I am virtually speechless, gobb-smacked… I actually touched rugby history today!

Rugby-Talk was invited to the grand opening of the Ellis Park Rugby Museum, which happened this morning.

The museum boasts probably the biggest single collection of rugby memorabilia in South Africa and probably the entire world, with memorabilia from the earliest days of rugby, rugby in South Africa both Provincially and on a Franchise level and of course probably the biggest element being the fantastic Springbok collection.

There are International jerseys, blasers, signed balls, penadants, artworks as well as other visual elements from all over, it is mind-boggling and to do justice to the exhibition one actually needs several hours to see everything properly, let alone study every ehibit.

The collection is owned by Swys Joubert, who played Provincial rugby in SA, and also played rugby in the UK and France.

Firstly, well done Swys, what an awesome experience!

The official Media Release about the museum follows at the bottom, so continue reading…

I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to Springbok and South African rugby legends like Avril Malan, Wynand Claassen, Kevin de Klerk, Klippies Kritzinger and a host more… eat your hearts out McLook and fellow Rugby-Talkers and Rugby-Talk readers!

Wynand Claassen was also kind enough to give me the telephone number of one of my childhood-heros, Piet Greyling, Springbok legend and captain, who lived a few houses from us when I was a young chappie, so I followed up and phoned Oom Piet… and dammit he and he wife remembers me all the way back to 1974, what a wonderful chat we had. I also phoned their son Johan, who was my age and one of the friends in the street, was so nice to catch up and go down memory lane!

Of my earliest rugby memores are of Springboks like Piet Greyling and Jan Ellis, Northern Transvaal (Blue Bulls) legends like Thys Lourens, Chris Luther and hard men like Moaner van Heerden. It took me back to memories of my first ever Test match that I was fortunate enough to see at Loftus Versfeld, when the mighty 1974 British Lions of Willie John McBride so thouroughly thrashed the Springboks in the series, with the result at Loftus 26 / 9 in favour of the Lions.

These are the men and the generations before and after them whose memorabilia are all contained in this wonderful rugby museum, it is a must see for anybody who has a rugby bone in their body!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZALjycChB4k[/youtube]

OK, enough waffling on about my memories and my heros, hereafter the Media release…

An impressive museum of rugby was today opened at Ellis Park Stadium. The state-of-the-art facility boasts an amazing collection of memorabilia and art, gathered over several decades, from some of the most iconic and legendary personalities of the game.

The opening was attended by press, special guests and ex-Springboks. The opening address was delivered by the principal collector Swys Joubert. Swys’ incredible collection includes some of the most precious artefacts and mementos.

The museum has been planned and structured to attract both international and local tourists. Discussions have already commenced to include Ellis Park Stadium tours and visits to the museum as standard offerings for the extensive and expanding tour operator network in Johannesburg.

Artefacts on display include one of the oldest Springbok blazers. The blazer dates back to 1903. Several original rugby paintings and a 1906 ball, autographed by that year’s Springbok team, are also on show.

From woman’s rugby and rugby league displays to a detailed layout of rugby jerseys from the past century, the Ellis Park Rugby Museum offers a fascinating trip through the birth and evolution of the game.

The Museum is not restricted only to South African items, and visitors will enjoy the experience of vieing rare scrumcaps, boots, flags, ties, blazers from all the corners of the globe. A pictoral history of the original form of the game provides any newcomer with a rare insight into the birth of rugby.

This official opening was made possible through the sponsorship of Imperial Collection whose sparkling array of cars set the tone for a great event. The museum has been set up in collaboration with the Golden Lions Rugby Union, who are working hard behind-the-scenes to prepare not only for possible Absa Currie Cup semi-finals and finals, but for their long awaited return to Super Rugby in 2014.

The museum is housed at the entrance to the iconic Ellis Park Stadium, and large images of legendary Golden Lions stars look down on all who enter. From Francois Pienaar to the current Lions President Kevin de Klerk, the entrance is an experience on its own and will be inspirational to Lions players and supporters.

This facility is not one that you will consider visiting only once. You will want to go back over and over!