About two months ago I got asked to attend Sharks games on behalf of Sharksworld, do some live commentary and write an article or two. At first I was a bit surprised, but soon got sucked into my normal and very boring daytime job and never gave it any more thought.
Last week it hit me that I was going to a Sharks vs Bulls game as a press person and it hit me, this is big!! Nerves creeped in and the mind started running wild. What do I do? What do I say? Where do I go? What do I take? Poor Rob had to field millions of questions. So here’s how my first day went:
Seeing as I was a nervous wreck, and being an auditor, I over audited the situation and decided to go as early as I could so I could suss out the situation. I arrived at my parking at the early hour of 13h00, four hours before the main game kicked off. Early is an understatement.
Getting to the entrance of the admin took very little, but once inside, I was greeted by about 6 security guards all wanting to acquaint themselves with my press pass. Once they were all happy that I was allowed to breathe the same air as them, a security guard escorted me into the lift to make sure I go no further than the third floor.
At the entrance to the press box, I was once again asked for my accreditation (my wide eyes and sweaty palms must have given away the fact that I was either a criminal at work or a rookie not knowing where to go). I was welcomed by a very friendly young lady who asked me if I wanted a drink. I declined even though some hard alcohol would have helped.
The press box looks more like a luxury lounge than anything I have seen in the stadium before. Comfy seats, a little stage where coaches would later sit and field questions, a bar and coffee station. Drawings on the wall immediately caught my attention, depicting Sharks legends in comical paintings. I was engrossed.
Once my eyes were back in their sockets, I was showed my seat for the game. Location seems to be very important for journalists, as I had the best seats I have ever had. It was just high enough for me to see everything, yet not too high so I cannot make out what’s going on. And prime on the halfway line. Perfect doesn’t quite do it justice.
After the U19 game, I decided to test out the coffee station, simple thing that I would not be able to mess up even if I tried. So there I was, feeding my caffeine addiction, when a legend of a man walks up next to me, takes a cup, and seems to share my love for a strong cuppa… Joel Stransky. Now I know he is no favourite around here, but in my eyes, he still won a World Cup for us, and he was right there next to me… within touching distance. I decided to be a brave young grasshopper and introduced myself, after which we discussed the disappointing Springbok loss to the All Blacks that morning. Amazing moment number 1 for the day.
After this discussion, and learning that Mr Stransky does think quite a bit of his own opinion, I settled into watching the U21 game. A good start gave me hope, but a loss at the end of the day was not the way I was hoping my first day would go. Disappointing moment number 2 of the day. (Number 1 was the U19’s losing) I decided to see which famous rugby legend I would meet at the coffee station this time, only to find Mr Stransky chatting up two very attractive young ladies. No other legends available, leading to disappointing moment number 3.
The Sharks then went on to give the Bulls a bit of a rugby lesson, which made for a very nice end to my day at the stadium and the experience would have been amazing had it ended right there. But that was not all folks.. I had the pleasure of sitting through two press conferences, first Frans Ludeke trying not to cry, and then John Plumtree trying very hard not to break into song and dance. I even got to ask my first question (thanks must go to Rob for telling me what to ask, as I would much rather have just taken in the moment). Amazing moments 2-4.
Thereafter I was allowed to take the field, an experience I didn’t expect to share with the other 25 573 people who attended the game. I was allowed to chat to the players, who were each mobbed by around 450 spectators asking them to sign autographs and body parts. I did manage to get hold of the Man of the Match Mvovo, and it must be said that the man is very nice! Amazing moment number 5.
So all in all, my amazing moments far outscored my disappointing moments, and a great evening was had! I eventually found my way home after celebrating a proper Bulls hiding! A big thank you to Rob and Sharksworld for making the above experience a reality and not some sort of rugby supporters wet dream. Bring on the Pumas Friday night!!
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😛 well done
Nice! I’m a bit jealous
You get parking ❓ ❗
😎
so what was your first question?
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 3) : maybe they are available at 13h00 😀
@Jarson (Comment 2) : btw : this ITM thing is gonna be pure fun – never heard about any of the teams before
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 5) : At Newlands we don’t get parking no matter what time it is
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 7) : 😐
ohh – do you mean a parking for press or for an ordinary folk – I took it as he was so early that there was no problems with parking (no even thinking about a special arrangement for the press).
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 8) : Aha, i didnt even think that being that early meant there would be ample parking anywhere
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 6) : Not ❓ 😯 U could ask Hertford, but I’m not sure he can be trusted in the matter 😀
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 4) : My first question:
“How is Odwa Ndungane going to fit into a backline that performed so well against the Bulls tonight?”
His answer: “He will have to wait”
@Jarson (Comment 10) :
😳 😳 i’m guessing that some of them are the S14 teams under bit different names, but that’s all.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 11) : good question. and the answer says all the right things but Plum always talk well and not always practice what he preaches. wouldn’t be surprised if odwa slots in immediately on his return. 🙄
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 12) : Thats about all I know aswell, for now
Lucky Git!
Rob if you’re are reading this I volunteer for any press duties in Cape town….
@Just a Fan (Comment 14) : I keeeel you
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 15) : 😆 😆
Great story Richard!
I know not many people like Stransky, but I knew him before he became famous.
In January 1986 Stransky, Glover, Rimmer and van Wyk were four young Durbs dudes sharing a compartment on a troop train from Durban to Pretoria – on the way to do national service.
For dinner that evening, somewhere along the way, we got a foul bowl of stuff with some gravy to eat. Joel was so disgusted that he opened the compartment window and threw the gravy out. It blew right back and covered him in the stuff. We were still pissing ourselves laughing when we pulled into Pretoria the next morning and Joel was still sulking.
It turned out that we shared a bungalow in basics and played rugby together at Valhalla (SAAF). I was 8, Shawn Glover (Joel’s Natal & SA schools scrummie partner) was 9 and Joel was obviously 10. After basics he went off to do some air force admin job and played for Northern Tvl U20.
I saw him a number of times after that (pre-1995) and he was always very friendly and down to earth.
It’s a pity that fame goes to some people’s heads and it pisses me off that Joel can’t lay off the young beauties, because I knew his wife Karen (we went to school together)- she was a really nice chick.
Well done Richard sounded an awesome experience.
I look forward to catching up with you as you travel the world in your new media capacity !
@Jarson (Comment 10) :
Cheers for setting it up …… I will try and write an article to give a few of our friends an insight into who’s who in the competition ! 😉
I can be trusted 😆
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 19) : Great, and I’ll do my own research offcourse. 😉 😆
Nice article….it seems like a great experience…pity I don’t live in Durban so I can attend more games. 🙁
@Jarson (Comment 20) :
I trust you will be chasing winners honours in what could be a smallish pool…… but unfortunately for you i’m involved.
PS I’m embarassing myself in the CC Superbru Pool….may have to fake an injury!
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 22) : pls don’t – some consolation for the loosers
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 19) : 😎
Absolutly awsome article Richardand very well done on your etiquette,i must agree with your assumption on Joel,he always seems anti sharks while commentating,both arrogant and conceited,why this should be im not sure as he enjoyed many great years with the sharks and is a kzn boy too,perhaps there is an old historical grudge he still hold with the sharks??
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 22) : My CC aint looking good either 😳 I will most definitely be competing against u, honours will be a bonus. Game On! 😛
@Jarson (Comment 26) :
I checked out your Superbru honours yesterday….. very impressive.
I need to take more pride in beating you in future ! 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 27) : Thanx, but I still havent won the big ones, CC and S14 🙁 And that elusive Global Top 10/100 🙁
@Jarson (Comment 28) :
The way to look impressive is you set up a pool and invite a load of idiots that know nothing about the teams…. and you should win….
…..oh ….wait a second you have just done that !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 29) : 😆 I invited you too remember 😉
I was welcomed by a very friendly young lady who asked me if I wanted a drink. I declined even though some hard alcohol would have helped.
Bwahahahah…
Mate you must join myself and Clayton at Newlands sometime…
Drawings on the wall immediately caught my attention, depicting Sharks legends in comical paintings. I was engrossed.
Those characitures are Awesome. 😎
I used to pay more attention to them than the discussions during our law meetings when I was still in SA. 😳
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 22) : bad sport 👿 why HH i think i’m above u but what the hell u always seem to jump back up to the top 😉
Well good for u it must of been sth 🙂
(my wide eyes and sweaty palms must have given away the fact that I was either a criminal at work or a rookie not knowing where to go). I was welcomed by a very friendly young lady 😆
u forgot to say and my heart was missing a beat oh my 😉
@chaz (Comment 34) : Im going to sound like such a retard now, but i havent been able to figure out what sth stands for?! I even googled it.. What the hell, I should know these things!!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 35) : sth = something
Anyone here Cape based?
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 37) : on this thread only Morne methinks 😀
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 38) : 😆 Theres a chat at False Bay RFC tonight with Tank Lanning, Charl Marais, Guy Kebble and Keith Andrews and wanted to know if someone wanted to go. Its R90 though
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 38) : oh and Just Fan 😀
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 35) : don’t worry me didn’t either reniek had to help with that one 😳
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 39) : that sounds nice – too far for me though.
I would have taken that drink… 😆 Guess “I” will not be in the pressbox for SW soon!? Hehe
@Señora Hielo (Comment 43) : eeee 😉 now what would i hv done gee press box and a beauty reniek and she say no 😕 maybe Clayton got a chopper or 2 and u don’t ask ❓ oh my reniek 😆 😉
@Señora Hielo (Comment 43) : you might have gotten more info out of the legend 😉
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 45) : Joel?? After a few I might have moered him! LOLOL
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 45) : now tell me sth who is this Clayton (PJLD) or am i not to know ❓ 😉
@Señora Hielo (Comment 46) : eeeee you are making me hv a good laugh
@chaz (Comment 48) : hey no shit Chaz has 5 stars oh my now that feels very good
@chaz (Comment 47) : i don’t really know but he’s always been here … 😉
one of the administrators so we must behave 😉
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 50) : oh my 🙄 😉 i nearlly thought it was Clayton from the radio 😳 😉
@chaz (Comment 48) : brannewyn hetie brieke nie en gee jou baie spiere! Dit verander jou ook in die mooiste mens op die party wat baie mooi op tafels kan dans…of so hoor ek! LOL
@chaz (Comment 47) : Huh?
@Señora Hielo (Comment 52) : jy kan dit weer sê maar ek drink nie BRANDEWYN nie Wyn en OBS oh ja 😎
@chaz (Comment 51) : he may be …
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 53) : are u ❓
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 53) : 😳 was only guessing but must be wrong 😳
that was a completment me friend 😆 😉
@chaz (Comment 54) : me neither..ek is ‘n wynvlieg!
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 55) : if he’s going to tell us 😕 😉
@Señora Hielo (Comment 57) : well come to the wynflieg klub
Im just confused.Maybe i need a drink…yes, i think thats it
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 60) : well provincejoulekkeding must of changed his name if me is right it must be the cold air up in CT drink a OBS it warms u up from inside to outside
Ok maar lekka deurmekaar 😆 😆
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 60) : wynflieg ❓ 😆