The former Springbok forward shares a few of his favourite pastimes and adventures away from the game.
BEST BOOKS
CHICKENHAWK [Robert Mason]
‘A scary blow-by-blow account of Robert Mason’s experiences in the Vietnam War. I couldn’t put this book down. I read it in one go.’
OUTLIERS [Malcolm Gladwell]
‘The author looks into the things that leads to success, while at the same time investigating what sets geniuses apart from the rest. The book encourages its readers to be critical thinkers.’
ADRIFT ON THE OPEN VELD TRILOGY [Deneys Reitz]
‘I promise you, these books will change every view you thought you had on the history of this country and southern Africa in general. It highlights the inspiring and insightful history that is too often forgotten.’
FAVOURITE SONGS
Closer [The Chainsmokers]
‘The Chainsmokers have released some top tunes, but Closer is their best work. The message I take from the songs is that what’s meant to be, will be in the end.’
On Top of The World [Imagine Dragons]
‘Although Imagine Dragons is a pop rock band, the lyrics of this song are not. But there’s a mildly charming feel to it that brings out the chorus well.’
Tom’s Diner [Suzanne Vega]
‘Oh this is proper old school music. It was one of young Mark Andrews’ favourite songs in the 1980s.’
BEST CITIES VISITED
Denver, USA
‘Looking at the statistics, it’s one of the best-run cities in the world. But really, Denver is the best beer city in America and there are NFL Broncos, NBA Nuggets, MLS Rapids, NHL Avalanche and MLB Rockies teams. So beer and sport, what’s not to love.’
Split, Croatia
‘There are so many historical buildings and tourist attractions, I didn’t get to all the best spots, but I made some of my best memories there.’
Cape Town, South Africa
‘It’s where the cool people gather and hang out, isn’t it? I joke. Cape Town is the most beautiful and vibrant city in South Africa.’
ALL TIME FAVOURITE DRINKS
Lime and Soda
‘It’s good for your health.’
Single malt on the rocks
‘It’s the drink of champions. A lot of people I know struggle to fall in love with it, but what do they know?’
Moet & Chandon champagne
‘I’m no expert, but I reckon it’s a symbol of style and sophistication, and it tastes like it too.’
TOP SPORTING MOMENTS WATCHED AS A FAN
Currie Cup Final, 1990
’Natal beat Northern Transvaal by six points. I watched this match live and it was the epitome of what the Currie Cup stood for back then.’
South Africa versus All Blacks Cavaliers, 1986 at Kings Park
‘I was 14 at the time and I got see some of the best Kiwi players in action. The match was a great contest, with the Boks losing 19-18. It was one of the best live experiences I’ve had.’
2007 Rugby World Cup Final
‘I think I was more nervous during this final than the 1995 final I played in. The scenes after the final whistle at the Stade de France had me all choked up.’
OTHER POSSIBLE CAREERS
Farmer
‘I’m South African man and down here on the southern tip of Africa, we all love a farming.’
Military
‘We don’t appreciate and honour our servicemen and women enough. I would have loved to serve in the South African military. In a way, it’s like giving back to one’s country.’
Wildlife Conservation
‘Working to protect animals, specifically South Africa’s big five, from going extinct sounds like my kind of job. It would be so much fun, but it is also an important service.’
PEOPLE HE WOULD LIKE TO MEET
Jordan B Peterson
‘He is a Canadian psychology professor at the University of Toronto, but he became famous for his three-part series called Professor Against Political Correctness on YouTube. He has since published several books. I’d love to sit down with him and chat to find out just where his right-wing views come from.
Donald Trump
‘Not that I am a fan, but it must be like watching a car crash in slow motion spending a day with him.’
Richard Branson
‘I’d love to pick his brain on business, world politics and sport.’
FAVOURITE QUOTES
William Shakespeare
‘Above all else, to thine own self be true.’
Wayne Gretzky
‘You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.’
Anonymous
‘Always tell the truth and if you can’t, don’t lie.’
ALL TIME GREATEST ATHLETES
Michael Jordan
‘When you become the archetype of what players in your sport should be, there can be no doubt as to your standing in the world of sport in general.’
Muhammad Ali
‘He was simply the greatest boxer there was and ever will be. Being an athlete is more than just plying your trade successfully. It’s about having charm and charisma, and it’s about using you platform to stand up for what you believe in. Ali embodied all of those traits.’
Tiger Woods
‘When he is on song, no one makes playing golf as effortless as Tiger Woods. Despite all else, that is the reason he remains the face of golf. My favourite athlete of all time.’
BEST AND WORST TEAMMATES
Warren Brosnihan
‘Could always count on Bros to provide some stimulating conversion.’
Adrian Garvey
‘This man was the best roommate to have. I teased, or should I say tormented, him endlessly.’
Ollie le Roux and Wayne Fyvie
‘These two are tied for the worst roomies ever. One snored terribly and the other spoke in his sleep all night.
FUNNIEST ON-FIELD MOMENTS
‘When James Dalton knocked Sean Fitzpatrick out cold in a scrum and when Fitzpatrick came around and asked him why he had hit him, Dalton replied, “Because you are a d**s”.’
‘During a Cape Schools week tournament, one of my Selborne teammates ran into one of the poles and knocked himself out in the warm-up before our night game against Paul Roos.’
‘When Dick Muir was sprinting down the touchline in a Currie Cup match and the linesman overtook him and was waiting for him by the time he got to the tryline. Dickie was not renowned for his blistering pace.’
Photo: David Davies – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images
