The Blitzboks and Stormers man shares a few of his favourite pastimes and adventures away from the game.

DREAM CARS

Mercedes Benz G-Wagon G45
‘It’s an amazing machine and I love it.’

Lamborghini
‘It’s a sports car so it doesn’t really matter which model. It looks sexy and is very fast.’

Rolls Royce Phantom
‘A black on black one would look amazing. Saying that, I’d also go for a Shelby because it’s a classic and it is a convertible.’

BEST BOOKS

Relentless [By Tim Grover]
‘The author was Michael Jordan’s trainer, so in this book he gives the reader an insight into Jordan’s mindset. He makes some fascinating points on how Jordan’s mind worked and what made him great.’ 

Growing Greatness [By Pepe Marais]
‘The book, by a South African, is about business mastery and personal mastery. I really enjoyed it.’

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari [By Robin Sharma]
‘I love everything by Robin Sharma. He writes amazing books. If I have to choose one favourite, it’s this one. The message he wants to bring across is well presented. If you, as a reader, open your mind to its ideas and concepts, this book can be revolutionising and life-changing.’

BEST CITIES VISITED

Barcelona, Spain
‘I enjoyed the culture and the beauty of the city. Obviously, I visited the Camp Nou, which is one of the most iconic sport stadiums in world, and it was a good experience.’

Venice, Italy
‘I went there with a couple of guys and loved every minute of it. I still want to visit again – because I feel Venice is such a romantic city, I want to go back there with my girlfriend.’

Sydney, Australia
‘I love South Africa and Cape Town so much but I live here, it’s not like I visit this paradise. Sydney reminds me so much of Cape Town, it’s the same vibe and the people there have the same energy as Capetonians.’ 

ALL-TIME FAVOURITE DRINKS

Coke
‘It’s not a healthy drink, in fact it’s a really bad one, but geez I absolutely love it.’

Red wine
‘I know how to appreciate a glass of the good stuff.’

Gin & tonic
‘It’s a very refreshing drink, especially on a hot summer’s day which we have a lot of in Cape Town. It’s my go-to drink when I’m off and just chilling at home or otherwise.’

TOP SPORTING MOMENTS WATCHED AS A FAN

Cristiano Ronaldo
‘Every game Cristiano Ronaldo plays. I just love watching him. It brings me such joy to see him in action.’

Canelo Alvarez vs Floyd Mayweather
‘That fight was so good. Canelo is the best pound for pound fighter right now. But the way Mayweather beat him that day in 2013 was incredible. We witnessed his greatness that day and how far ahead of everyone else he was at the time. ’

Wayde van Niekerk 400m final at the Rio Olympics
‘It was pretty sick watching Wayde obliterate the 400m world record to win gold at the Olympics. It was unreal. I literally had goosebumps on my skin. I will never forget the swell of different emotions I felt in that moment. Witnessing it live was crazy.’

OTHER POSSIBLE CAREERS

Accountant
‘I love dressing up and I liked the idea that I might be wearing a suit every day. That’s why I studied accounting; not for the work but for the appearance.’

Sprinter
‘I’m sporty and have always been very active. I thought I could make it as a sprinter because I’m so fast.’

Soccer player
‘I would have loved to be a soccer player. I played football when I was younger but rugby won, I guess.’

PEOPLE YOU’D LIKE TO MEET

TD Jakes
‘I’d like to grab a seat with him. He is a wonderful man of God. To have a seat at the table and talk to him for a little bit would be amazing.’

Cristiano Ronaldo
‘Simply because I just love the man.’

Jay Z
‘The man’s a mogul. The way he overturned his fortunes is amazing. He is also a great person. From the way he goes about going things I can see he is a wise man.’

TOP TEAMS

Kaizer Chiefs
‘I love Kaizer Chiefs. I grew up watching them play and I’m still watch whenever I can.’

Juventus
‘Because, well, Cristiano Ronaldo. First I supported Manchester United but when he left I realised I didn’t actually support the team, I support the man because suddenly I was a Real Madrid fan. And at the moment I am the biggest Juventus fan. I’m following Ronaldo to be honest.’ 

Blitzboks
‘It’s my family and family support each other right? I’m heading back to the Stormers, but I want nothing more than for the Blitzboks to excel and win everything this season. 

ALL-TIME GREATEST ATHLETES

Bruce Lee
‘The goat of all goats. That’s all.’

Michael Jordan
‘It’s difficult to identify an individual as the greatest player in their sport when people play in different eras and the game is constantly evolving. But this is basketball and MJ was the greatest. There has, is and will not be any other basketball player like him.’ 

Muhammad Ali
‘He was the greatest boxer there was and will ever be. Being an athlete is more than just plying your trade successfully. It’s about having charm and charisma and it’s about using your platform to stand up for what you believe in. Ali embodied all of those traits.’

Floyd Mayweather
‘I was going to say Ronaldo, but let my soccer goat rest. I’ve mentioned him too many times [laughs]. Mayweather made boxing great again, after Muhammad Ali.’

BEST AND/OR WORST ROOMMATES

Chris Dry
‘Oh my goodness, he is so messy. He leaves everything, everywhere. When you walk into the room, you walk into clothes. It’s crazy. A great human being, who I love dearly, but he is messy.’

Rosko Specman
‘He is the best roommate I’ve had. We gel well together and have a wonderful understanding. He loves music as much as I do, so rooming together is lekker.’  

Justin Geduld
‘Because we’ve known each other for so long, it’s easy to room with him. And he makes me the best coffee. What’s not to love?’

FUNNIEST ON-FIELD MOMENTS

‘We were playing against England in the Cup final in Tokyo and I was away to score a try, but I dived before the line and I knocked the ball on. That’s my most embarrassing moment.’ 

‘Getting bumped by Danny Barrett from the USA. He bumped me off three times in one sequence. He shrugged me off the first time, I came back to tackle him again but he handed he off. I went again, but he handed me off again. Three times in one sequence; man, that was bad.’

‘Letting Rosko Specman score when I was in the clear to dot down myself. It was so funny. He was close to me and shouted at me to pass because some defender was trailing behind me. I wouldn’t have been caught but I still passed to him because he wanted it so much. I don’t know why but I find that funny. I always just picture how he looked when he shouted for the ball, like our lives depended on that one moment.’

Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images