Extract from ‘Captain in the Cauldron’ by John Smit.
Andre Venter was a guy who set an intimidating example. In the week before I wore the Bok No2 jersey for the first time – the 37-33 win against Argentina in November 2000 – I shared a hotel room with him in Buenos Aires.
Courtesy Simnikiwe Xabanisa, Sunday Times
I was terrified. I was still wet behind the ears and he was a highly respected senior Springbok. I was awestruck.
Andre made me train in the gym with him and nearly killed me. He was unbelievably strong.
At night when we’d go back to our room, he would have a can of Coke next to his bed with a Bible. I’d get into bed and the TV would be on, but at exactly 9pm he would tell me to switch it off and put the main light out. He would then read out aloud to me from the Bible. After the reading he would say a prayer, open his Coke, drink half of it, and fall asleep by 9:30pm. Every night was exactly the same.
I was a 22-year-old soutie living the dream in Durban and while I wouldn’t say I was off the rails, it was quite a culture shock to interact with this colossus of a man, this Bok legend with such strong moral fibre. That’s just how he lived his life.
I had experienced a taste of his discipline earlier that season at a team-building evening where the drinks were flowing. Andre wasn’t a big drinker, but he would have the odd beer, and here I was with party boys Robbie Kempson and Robbie Fleck charging me up. We were going flat out when Venter pulled me aside.
“Soutie, wat drink jy (what are you drinking)?” he asked.
“Vodka, lime and lemonade,” I replied.
“As jy rugby wil speel, drink jy net bier (if you want to play rugby, you must only drink beer), no hard tack. OK?!”
I nodded respectfully and immediately switched to beer.
In Jake White’s time as Springbok coach, Andre was the guest at our jersey presentation on two occasions, in 2004 and 2007.
The first occasion was hugely emotional. Andre had been struck down with a rare, debilitating muscle disease and arrived at our Bloemfontein hotel in a wheelchair.
It was the most humbling experience of our careers because we all saw Andre as the lion, the ultimate Bok warrior, and none more so than Jake. For Jake, Andre epitomised everything good about a Bok: big, strong, skilful, honest, and hard-working, with the fearless, no-nonsense attitude of a true soldier.
That jersey presentation was the most emotional one I’ve ever attended. Jake, as usual, introduced the guest, but could barely get a word out, and the tears were flowing.
He was struggling to contain his emotions, as were the players, because Andre was a hero who had trained harder than any Springbok before him and conquered everyone in front of him. I could see it was tough for Jake, but Andre just smiled at him every now and again and said: “Moenie (don’t) worry nie, Jake.” It was incredibly moving.
I’m not surprised Jake got so choked up because he’s one of the most passionate about Springbok rugby I’ve ever met. He holds a high regard for the old-school values that have made the Boks such a force: tradition, honesty, loyalty, patriotism and hard work.
Andre Venter epitomised all these qualities.
Jan Andre
Firstly respect to Andre Venter , what a player and what a man , he did south africa proud
2ndly it is difficult to understand how people in here and elsewhere , specially people like grant that have sworn and riddiculed, a hero and true ambassador to South Africa like John Smit.
He is not only arguably one of the finest sportsman or captains this country has ever produced, but a true gentleman and a wonderful person
I have had the honour of meeting this man, and it a very humbling experience, what mamazes me is how people can swear at him when they dont even know the facts.
I understand its anyones opinion,but when people say things about a person that has given his all for this country , and achieved way beyond their little minds can even imagine.
One can see the respect John Smit has for the Bok jersey and his fellow players , senior or not , from the past or today, those that swear and riddicule him are the poor souls that have no clue and have no idea in life , so sad
Morne thanks for the article , I was going to do a whole thing about that whole page in the sunday times , but thanks
I have not been one shouting down Luke Watson on the blogs and just soughta stayed out of it, but reading this makes me really angry, and I doubt any of us in here truelly understands what it means to pull a Bok jersey over your shoulders.
As a player this year he was brilliant yes , but the game and country is bigger then the person , and if all his true about his attitude he should never be allowed near a Bok team again
#2 Sharky
Ahem my brother.
Andre Venter… now there’s a LEGEND…. one can go to WAR with a man like that…
John, thanks for respecting him…
First of all. Andre Venter a true Bok and what a gentleman too.
Now got the papers this morning and in there it said “Captain in the Cauldron” is a outstanding book one of the best reads. So went out to buy and enjoying everything that I have read so far. Must say had to jump quick and read about the Luke thingie a bit and there was NOTHING there that we never knew already. Only about a page on that.
So really before anyone shouts their mouths off about that they have to buy the book and read it. So far loving this book.
The message from Victor and Os to John was spine chilling both great, great legends themselves.
To John you are a gentleman and a TRUE leader and South Africa can be very proud you are their son and our Bok Captain may you still be there until 2011 to lift that cup once again for us.
To those that don’t see John like that they must really be in denial.
2 – Sharky. GREAT POST. Well said brother.
Hello ruggatalkers, hope you are all fine on this beautiful Sunday.
My blog time is limited, I am at cousin’s mercy using his office pc occasionally, but I have only this to say about John’s book (not having been able to read it yet):
Sharky/Puma
Whatever John says I believe, unreservedly.
All those, wherever/whoever they are, who denounce this Springbok legend, are probably the same people who thought that that little Zulu rafta ‘sang’ our sacred anthem beautifully yesterday, and they are most probably the same groupies still thinking that Luke is the best loosie in the RSA….
Now, I am headed for the shade and the bedroom, have to leave at sundown to avoid driving in 40C plus….cheers all, be good.
8 – Piet, Get the book Piet it is a great, great read so far.
Hurry before you heat that heat of 40C. Now that is hot.
Cheers Piet.
9 another typo. You see Carol I make too many. 😀
heat = hit
al wat ek kan se is andre venter jy het my respek al jarre terug verdien toe jy nie die cheetahs gedrop het vir geld nie.m.a.w.lojaal en getrou aan jou waardes, ysterman op die veld en gentleman af van die veld af
11
Andre was een van die getrouste Vrystaat spelers wat ek geken het.
12 super janee sy soort is ver uit mekaar ek kry die idee dat danie rossow ook so ‘n tiepe mens is en ook fdp
Can’t wait to read the book.
Andre nogsteeds in my oë die beste 7 wat ons nog gehad het. Ek het al gehoor hul sê die man was so fiksheidsbehep, dat hy sommer op sy eie ook gaan oefen het, terwyl die ander manne gerus het.
Tragies wat met hom gebeur het, en tog moet ons raaksien dat sy lewe gelukkig nie net oor rugby gegaan het nie, anders sou hy ook seker gesukkel het om hierdie terugslag in sy lewe te verwek. Die Bybel-lees gewoonte wys hy was en is ‘n man van karakter, ‘n yster in die goeie sin van die woord.
Ek het ook lekker gelag vir die Coke drink voor slaaptyd. As ek Coke drink voor slaaptyd, dan bly ek die hele nag wakker (caffein hou mens mos wakker), maar ou Andre drink dit om aan die slaap te raak. Hehe !
Oor Smit kan ‘n mens net kop skud as mense nie besef watter groot speler hy is nie. Wat baie nie besef nie, rugby is ‘n spansport, en behalwe vir individuele briljantheid, het jy spelers nodig wat al daardie vaardighede kan saambring en saamspan, met een doel: om die beste span in die wêreld te wees. Neem ook in ag dat Smit ook spelers van verskillende provinsies moet saamlei, sodat hul saam en nie teen mekaar sal speel nie, en dan besef ‘n mens watter skitterende kaptein hy was en is.
Dit is nou ongelukkig baie duidelik, veral na Smit se boek, dat Luke as youngster ingekom het, nie om te volg nie, nie om die span te volg nie, maar sommer om die leisels te wil oorneem en sy eie politieke agenda te bevorder. Luke het nog duidelik nie die beginsel van Luk.22:26 geleer, soos dit ook van toepassing is in spansport nie.
Andre, jy het die oorwinning behaal op die veld. Sterkte met die lewensstryd wat nog voorlê.
John, sterkte met die kapteinskap wat nou voorlê. Jy het die bokspan tot die beste in wêreldrugby gelei, dit gaan nog moeiliker wees om hul daar te hou.
#15 bdb
Contrary to popular believe, Coke makes you sluggish and tired.
Blame it on the high sugar content.
16: ek dog nog altyd “suiker is energie” ? Lyk my ‘n mens kan soveel coke drink soos jy wil, solank jy net gereeld oefen, of wat sê die fiksheidsguru’s ?
But isn’t sugar supposed to give you energy, you say? Well, contrary to popular belief, all sugars are not created equal. Yes, our bodies need sugar for energy – but not refined, white sugar. Fruits, vegetables and grains are in fact the proper sources of energy needed by the body and should be what make up the vast majority of the diet, and the only sources of sugar. Your body breaks down these types of complex carbohydrates slowly and gradually converts them into glucose – also known as ‘blood sugar’. In short, fruits, vegetables and grains are real, energy-giving foods, while refined, white sugar is in fact not a food at all, but a highly addictive substance. Let me explain.
During the ‘refinement’ process the original plant – the sugar cane or sugar beet – is stripped of all beneficial fiber and vital nutrients, leaving nothing but a handful of glistening, pure white crystals, as “pure” as cocaine, which is derived from the coca plant or heroin, which originates from the innocent poppy flower. Just a few tiny grains of sugar on the tongue will provide evidence of its intense potency.
Not only does refined white sugar not feed the body, it in fact actually causes damage to the body. Refined sugar crystals, hidden inside of cookies, sodas, muffins, cakes, pies, ice cream, etc., are so ‘pure,’ that – like a drug – they soak right through the intestinal wall and go straight into the bloodstream, providing far more glucose than needed for that moment. The body needs a sustained, slow release of energy, not a huge, ‘burnout’ burst all at once, followed by a crash and that yucky, depressed feeling one gets after eating too much sugar. There’s a sugar high and then, a while later, a let down. That ‘depression’ has caused people to go looking for causes other than the right one – the consumption of refined, white sugar. Also, when the body has extra glucose that it cannot use, it is turned into fat and deposited – guess where.
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/tiredness-report.html
18@ Pilletjies – Oi man, luckily my condensed milk does’nt make me tired or sluggish… hehehe
19@ GBS.
Watch net uit vir uitbrand voor jou tyd.Jy klink vir my darm net te besig.
20@ Pilletjies – Ek het die energie van 3 ouens… ek is soos ‘n rubberballetjie… moeilik om stil te hou!
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