The Lions’ unlikely hero

The Lions’ unlikely hero

5 Dec 2011

Josh Strauss has become a cult figure in Joburg but he very nearly fell into rugby obscurity.

Had it not been for Alan Zondagh, Sharks fans might have been spared the frustration inflicted on them by Strauss in the Currie Cup final, and he might instead have been attending to our furry friends in their hours of need. Before he was spotted playing club rugby by the former Western Province coach, the Strauss life plan was directed towards saving animal lives as a vet.

In the latest SA Rugby magazine, on sale this week, we reveal how Zondagh helped Strauss to play for Boland, and how his impressive performances for Maties in the Varsity Cup resulted in a trial at the Lions.

Strauss also reflects on the Lions’ triumphant Currie Cup campaign and looks ahead to next year’s Super Rugby tournament.

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Also in the new issue:

– SA Rugby magazine reveals how the Lions went from Super Rugby chumps in 2010 to Currie Cup champs in 2011

– John Mitchell on transforming the Lions, living in South Africa, preparing for Super Rugby, and the Springbok coaching job

– The Sharks started to develop a new team dynamic during the 2011 Currie Cup

– Heyneke Meyer’s wants the Bulls to become the world’s best domestic side again. We reveal his master plan

– Boland Kavaliers coach Eugene Eloff on winning the Currie Cup First Division, losing half of his side afterwards, and Saru’s decision to have six teams in the Premier Division

– SA Rugby magazine assesses the candidates who will be vying for the Springbok flyhalf jersey next year

– In an extract from his new autobiography, Butch James reveals how he was promised the Springbok No 10 jersey at the World Cup only to fall behind Morne Steyn in the pecking order

– Graham Henry finally has his inner peace – and his World Cup. Now he can get on with the rest of his life

– From zero to hero, jeers to cheers, agony to ecstasy, no one has a better handle on the fickle world of international rugby than World Cup winner Stephen Donald

– Thierry Dusautoir is an inspirational leader and officially the best rugby player on the planet

– The inaugural Rugby Championship will kick off on 18 August next year, two weeks after the Super Rugby final

– Francois Louw speaks to SA Rugby magazine about his new life in Bath, the recent World Cup campaign and why he hasn’t given up on playing for the Boks

– The Springbok Sevens went into the 2011-12 World Series with a settled squad


398 Comments

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  • 51.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:44 am

    I have increased sales by one RL

    Simon please send my free copy.

  • 52.au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir...: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:45 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-38:
    a manchurian candidate is an individual of one country who is captured by another country and then brainwashed into becoming an agent for that country.
    the manchurian agent is then reinserted into his ‘home country’ and at critical moments is activated by a remote command in order to act out his brainwashed orders.

    i put nothing past the nzru and its subsidiary the nz government.

    @Dawn(Dawn)-39:
    i am referring to the constant article suggesting that heyneke does not want the job and is soooo focussed on the bulls. this smacks of some kind of suggestive persuassion, don’t you think?

  • 53.Gunther: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:47 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-51:

    let’s wait until bergieboy’s money order clears before we pop the pongracz.

  • 54.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:48 am

    @au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-52: Josh is our manchurian.

    When he’s fully developed as a player we will snap our fingers and he will come back to Cape Town.

  • 55.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:48 am

    IloveyouBakkiesbotha

    What does the french bit mean of your nic?

  • 56.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:49 am

    I know what a manchurian is, iloveyoubakkiesbotha!

  • 57.mshiniwami: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:50 am

    Refreshing cover,Josh Strauss should be a decebt read.

    Next how about a Gio Aplon cover illustrating his life story,rugby struggles from being labelled undersized,to shipped off to 7′s then to the patheon of SA rugby the Springbok,how he never gave up.

    Or maybe a cover with Ndungane twins back to back to each other and their remarkable story from Eastern Cape to the Big time.

    Or Willem Alberts cover,from his less than successful junior stint at Bulls,injury ravaged early days at Lions,rise from nowhere chance given by Eugene Eloff then his controversial move to Sharks leading to him being possibly the best ball carrying loosie on the planet.

    Not another Spies issue esp cos he is captain of Bulls nw,or Schalk “bok captain in waiting” blah blah.

    Even a Juan Smith cover would be welcomed!

  • 58.grant10: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:51 am

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-46: i am with you on that!

  • 59.au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir...: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:51 am

    @Simon(Simon)-24:
    do you think you could perhaps put the following poll up, i would be quite greatfull?

    poll question:

    to all the real women out there, please answer this question:
    who do you love more, bakkies or josh?

  • 60.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:51 am

    Gunther.

    HM keohane is rolling in zar

    He pays his minions well

  • 61.Simon: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:53 am

    @au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-52: There was a very good movie about that – they got a brainwashed army oke to be vice president of the USA ….

  • 62.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:53 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-55: Goodbye something something goodbye

  • 63.au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir...: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:54 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-55:
    goodbye all blacks…

  • 64.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:54 am

    Iloveyoubakkiesbotha

    It would appear that real men love Bakkies, and us girls love Josh.

  • 65.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:57 am

    You guys are weird.

    In love with Bakkies.

    Ja simon The Manchurian Candidate. Denzel was in it.

  • 66.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:57 am

    @au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-63: oh i see

  • 67.au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir...: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:59 am

    @Simon(Simon)-61:
    you are skirting two solid questions, simon.

    remember, even not answering a question reveals a lot.

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-54:
    i’m pretty certain josh strauss will never play for the stormers, unless its an end of career mercenary move.

  • 68.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 09:59 am

    Anyone know where I can find the soundtrack to The Lincoln Lawyer.

    No-one has it! Only amazon, and I have to pay in dollars!

  • 69.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:00 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-65: @Simon(Simon)-61: The original one starred Frank Sinatra.

    And Janet Leigh. She of the ‘shower scene” in Psycho.

  • 70.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:02 am

    @au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-67: That’s why he’s a perfect plant.

  • 71.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:02 am

    Iloveyoubakkiesbotha

    Simon is off to dry cleaners to get his hooded robe, in order to consult with the “others” so he may wisely answer your questions.

  • 72.au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir...: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:02 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-64:
    agreed.
    that was my point all along, as i know it as a certified fact that without a doubt every man in the world loves bakkies botha.
    but you have got me intrigued to know whether the ladies would go for josh over bakkies….?..

  • 73.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:03 am

    Stormersboy how old are you

  • 74.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:08 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-73: LOL.

    Old school.

    But I moisturise.

  • 75.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:08 am

    Simple, iloveyoubakkiesbotha.

    Bakkies is ugly, josh is a beaut.

  • 76.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:08 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-74: LOL

  • 77.au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir...: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:09 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-71:
    some questions can never be asked….

    nomis, fi uoy era gnidaer siht, od ton eb demralla.

  • 78.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:10 am

    Do all the men here love bakkies botha?

  • 79.Roar my Lions .... Currie Cup Champions 2011: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:10 am

    @au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-59: dude we addressed this some time back ……….. it is not cool for a guy to love Bakkies …. admire him, follow him, respect him is okay, but love ….. no man it is just a bit brokeback.

  • 80.Kietzphat: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:10 am

    Con10tion.

    I see what you did there.

  • 81.au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir...: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:11 am

    i llahs tiaw rof a ngis.

  • 82.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:12 am

    It is a sweeping generalisation to say that “every man in the world loves bakkies botha”.

  • 83.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:12 am

    Dear Rugby Gods,

    May we have all our high-profile flyhalves playing 10 throughout the 2012 SR season.

    Pat Lambie being my main concern.

  • 84.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:13 am

    @Kietzphat(Kietzphat)-80: You chive?

  • 85.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:14 am

    Jinne kiezphat you a bit slow today!

  • 86.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:15 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-78: Only if it gets cold enough.

  • 87.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:16 am

    Hendrik

    We talking kuk today. Please save rugby for next year.

    BTW do you love bakkies botha?

  • 88.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:17 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-73: PS you know the movie(s) are actually based on a book, don’t you?

  • 89.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:17 am

    @hendrikp(hendrikp)-83: He convinced at the World Cup that he is a very good fullback and with Frans Steyn playing 12 we need a solid fullback with a decent boot.

    Bok backline for 2012

    9. Hougaard
    10. Elton Jantjies
    11. Mvovo
    12. F.Steyn
    13. Jaque Fourie (if he is up to standard if not then JdJ or Sadie)
    14. JPP
    15. Lambie

    This will also ensure that we dont need to pick a 10 on the bench because Pat can cover that.

  • 90.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:19 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-88: What movie(s)? Manchurian Candidate? That will be a great read.

  • 91.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:20 am

    Stormersboy!

    A book? Wazzat??

    Do you love bakkiesbotha?

  • 92.14261774: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:22 am

    i’ve watched strauss win us a varsity cup, even though i must admit he was not the most recognised player, and now a CC for my beloved Lions, how can I not luv this guy. JS for Springbok captain, JS for President!!!

  • 93.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:23 am

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-89:

    I agree… but I don’t agree that playing 10 & 15 would hurt him.

    10 for the Sharks.
    15 for the Boks.

  • 94.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:23 am

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-90: Richard Condon.

    Great Novelist. Wrote some other stuff that made it into movies too. Prizzi’s Honour for example.

    @Dawn(Dawn)-91: See post 86 ;)

  • 95.au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir...: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:24 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-75:
    gosh, bakkies is not ugly.
    sure josh has a pretty boy kind of look going but to make the jump to ‘bakkies is ugly’ is a bit harsh.

    @Roar my Lions …. Currie Cup Champions 2011(RL)-79:

    when i was a laaitie i once lost a fight and went home crying, on the way into the house i told my father about it through my tears.
    my father, in no time at all, proceeded to give me a moerse hiding and then told me to go back and fight the boy again, but that when i came back this time i was not to cry, win or lose…i did go back and fight the other boy and i lost again, but i never cried again…

    so in answer to any concerns you may have, i know that is code and i understand you. it is not and never will be cool for men to say i love you to anyone, even their women and children, let alone to another man… that is what makes us men.

  • 96.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:25 am

    The nic with all the numbers.

    You can’t say JS. You must be specific.

    Otherwise everyone think john smit.

    BTW do you love bakkies botha?

  • 97.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:26 am

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-89:

    I also think Jaque Fourie kissed his Springbok jersey goodbye.

    Would’ve been a sure thing had he kept playing in Europe rather.

  • 98.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:27 am

    @hendrikp(hendrikp)-93: That could work. In Fact whoever is the form 10 in the S15 should play 10 for the Boks as simple as that.

  • 99.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:27 am

    Iloveyoubakkiesbotha.

    One word.

    Therapy.

  • 100.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    5 Dec 2011, 10:28 am

    @14261774(14261774)-92:

    We definitely talking kuk today.

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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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