Hard Johan van Riebeeck surface a myth
The hard pitch at the Johann van Riebeeck Stadium, which supposedly helped the South Eastern Transvaal rugby team win the Lion Cup match 24-19 against the Western Province in 1983, is a myth.
The surface was hard and dry like any other field on the Highveld in winter (the match took place on June 4) but not specially prepared for the WP match.
The man who will know is that day’s captain, Richard Cooke.
He says: “The field was not so hard, we were always prepared for soft and hard fields. Players always had two different pairs of studs for different playing surfaces.”
But did the South East team really believe that day they could beat the WP, loaded with Springboks? “Yes, we did! They had more to lose and we had more to gain. Our plan was to play as a team, never as individuals, do the basics right and never give the Western Province players space to run the ball.”
According to Richard, team manager Gert Grobler was also an excellent motivator who made the team believe they could achieve anything if they believed in it.
He considers the victory the best moment of his career.
“One of the most remarkable things about the team in 1983 was that we all stood together as one. All the players were committed.”
• The South-Eastern Transvaal players of that team, and all the players who represented the South-Eastern Transvaal’s senior team, are invited to a reunion on April 21 in Mbombela, when the Pumas and Western Province play in a Currie Cup game.
Referee boss Steve Brits has made his Indabushe Eco Lodge, 60km from Nelspruit, available at a 40 per cent discount for the South East players on Friday night accommodation. The players will be transported 60 kilometres from there to the stadium free of charge by bus.
The bus will pick up the players at Indabushe at 14:00, after which they will be received in the president’s lodge at 15:00.
Before the Currie Cup match against the Western Province kicks off at 16:30, all the players will form a tunnel for the Puma team on the field.
All old South East players (the amateur era) are invited to the reunion.
The 1983 team are the special guests of honour.
The deadline for bookings is tomorrow 12 April at 17:00, and for accommodation call Annette Venter at Indabushe on 083 259 0419.
To attend the reunion, call Tobie van den Bergh on 072 220 1568, Gert la Grange on 083 702 5163, Richard Cooke on 083 263 6938 or book with Arrie Myburg on 082 786 5894 or email arriemyburg@gmail.com.
