This one’s Spiesiaal

This one’s Spiesiaal

28 Jun 2006

SA U21 star Pierre Spies has dedicated his inclusion into the Springbok squad to his late father.

While it is always a great occasion when a young man becomes a Springbok, the inclusion of the ultra-talented Spies in Jake White’s Bok squad is extra special.

Pierre Spies snr was a try-scoring machine for Northern Transvaal (now the Blue Bulls) in the 1970′s, scoring a phenomenal 59 tries in 45 matches. He never got the Bok call-up many believe he deserved. And in October 2004 he passed away suddenly at the age of 53.

Now 29 years after hanging up his boots and nearly two years after his shock death, Spies snr is smiling, says his son. “I know he would have loved to have been a Springbok and he would have loved even more to be alive today to share this with me,” Spies jnr told keo.co.za moments after hearing of his inclusion on Wednesday.

“I know he is watching me and I have done this for him, but thanks to God for blessing me with the talent,” a still shell-shocked Spies said.

“Since we landed yesterday it has been chaos. When we were in France (with the Baby Boks) we never heard anything as we stayed away from media distractions, but since we arrived home it has hit us hard.”

Spies was having a few niggles checked out by Blue Bulls Dr Tommie Smook, when the email came through on the doctor’s computer around lunch-time on Wednesday. “He broke the news to me and I’m still trying to get my head around it. It’s very exciting.”

Spies was joined by fellow new caps Chiliboy Ralepelle, JP Pietersen and Akona Ndungane in a new-look 28-man squad for the away leg of the Vodacom Tri-Nations. The squad depart next Thursday.

By Andrew Hollely


24 Comments

  • 1.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 14:33 pm

    Champion

  • 2.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 14:33 pm

    i won again!

  • 3.jonnow: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 14:34 pm

    Well done Pierre JP Chillieboy and Akona.

  • 4.wls: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 14:34 pm

    hes a great talent, good luck.

  • 5.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 14:35 pm

    what a player for the future!

  • 6.Mongril: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 14:35 pm

    Just please don’t make him “SA Player of the Year”!

    It’s a death sentence!

    Look at who’s who in the provincial hospital these days:

    2003: Ashwin Willemse
    2004: Schalk Burger
    2005: Bryan Habana

    Eina!!!

    Make Jorrie player of the year – please!!!

  • 7.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 14:36 pm

    Al die bulle is legends!

  • 8.Anvil: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 14:38 pm

    Definitely this boy has class written all over him.Gradually easing him into the big league is the way to go.

    Watch out 2011 RWC !

  • 9.wicked wugby wascal: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 14:43 pm

    lol @ mongril!

    Well done lad – he has been trying hard.

    Was there no call up for that sharks flanker as well? He is phucking brillant! Jaco Botes I thik his name is. All over the field with pace to burn (for a flanker).

  • 10.ktb: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 14:46 pm

    He has pace & pace goes a very long way to winning matches. Perhaps he should play wing were he was being groomed as the next LOMU, cause he can surely ourun PAULSE.
    Will Chiliboy play? — or is another “nokwe” go along for the “ride” — a far better bet than SHIMMIE & possibly the next BOK CAPTAIN, that will make the politicians happy.

  • 11.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 14:48 pm

    jaques botes

  • 12.wpw: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 14:53 pm

    supa, al die bulle? wessel vetgat roux ook? wat van casper steyn? bwahahahhaahhahahahaa

    en moenie vergeet van frikkie welsh nie…

  • 13.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 14:56 pm

    Mongril , Was Bobby also not player of the year before his injury ? Congrats to the newcomers and goodluck boys.

  • 14.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 15:01 pm

    ok nie casper nie maar hy is nou n puma. Frkkie was amper springbok! (volgens keo)

  • 15.Mongril: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 15:04 pm

    Sparticus, I do believe so.

    Must be the weight of expectations that crush their young bones shortly after the awards ceremony…

  • 16.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 15:24 pm

    nice one !

  • 17.cab: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 15:27 pm

    good player, wonder where he’ll be selected for the boks?

  • 18.bok_befok: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 15:28 pm

    one of the best thread headings in quite a while… nice one Andrew!

  • 19.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 16:45 pm

    Dankie Bok!

  • 20.JUSM: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 17:41 pm

    hey! casper is ‘n legend. fok. check die supersport rekords vir individual players.

    makie bulle almal booookke

  • 21.kamate: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 19:17 pm

    It is premature to get carried away. Let’s see how he shapes up. TriNations not breeding ground for talented players. The so-called inbounding tours would have been ideal. Nevertheless, good luck to new caps. Hope they get decent game time!

  • 22.keg: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 21:20 pm

    Geluk Pierre, bly om te sien die oud-Affies begin deur kom!

  • 23.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 21:42 pm

    Staal, Stan,

    Julle het belangrike Mail!!

    Vinger op die knoppie, eerste om te bel kry ‘n groot bonus!!!

    Ek gaan nie vroeg slaap nie!

  • 24.The rockspider: Reply to this comment
    28 Jun 2006, 22:23 pm

    GrootBlouSmile!

    Watse knoppe is jy mee besig?

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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