15 Mei 2015
9
Potchefstroom Herald
Behind the touchlines with NWU-Puk’s Hendrik Truter Tamlyn Patterson There is a quote doing the rounds which states: “Do more of what makes you happy,” and in Hendrik Truter’s life, it means family and, of course, rugby. We decided to catch up with the former Sevens Springbok to find out more about what makes him tick. Who has had the biggest influence on your life? My mom and dad. Tell us more about your early days, growing up, playing rugby I grew up in the Strand (Cape Province), matriculated at Linden High School and studied at Goudstad Teacher Training College. I played rugby for Transvaal (Golden Lions), Free State (Cheetahs), SA Barbarians and Springbok Sevens. How long have you been working as the marketing manager at the Rugby Institute? From 2001, when André Markgraaff started the PUK Rugby Institute, until 2013. For the last two years, I have been working at the Department of Marketing and Communications on campus. Away from the office, how do you relax? I enjoy a round of golf, from time to time. Holidays will be in the caravan when we visit the South Coast or Hartenbos. We are a close family and will spend time at home, work in the garden or watch a nice movie together. We call it an “inlê aand.” What was the highlight of this year’s Varsity Cup for you?
The two wins against Tukkies were great. The try that Johnny scored against Tukkies in the semi-final gave me hope for the final but again, we were denied a trophy. Highlights off the field, for me, include watching the students and the public enjoying themselves at our home games. We have the best supporter base in South Africa. Rugby role model growing up and earliest rugby memory on TV? My first encounter with rugby was in 1974 (giving my age away) when Willie John McBride’s British Lions visited South Africa. There were no TV’s in South Africa in those days. They had players like Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams (fullback) in their side. JPR was my hero. As a youngster, I watched many a game at Newlands and WP had players like Morné du Plessis, Jan Boland Coetzee, Peter Whipp and Johan Oosthuizen. We idolised them. How often do you play golf? Unfair question. Let’s not say too much. I have a good relationship at home to uphold. The best course to play in SA? Mossel Bay Country Club on a windless day is beautiful. You can see the Indian Ocean from all 18 tee boxes. I also enjoy the South Coast courses. Two outstanding courses would be Cotswold Downs and Copperleaf (The Els Club). Name your least favourite hole(s) at Potch Country Club, and why Definitely the 15th and 16th. I always struggle to finish them, I don’t know why. I think we have our own version
of ‘Amen Corner.’ How do you rate our chances at the World Cup, later this year? To be honest with you, I don’t watch a lot of rugby. There is too much politics and we don’t play attractive running rugby anymore. Our skill level in the backlines is poor and coaches don’t encourage players to do their “own thing.” In the old days, we called it flair. The team to back will be the All Blacks because they are solid in all the aspects of the game and play with a lot of flair. What music are you listening to at the moment? Music from the 80’s and, believe it or not, One Direction. If you were on death row, what would be your perfect last supper ? A nice chilli pasta. Name your No.1 guilty pleasure in life. Golf. I can totally understand why wives get upset when their husbands play golf. It is ±6 hours from home and then the 19th hole, from time to time. And typically, there are always golf days or important competitions when there is a family gathering, birthday, wedding, sick kids or the wife has something planned. What is your favourite local and international destination? Hartenbos (SA) and then the country districts of Holland, Germany and Italy. How do you eat your steak, drink your coffee? Steak medium-to-well and coffee, no sugar, but with honey.
Hendrik Truter
What other sports do you follow? We haven’t had a TV at home for the past 12 years. I love watching T20 cricket or a rugby match with friends, from time to time. What irritates you the most in life? What makes you happy? Negative people irritate me, politicians and, oh yes, taxi drivers. We have a beautiful country with beautiful people, if only the government would see it. My work gives me pleasure, my family, and being in the company of people who respect each other makes me happy. Name two rugby analysts you’d most like to have on your show hosting Boots ‘n All on Supersport Pine Pienaar from Potch and my sister, Willis Coetzee, who is a fanatical Stormers supporter and knows her rugby.