kaya Malotana.

For instance, Franco Mostert blissfully labours under the misapprehension that his nickname is “Sous”. The truth is, according to Mtimka, he has two more viral pet names: “440” (as in

FRANCO MOSTERT:

‘440’ ‘UNIVERSAL SOLDIER’

THANK YOU

FOR THE ‘IPHIMPI ELINETYHEFU’ (The Venomous Cobra)

millilitres) and “Universal Soldier”. The former is a nod to Mostert’s utility value for the Boks as a lock and blindside flanker, meaning if he were a beer, he would be 440 ml as he is neither a dumpy nor a quart. “Universal Soldier” refers to an indefatigability and indestructibility rather similar to Jean-Claude van Damme’s in the movies with the same name.

Continuing the movie theme are Frans Malherbe and Kwagga Smith, who are known as Bud Spencer and “Wrong Turn”. While Malherbe’s is self-explanatory, the latter is apparently due to Smith’s passing resemblance to one of the characters in the horror film.

One of the earliest isiXhosa commentary nicknames to be bestowed was to Willie le Roux, who was called Majayivane (the dancer) because of his dancing feet during his Cheetahs days.

Bok captain Siya Kolisi’s appetite for a sickening collision has earned him the moniker iTruck yeSamente engena-reverse (cement truck with no reverse gear), while Trevor Nyakane’s sheer presence sees him saddled with Isinyakanyaka, which, when pared down to its basics, means “a lot”.

Some of the nicknames come from the players’ names, like Makazole Mapimpi and Aphelele Fassi.

The direct translation of the Bok winger’s surname is cobras, so he’s known as Iphimpi Elinetyhefu (The Venomous Cobra), while the young Sharks fullback shares a name with the late SA pop singer Brenda Fassie, hence his being named after her greatest hit, Weekend Special.

The overseas players are not exempt, as Ardie Savea, Beauden Barrett and Eddie Jones may find out one day. Savea is known as Ifufunyana (the demon), as any player unfortunate enough to have been at the receiving end of his tackle fight will attest.

Barrett is named Nogayoyo, a mythical figure from old isiXhosa fairytales. Nogayoyo was a magician, which makes sense for those of us who have seen Barrett produce rabbit after rabbit on the field.

Jones is named Dyakalashe (The Jackal), for obvious reasons ...

On 20 July, South African rugby lost one of its greatest voices when former SA Schools captain Kaunda Ntunja passed away after a short illness. In 2000, Kaunda became the first player of colour to captain the national schools’ side. He went on to represent the Free State and Golden Lions in senior rugby before taking up the isiXhosa commentator’s microphone at SuperSport. Here, he transformed the airways into theatre. His legacy will forever remain, and his words and enthusiasm will continue to inspire a new generation who fell in love with rugby because of him.

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

MAKAZOLA MAPIMPI:

MAGIC

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ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER In recent months, a number of changes have occurred within the structures of the Players’ Organisation. These are the people looking after your interests.

MYPLAYERS BOARD

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

Faffa Knoetze (Chairman)

Eugene Henning (CEO)

Pat Lambie (Non-Executive Director)

John Smit (Non-Executive Director)

Oupa Mohojé (Non-Executive Director)

Zenay Jordaan (Non-Executive Director)

Siviwe Soyizwapi (Non-Executive Director)

MYPLAYERS STAFF

Eugene Henning (CEO)

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Mandisi Tshonti (General Manager of Player Affairs)

Helga Esau (Finance Manager)

Isma-eel Dollie (National Player Relationship Manager)

David de Villiers (General Manager: Financial Services)

Hilana Claassens (National Player Development Manager)

Marco Botha (Communications Manager)

Welmarie van der Spuy (Senior Financial Manager)

Tracey Cable (Office Manager)

DAMIAN WILLEMSE

DEGREE: BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [BBA] “I must say my experience with Milpark thus far has been great.

My lecturers are amazing and are providing us with the best online service and always willing to help.”

PHILIP VAN DER WALT

DEGREE: MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [MBA] “Milpark is a very responsive and supportive institution. The fact that you study online is highly beneficial to me, because I can work anytime and anywhere, and the lectures are also live and online and don’t require me to go to a fixed venue.”

25% OFF ON ALL ONLINE SHORT COURSES AND 12.5% OFF FULL QUALIFICATIONS FOR MYPLAYERS MEMBERS.

086 999 0001 | MILPARK.AC.ZA MILPARK EDUCATION IS REGISTERED WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING (DHET) AS A PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION - NO 2007/HE07/003

SARPA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PROVINCIAL REPRESENTATIVES

Chris van Zyl (President)

Oupa Mohojé (Vice President; IRP Representative)

Schalk Ferreira

Ivan van Zyl (Blue Bulls)

Impi Vissers (Blitzboks)

Thurlow Marsh (Boland)

Zenay Jordaan

Pieter-Steph du Toit

Lizo Gqoboka

Billy Dutton (Border)

William Small-Smith (Cheetahs)

Ross Cronjé (Golden Lions)

Wendal Wehr

Thomas du Toit

Siviwe Soyizwapi

Thato Mavundla (Griffons)

Wendal Wehr (Griquas)

HP Swart (Leopards)

Schalk Ferreira (Kings)

Francois Kleinhans (Pumas)

Tera Mtembu (Sharks)

Jacques Alberts (Valke)

Chris van Zyl (Western Province)

Zenay Jordaan (Women’s Rugby)

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

TRUSTEES OF THE PLAYERS’ TRUST

Siviwe Soyizwapi

Oupa Mohojé

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Thomas du Toit

Ivan van Zyl

Frans Malherbe

Ross Cronjé

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

App is available in iOS and Android.

BENEFIT PARTNERS

PLAYER

BENEFIT PROGRAMME

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

On behalf of the professional rugby players in South Africa, we would like to thank our great benefit partners in apparel, equipment, visual training, health, accommodation, legal, courier, education, airfares, logistics, parking, leisure and events for their ongoing support and exclusive offerings to our members.

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

HOW TO CLAIM THIS DEAL: Identify yourself as a MyPlayers member by showing your ID or driver’s licence at the Puma pay point. If your name is not on the players’ list, please send a message to the MyBenefits division on the app.

TSOGO SUN HOTELS DEAL: Exclusive friends and family offer. What does this entail? A room at any Garden Court Hotel from only R1 100 per night including breakfast for two.

HOW TO MAKE A BOOKING: Send Ofentse 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.

EXALT SPORT DEAL: Receive 20% discount when you purchase their recovery products online.

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

STUTTAFORD VAN LINES DEAL: Receive 15% discount on your next move.

HOW TO CLAIM THIS DEAL: Send an email request to the directors of Stuttaford Van Lines on rugby@stuttafordvanlines.com. NOTE: Discount may be adjustable on discretionary basis.

GOODFELLAS DEAL: FREE chauffeur services in the comfort of your own car after a night out.

HOW TO CLAIM THIS DEAL: Send a message to the MyBenefits division on app and they will send you a unique URL-link, which you must use for registration to activate the benefit and to use the GoodFellas app.

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AUTOMOTION DEAL: Receive 50% discount on you valet parking only at Cape Town International Airport.

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

MOMENTUM MULTIPLY DEAL: Receive FREE membership to join the Multiply rewards programme.

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.

COBRA DEAL: Receive 40% discount on golf equipment and a free club fitting session.

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.

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.

MILPARK EDUCATION DEAL: 25% off all online short courses, and 12.5% off full qualifications for MyPlayers members.

HOW TO CLAIM THIS DEAL: Contact Milpark directly on 086 999 0001, or get in touch with Hilana Claassens, MyPlayers’ Player Development Manager, for assistance at hilana@my-players.com or 071 470 4901.

REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL DEAL: 10% of course fees OXBRIDGE ACADEMY DEAL: 20% off when paid upfront; R1 000 discount on National qualification; R800 off National Skills Certificate.

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).

INVUYA INSTITUTE OF LEARNING DEAL: 20% off course fees ETA COLLEGE DEAL: 20% off full qualifications

MORE BENEFITS

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.

CLICK TO EMAIL ISMA-EEL

CLICK TO EMAIL HILANA

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CLIFFE DEKKER HOFMEYR DEAL: 60 minutes’ free consultation per year, thereafter services provided are at a discounted rate.

HOW TO CLAIM THIS BENEFIT: Send a message to the MyBenefits division on our app and our legal department will put you in touch with a contact person at CDH.

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Tygerberg Business Park 163 Uys Krige Drive Plattekloof, Cape Town South Africa 7500 info@my-players.com

+27 21 887 5786

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