Yankee Stadium was known as the House that Ruth Built after the legendary slugger, Babe Ruth, and the United Center in Chicago is synonymous with Michael Jordan’s exploits during the 1980s and 90s.
Can it be said that the North-West University’s Rugby Institute in Potchefstroom is the House that Matt Proudfoot built?
It seldom happens that an individual’s career reaches its zenith, but is then overshadowed by what he or she accomplishes next. Famous state prosecutors can become infamous politicians. Think Rudi Giuliani. Television reality stars can become presidents. Good rugby players can become world-class coaches. Think Matt Proudfoot.
The former NWU student and Scotland international, who also scrummed down at prop for the Bulls, had a good rugby career. But, what he subsequently accomplished can only be described as great. He moulded a Stormers’ pack with the reputation of being timid into a fearsome one and, as Springboks’ forwards coach under Rassie Erasmus, he now boasts a World Cup winner’s medal. Proudfoot has since moved on to assist Eddie Jones in England’s set up – the same foes the Boks outplayed so comprehensively in Yokohoma, Japan on 2 November. But, before all this, he played an instrumental role in building the NWU Rugby Institute into the behemoth it is today.
His former colleague and close friend, Mervyn Taylor, who is president of the Leopards Rugby Union and rugby manager at the North-West University, knows him as few others do.
“It is easy for me to talk about Matt because he was honestly a good friend when he coached here at the university. We worked closely together on a lot of projects that he started. The big thing about Matt was that he started his coaching career immediately after he stopped playing and he brought that component to us. He knew what players wanted and he knew what to do to get the best out of players,” said Taylor.
“Matt also played in the professional era, so he imparted that professional mindset on the players as well. He made them realise what the bigger rugby picture entails.”
Under Proudfoot, the NWU won consecutive Superbowl titles, numerous Pirates Grand Challenge trophies and inter- varsities. “Matt was perhaps the only coach I’ve worked with who was extremely focused on defence and gave a lot of attention to defence coaching. As were are seeing, it has become one of the most important elements of the game. Regarding defence, he took detail to an all-new level,” said Taylor.
“Matt was a man’s man. He could communicate with the players and he was loyal to his players and his management team. He had their backs at all times. He is a man that can walk with kings and with paupers.”
The Springboks will be all too aware of his influence the next time they face England. Let’s hope it will not be to their detriment.
