Have you ever wondered what rugby people get up to over the festive season? Well, wonder no more, as thanks to our intrepid spy, you can 'spend' Christmas time with some of the biggest names in world rugby.

NEIL DE KOCK
Saracens and Springbok scrumhalf

It's all about getting back to his roots for Neil de Kock, with the Sarries star getting together with some old Springbok pals: "We're training on Christmas Eve, as we're playing on Saturday, but afterwards myself, Brent Russell — who is visiting from France, De Wet Barry and Wikus van Heerden will do a Christmas Eve dinner with our families. It will be quite a relaxed Christmas, however, especially with such a big game against London Irish on the cards."

NAKA DROTSKÉ
Free State Cheetahs coach

After a busy 2008 season — which included long Super 14 and Currie Cup campaigns — the Cheetahs mentor will simply be chilling on Christmas Day: "We're going to take it easy and have a nice braai with family and close friends."

ROBBIE FLECK
Former WP, Stormers and Springbok centre

Fleckie, a popular columnist on rugby365 and iafrica.com, has had a busy 2008, but he's excited at the prospect of his first Christmas as a father: "We're just doing a family thing at my folks' this year, but it will be great with my son Jack in the mix too! It's been a long year, what with the Varsity Cup, my columns, the regular coaching at UCT, my everyday work at Jag and also the Cape Town Tens — but it all augurs well for an exciting 2009. Merry Christmas to everyone and I look forward to catching up again in the New Year."

Click HERE for Fleckie's Christmas wishlist!

ANDY GOODE
Brive and England flyhalf

rugby365 columnist Goodey finds himself in Canada at the moment: "It's the first time I've had a week off over Christmas, so myself Sonja and Ella-Grace are over in Canada to visit my old Saracens team-mate Morgan Williams. Morgan and his wife Robyn are Ella-Grace's god parents, so we'll be spending Christmas with them in Vancouver. Merry Christmas to all rugby365 readers and here's to a fantastic 2009!"

DAN HIPKISS
Leicester Tigers and England centre

The fleet-footed midfield back has a busy 25th planned: "My parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on the 23rd, so we're going to make a double celebration on Christmas Day. Of course, we're training on Christmas Eve, and playing against Quins on Saturday, so I will take it easy, but we're doing a big family lunch on the 25th at a hotel in Harrogate and then in the evening I'll drive back to Leicester and stop in at Timmy Taylor's. I don't want many presents; I simply want to stay fit and healthy in 2009 and continue enjoying my rugby!"

GEORDAN MURPHY
Leicester Tigers and Ireland fullback

The multi-skilled Tigers star is planning a very quiet Christmas in 2008: "I wanted to train on the 25th, but the fitness staff at the club told me to take it easy. I'll have a wee lie-in, then Johne Murphy invited me for breakfast at his place. The Kiwi contingent at Tigers also invited be round for a bbq at their place, but I will be lunching with Lewis (Moody), as he lives just down the road from me and I am also the god father to his son, Dylan, so it will be great to spend the day with them. We have a team run on the 26th, as we're playing on Saturday, so I will be taking it very easy on the day!"

BOB SKINSTAD
Former WP, Stormers, Sharks and Springbok No.8

Cape Town Tens host Bob Skinstad is in Cape St Francis for the festive season, which involves plenty of fishing, surfing, eating and watching the Proteas in action Down Under: "The whole family will be together and it'll be a typical South African Christmas for us — time on the beach; gammon, chicken and salad for lunch; followed by a nice little afternoon snooze!"

Click HERE for Bob's Christmas wishlist!

THE RUGBY365/IAFRICA.COM SPORTS TEAMS

With all the rugby action in the northern hemisphere and the Australia/South Africa cricket series there will be no rest for us, but we will hopefully be enjoying some turkey and egg nog with families and friends after yet another long, but exciting sports year come Christmas Day. Merry Christmas to all our readers, thank you for all your support and here's to another jam-packed sporting year in 2009!

  • Rugby fans, what would YOU like for Christmas this year — A Tri-Nations title for the Boks? A Super 14 win for an SA team? Luke Watson in the news for rugby reasons only? Leave a comment below!
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