Tour Diary (Currie Cup final)

Tour Diary (Currie Cup final)

28 Oct 2012

Keegan Daniel’s prima donna outburst, mistaken as the Sharks’ mascot and travelling back to Cape Town with the victorious WP team.

This was my first trip to Durban, so I was looking forward to experiencing life on the east coast. I was welcomed by rain and humid conditions on Tuesday morning, and wasn’t too impressed to miss out on a hot day (temperatures hit 31°C) back in the Mother City. But still, I was hoping for the best.

I didn’t have the best introduction at King Shaka International Airport.

My first stop was at the car hire office. You can imagine my surprise when I was told that I was upgraded to a higher class as the vehicles designated to me were all given away already. I usually drive a Volkswagen Polo GTI or Hyundai I20 when touring, so I expected a luxury vehicle. The counter lady handed me a Toyota key and guided me to parking lot. A MR2 maybe?

In the aisle, I passed BMWs, Audis and a Mercedes Benz. My excitement grew. But what an anti-climax when I ended up at a Toyota Innova – fit for a soccer mom.

In I got (reluctantly), and off I went. On my way out, I had no idea a toll gate was waiting for me around the corner. As a Cape Town boytjie, I’m not used to paying tariffs as I travel around the city. The main issue was the fact that I don’t carry any cash on me – I prefer swipe.

This was my conversation with the toll gate official:

Official: R4 please.

Me: I don’t have any cash, I only have a debit card.

Official: No debit cards. Do you have a credit card?

Me: Nope.

Official: Do you have any foreign monies on you?

Me: I’m from Cape Town.

Official: Well, you’ll have to get out your car and ask the other people for cash.

Me: Seriously?

Official: Yes sir. No R4, no way through.

Unbelievable. I literally had to get out of my car, ask the guy parked behind me for a R4 (he did so with a big laugh) and eventually they let me through. Welcome to Durban, Gareth.

At least I got to witness a hilarious moment shortly before the Sharks press conference later that afternoon. Captain Keegan Daniel was at the table, speaking to his media officer, not knowing the microphone in front of him was switched on. They were discussing his trip to the SA Rugby Awards to be held in Cape Town on Thursday night. To the shock of the journalists present, Keegan said angrily: ‘I’m not flying down if I’m not winning anything. Surely you guys will know these things before the actual event? It wastes a whole day of my break’.

Apart from the rugby affairs and the great game witnessed at Kings Park, I had an enjoyable stay overall. Some of the surroundings aren’t flattering and Durban doesn’t have the nightlife that I’m used to back in Cape Town, but the locals were very friendly. And they seemed to like my hairstyle.

For those who don’t know, I’m the only rugby writer in South Africa who dons the mohawk haircut. I’ve managed to turn down Ryan Vrede’s numerous suggestions of alternative styles. The mohawk proved to be a major hit in Durban. The regular questions I was asked were ‘You’re not from here hey? Do you play soccer?’ and ‘Are you on TV? I saw you on TV’. But my favourite moment happened in the Morningside Spar, when a youngster shouted: ‘Daddy, daddy look, it’s Sharkboy!‘ Ah the innocence of youth.

On Sunday morning, I found myself travelling home with the entire WP family on the flight back to Cape Town. This included the U21s and U19s, who looked on proudly as the senior team carried the Currie Cup trophy into the airport. The public treated the players and management like celebrities.

Head coach Allister Coetzee looked like a president, receiving a handshake from every person he passed. Gio Aplon was the DJ, providing the music for his team-mates. Celebrations galore.

On the plane, Scarra Ntubeni carried the Currie Cup trophy down the aisle, to the cheers of all the people on board. Joe Pietersen even got to sit in the pilot’s cockpit. Jebb Sinclair also revealed to me that he will return to London Irish this Thursday after an ‘experience of a life time’ with WP and the Stormers this season.

I mistakenly took Eben Etzebeth’s seat. You can imagine my shock as the monster lock approached me. After a quick chat, I realised I was in 7C and was supposed to be in 6C. Luckily I wasn’t Nathan Sharpe – no head-butt for me. The youngster turns 21 on Monday, and will celebrate his birthday in Montagu before joining the Springboks on Wednesday.

Many players looked hung over as the team enjoyed one hell of a jol last night. They also received a great reception at Cape Town International Airport, even receiving a welcome from the Western Cape Premier Hellen Zille. This was all well-deserved. After 11 years of cup heartache, a major trophy will finally find its place in the Province cabinet.

After a week of heavy cloud cover,rain and gale-force winds, I’m glad to be coming home to sunny Cape Town. Thank you Durban, it was good while it lasted.

By Gareth Duncan


36 Comments

  • 1.Bagel: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:08 pm

    Look as lame as Keegan’s comment was (and I don’t particularly like him), to say

    “Daniel was a lonely figure as the team boarded, while the rest of the players mingled with one another.”

    is just bull, and serious tabloid stuff to come to such conclusions from that. The guy is the Captain of his franchise and is clearly well liked (Not by me!)

    Seriously Gareth… How is that even farking relevant to Rugby. A guy can’t stand on his own at the Airport? Gzuz.

  • 2.Bagel: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:09 pm

    On another note though, went to Sodwana Bay to dive in June and wow the Toll roads are unbelievable… Obscene prices charged on the North Coast.

  • 3.Caper: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:15 pm

    @Bagel-1: I agree with you on Keegan. If he’s captain of the Sharks he’ll be well liked. Bob Skinstad mentioned once what a great guy he is too. And I can understand him not wanting to go to the SA Rugby Awards. He’s been playing rugby for almost 9 months on end and probably won’t be selected for the Boks. He’ll want to rest and relax as much as possible at home in Durban.

  • 4.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:18 pm

    Keegan “I’m not coming if I’m not winning” Daniel.

    LOL

  • 5.honest79: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:21 pm

    Gareth , bad journalism bro. I dont know K.Daniels an to me he will make a good impact player only , not good enough for starting lineup. Wy mention the above ???what relevance does it have?

  • 6.offsides: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:21 pm

    This is the most ridiculous piece of drivel i have ever read…

  • 7.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:22 pm

    A good read indeed…

  • 8.Bagel: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:24 pm

    @Caper-3: He should still go, it’s an honour to be nominated and to not go is certainly arrogant and rude to his fellow Rugby comrades who were nominated.

  • 9.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:24 pm

    I remember the first time at King Shaka and paying the R4 toll, thinking I had to pay it on my way back and there is no toll going to airport. I found it strange only to hear you paying for the little bridge over the highway that was put up for Durban bound traffic… :lol:

  • 10.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:25 pm

    @Bagel-8:

    …especially when the mike was on for everyone to hear…

  • 11.shooter: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:32 pm

    @Bagel-1: listen bigboy. stop using gzuz as euphimism for *****. it’s very unbecoming.

  • 12.Fern: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:39 pm

    thanks shooter,i agree

  • 13.The Bill: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:41 pm

    Must have been tough growing up in your household if that qualifies as a prima donna tantrum! Next thing when you are looking for an interview with KD, he refuses and you call him a ****, everyone will think he is one, but in the light of that, I don’t think you have much of a point.

    The oke has probably racked up more flying miles this year than a migrating blue *** & now he needs to take time out of his holidays to fly some more…

    Reflecting on this article, I think you are either paid by the word & looking to recover your expenses or you enjoyed a few of the alternative substances Durbs is famous for & the effects have not yet worn off.

  • 14.honest79: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:44 pm

    @The Bill-13: lol.show him the bill

  • 15.charo: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:48 pm

    so, half the story is about getting a toyota instead of a polo gt?

    hmmmm……

  • 16.Liewe Luiperd: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 12:58 pm

    kuk article

  • 17.sean: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 13:33 pm

    Do you get paid for this ****?

  • 18.OCO: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 14:00 pm

    As unbiased as your rugby commentaries.
    What a lot of drivel.
    You go to another city with no cash on you too. Dude it’s the same country! They also use Rand there or do you think Rand is only used in the Country of Western province?
    Are you dumb or dumber?

  • 19.cuntlyn: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 14:06 pm

    Ok Gareth, homework well done. On Monday u ask Mrs Pennybottom if u can read it to the rest of the class. Oh, and don’t forget to carry her bag when she enters the school gate.

    Now off you go and have a haiircut.

  • 20.uhuru: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 14:13 pm

    HOW DARE GARETH POST AN ARTICLE THAT DOESN’T FULFILL MY EXPECTATIONS!! AGHAST!! I FEEL COMPELLED TO COMMENT AND DISCUSS HOW DISGUSTED I AM, I CANT EVEN ENJOY MY PUDDING NOW!!

  • 21.GarethDuncan: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 14:25 pm

    Lol Plenty of crabby Sharks fans reading this today!

  • 22.Slappes: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 14:45 pm

    Lol @ Gareth

  • 23.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 15:42 pm

    @GarethDuncan-21: yep…enjoyed it chap…

  • 24.JustAnotherFan: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 16:06 pm

    @Gareth: Want to know why I stopped my subscription to SA Rugby Magazine and read other sports mags instead? When I have to read utter **** like the above. I am not even a Sharks fan. Have respect for guys like Keegan Daniel. Without them, you won’t have a job in journalism.

  • 25.digger: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 16:54 pm

    Context too Gareth, in private conversations I might say thing like, “I am going to kill him” but I can safely say I have yet to kill someone. Sounds like KD was expressing an unwillingness to jump on another plane to be window dressing at yet another event. Prima donna, I think not!

  • 26.GarethDuncan: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 17:06 pm

    @JustAnotherFan How did I disrespect Daniel? Was I snooping for something controversial? No. It happened. I was there. Thought it was funny, something different. Some of you get too serious.

  • 27.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 17:19 pm

    @GarethDuncan-26:

    Cool article Gareth, nice read.
    Laugh off the grumpies, they only a bunch of sour sad sacks.

  • 28.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 17:28 pm

    @Robzim-27: There are going to be many negative Nellies and Lopsy losers who are going to take offence to everything written for the next 2 weeks…
    Once the Boks get going, all the sadness and bitterness will vanish.

  • 29.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 18:31 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-28: how dare this mohawked gareth take pot shots at the christian cullen of loosies? ;)

  • 30.GarethDuncan: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 21:36 pm

    @Robzim-27: @Transformation-29: Cheers!

  • 31.whatever: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 23:43 pm

    lekkker………..well done boys

    Boooom! and friggn Booom again

  • 32.whatever: Reply to this comment
    28 Oct 2012, 23:46 pm

    Pity our National (Is he really?) Coach still wears the blue glasses………..remind me again what they won this year????

    So how come there are so many of the plonkers in the Bok squad??

  • 33.numba4lock: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2012, 00:25 am

    I am a sharks fan and i thought the article was entertaining

    dont think KD would take offence, though he does have a point his probibly tired after the longest 9 month of his life, guys been playin none stop since feb

  • 34.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2012, 08:15 am

    lol I enjoyed it Gareth, entertaining read.

  • 35.bulldog6: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2012, 09:16 am

    Great Gareth – some plonkers have no sense of humour………….lol

  • 36.Superbru: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 18:18 pm

    @GarethDuncan-21:
    This^^^^^^

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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