In his first interview of 2010, reclusive former Springbok midfield genius Robbie Fleck speaks exclusively to Dan Nicholl about the Stormers season, the second coming of the Castle Cape Town Tens, and why he?s spending his spare time designing clothes...

Dan: Fleckie, thanks for sparing some time. Husband, father, Stormers backline coach, CEO of the Cape Town Tens, and rumour has it, a fashion designer as well?

Fleckie: Not really, Dan, although I do have a passion for clothes. My wife Frankie has a new fashion label out, Frankie Fleck Design, and I?ve been helping her get off the ground. It?s strange ? we?ll come home from a day?s work, and Frankie will want to watch rugby highlights on SuperSport Blitz, while I?ll head straight for Fashion TV. A lot of my old Bishops mates do the same, surprisingly.

Dan: Is this your first foray into design?

Fleckie: My second. You may remember the sartorial disaster that was the original Western Stormers jersey? Skinstad designed that, and it was appalling, so I came in, re-did it, and settled on the black number that won over the fans. When I first met Bob, he looked like he?d just walked out of an Oxfam shop, but we?ve sorted him out now, and I think that gave me a lot of confidence to work on Frankie?s designs.

Dan: Speaking of Bob, I believe you?ve helped him to get a job?

Fleckie: Ja, he was a little lost post-rugby, but I managed to get him some part-time working at SuperSport as intern with Matthew Pearce, and now he?s helping out with the Castle Cape Town Tens. Just running errands, driving, making deliveries, but it?s nice to be able to help him out.

Dan: Speaking of the Tens, lots of excitement, with rumours of big names, and a run at the new Cape Town Stadium?

Fleckie: Very exciting Dan. We?ve got a big name Australian coming over to captain the international legends, eight international sides taking part, and we?re playing the maiden rugby game at the Cape Town Stadium on the Saturday afternoon, which is marvellous, especially as there?s been a lot of rumour circulating that they?re going to name it the Robbie Fleck Stadium. I?m getting goose bumps already.

Dan: Can?t wait, Fleckie ? sounds like a total rugby carnival...

Fleckie: Definitely. John Allen?s SA Rugby Legends will be playing, the Lightyears are coming back to headline the Saturday night concert, and we?ve got the Kirsti Lyall Dancers, all cowboy boots and bikinis. Plus the chance to see me in action again, which is always a treat for fans.

Dan: You are looking pretty trim ? I gather you?re still training as well as coaching with the Stormers?

Fleckie: For sure, Dan. I?m nearly 40, but I?m still the second quickest guy at training, with Bryan Habana only slightly quicker, so it?s a good test for the younger guys to run against me. They?re not allowed to tackle me, of course, or they?re immediately sent on a run, but otherwise it?s all very competitive.

Dan: And having Bryan and Jaque Fourie in the squad? Real testament to your coaching that they opted to come down to Cape Town?

Fleckie: There was a very sweet moment at training on Jaque?s first day, when he came up to me a little nervously, and asked me to sign one of my Province jerseys that he?d bought at a charity auction a couple of years ago. Obviously meant a lot to the kid; he still calls me Mr. Fleck, which is really sweet.

Dan: And Bryan ? settling in okay?

Fleckie: Very well. It?s been a bit strange for him ? no Kurt Darren played at training, no braai after every practice, no public stoning of vegetarians on Saturday mornings in the town square. But he?s enjoying it, Dan, and I think he?s going to be a revelation.

Dan: And you, Fleckie? Enjoying life?

Fleckie: More than ever, Dan. The Stormers are looking good, the Tens will be amazing, and every evening, I step away from rugby, and spend a few hours pretending I?m Jean-Paul Gaultier or Christian Lacroix. Life is beautiful, and I?m more stoked than ever, bru. Just really, really stoked.

  • Weekend passes for the Castle Cape Town Tens are available at Computicket, including the International Tens clash at the Cape Town Stadium and the Saturday night party. For more information, visit the official Castle Cape Town Tens website. For a glimpse at some of Fleckie?s work for Frankie Fleck Designs, click here.

  • Follow Dan on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dannicholl

  • Contact Dan at dan@metropolis.co.za