Rugby may be in lockdown, but in the latest SA Rugby magazine, we recap some entertaining moments from the past month as DYLAN JACK pokes fun at the game’s crazy underbelly.
COMPLETE BOLLOCKS
In one of the strangest incidents, a clip emerged of England prop Joe Marler making bizarre contact with the groin area of Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones in their last Six Nations game. ‘I looked at the touch judge but he didn’t see what happened, which is fine,’ the shell-shocked Welshman commented afterwards. ‘A lot of footage was shown, a lot of supporters have seen what happened, it’s just very frustrating.’ Meanwhile, Marler cryptically took to Twitter to simply state: ‘Bollocks. Complete bollocks.’
THE HOFF FINDS HIS VOICE
This year, the US leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series returned to Los Angeles for the first time since 2005. The stands weren’t always full but there was one familiar face in the crowd who attracted much attention. Former Baywatch star David Hasselhoff was an ardent supporter of the USA side during the tournament, but also remained in ‘character’ as he donned a Baywatch jacket while holding on to a red lifebuoy. It all took a bit of a strange twist, though, when he conducted a pitchside interview and broke into song, belting out the TV show’s theme song: ‘Some people stand in the daaarknessss, afraid to step into the ligggghhtttt,’ he sang rather out of tune. It was all in good spirits, with ‘The Hoff’ getting involved in some rugby activities to promote the event and posing for pics with a few of the players.
KOLISI THE RHINO
In December last year, the Limpopo-based Rhino Orphanage took in a five-month old male that appeared to have been attacked by a hyena and was left with horrible injuries. The founder of the orphanage, Arrie van Deventer, gave him the nickname Kolisi, after a man who rose to greatness despite early hardships. It should come as no surprise that the little guy loves to play with a ball whenever he gets the chance to run around. One wonders whether he will get the chance to ever meet the Bok captain.
A CLOSE SHAVE
When tennis legend Roger Federer recently played a charity match in Cape Town, Siya Kolisi handed him a Springbok jersey to thank him for his support of the world champions. Federer admitted he nearly missed the World Cup final because he was having a haircut. The 38-year- old, whose mother was born in South Africa, said: ‘I should have known better. I watched the trophy ceremony from the sidewalk. I was getting emotional and all that stuff.’
BODY ON THE LINE
Back in February, the Super Rugby match between the Sharks and Highlanders was interrupted by a streaker, who tore across the field during a stoppage. It turns out that the 21-year-old man won a holiday for his efforts by completing a challenge put forward by a controversial New Zealand social media personality Tim Mullins. He offered a free month’s stay at a resort and a tour of the North Islands to the first person to streak at the weekend’s Super Rugby games with ‘#puklife’ tattooed on the front and back of their body. Before he could even think about collecting his prize, though, the streaker had to make an appearance in court, charged with offensive behaviour.
