On the back of eighth-seeded UCT finishing top of the FNB Varsity Cup log, and claiming a surprise home semifinal, iafrica.com Contributing Editor Dan Nicholl strikes gold with an exclusive interview with UCT’s flamboyant coach John Dobson…

Dan: Congratulations John — an awesome achievement. You must be incredibly stoked.

John: Dan, I’m incredibly stoked. The whole team is. I’ve never felt like this before. Top of a group most people said we didn’t deserve to be in to start with. To be honest, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve burst into tears. This is just so, so special. I’m incredibly stoked.

Dan: Be honest here John — it hasn’t been an easy road.

John: It certainly hasn’t, and I’ve had my doubts, just as the team has had challenges. You look at teams like Stellenbosch, where the players don’t have to go to classes, apart from some light work with the dairy herd, perhaps, or a little crop rotation. Our boys have squeezed classes in between JJ’s opera classes, Marvin’s drama practicals and Herbie running the chess club. It’s been a huge challenge.

Dan: Herbie in particular’s had a challenging year, John…

John: He has, Dan. He’s an extraordinary front row forward, but he became a father for the fifth time this season; even Steve Hofmeyr hasn’t had to cope with fatherhood and the FNB Varsity Cup at the same time. But Herbie called his new daughter Tukkies to commemorate our victory over Pretoria, and I think he’s a stronger man for it.

Dan: You also had the love and support of backline coach Robbie Fleck to help you.

John: Let me tell you a story, Dan. Pre-season training was tough, and in one session in particular, it wasn’t going so well. Guys dropping balls, spilling passes, basically playing like Frans Ludeke was coaching them. I was emotionally spent, and I didn’t know what to do. Fleckie came up to me, looked at me, and gave me a hug. A simple gesture from a great man, and suddenly I had the strength to continue. He might not have been able to outrun Deon Kayser, and he may have George Clooney’s hair, but to me he’ll always be a hero.

Dan: Things have changed for you very suddenly, John — how’re you coping with the fame?

John: It’s a new experience, certainly. I had half a dozen autograph requests at the George festival last weekend, although four of them did think I was the lead singer from Right Said Fred. And the interviews are coming thick and fast — there’s a sidebar on me in the Southern Suburbs Tatler next week, and a community radio station in Kimberley is doing a feature on me just after midnight next Tuesday, which is quite exciting.

Dan: And I believe you got to meet Francois Pienaar?

John: That was life defining, Dan, life defining. Sure, he’s quite an important guy from FNB, but I think most of us still think of him as the guy from the Lays crisps advert, and he’s a star in that respect. He also used to play rugby, which is a nice coincidence. But those adverts — seriously cool.

Dan: Top of the log — are you favourites now?

John: We’ve had a lot of challenges to come back from, Dan — Dave Edgar’s series of self-inflicted groin strains, and the rash Craig Kleu picked up on his holiday to Thailand with Robbie Kempson. But we’ve overcome that, and we’ll overcome anything else that comes our way. I honestly believe we can go the distance. And I’ll be seriously stoked if we do.

Dan: Finally, John, calls for you to become Springbok coach…

John: I’m honoured, Dan. I’ve read Long Walk To Freedom, Jake White’s book, and he did a great job. And I hope Giniel de Villiers does well as his replacement — he was superb in the Paris-Dakar, and I wish him all the best. But I’d love to coach the Boks: the international travel, the free kit, the chance to meet Schalk Burger. Fleckie always tells me that dreams can come true; after what we’ve done in the FNB Varsity Cup, I’m inclined to be believe him. I truly, truly am.

Contact Dan at dan@metropolis.co.za

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