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!
Anybody read this???
falkeauge,
I saw you registered the other day and posted a comment or 2… but have not had the opportunity to welcome you on Rugby-Talk, the Friendly Rugby website.
Welcome!
Give us your impressions of the site.
I will definitely make a trip out there when I can!
3 @ Stormersboy:
Jeeeez, its amazing… I though I was going to a smaller museum… with far less items… it is just mind-boggling how 1 man managed to get the stuff together in 1 lifetime!
Quality stuff, man… not just multimedia exhibitions like I hear The Rugby Experience Museum in Cape Town mostly consists of.
Here you can smell, feel and almost taste the history… it is a feast for a real rugby supporter!
@ grootblousmile:
Isn’t it quite the most incredible collection? It must have left you breathless.
Great stuff!
I remember Swys, played centre for the then SWA and Transvaal, with Dries Maritz. He used to have a museum at home in the Northen suburbs, saw it on tv with Kobus and Toks once.
5 @ TonyM:
Totally!
Very glad you had me invited, many thanks!
6 @ Pietman:
Old Swys’ body has seen better days… hehehe
He is quite crocked at present, knees look shot to ribbons… hehehe
@ grootblousmile:
Yes, I watched the video only now, he looks a bit heavy for a center! I saw him play a few times, he was a fearsome tackler, I recall.
9 @ Pietman:
Swys is not a tall chap… hell even Moaner van Heerden does not appear tall anymore compared to locks these days… and to think they were giants in their era!
Goeie herinneringe GBS.
11 @ Owen Meany:
Dit was great, Owen!
Next time I go to the Park, I want to visit. Is there an entrance fee?
En hier sit ek in NZ en kan boggerrol vannit sien. Hoop jy kry a kramp in die egterstewe GBS :).
Demmit wens ek kon dit sien.
@ McLook:
Dink jy moet Swys of die museum se nommer by GBS kry, jy kan dalk self n bydrae lewer.
Die museum lyk great, skoon hoendervleis gekry om die video te kyk.
Eish ou GBS jy het hard gewerk met hierdie site en jy verdien om nou sulke geleenthede by te woon. Ek dink SARU moet jou op hul permanente gastelys te plaas.
13 @ Lion4ever:
There’s no entrance Fee that I know of… maybe there will be when it is incorporated in a tour of the whole Ellis Park stadium as well.
14 @ McLook:
McLook, jy sou in jou broek gebollie het as jy al daai goed kon sien… mater jy verstaan nie watse waarde en waardevolle goed en hoeveel derduisende goed daar is nie!
Springbok baadjies van 1906 en vroeër, volledig getekende goed deur die 1906 Springbok span, All Blacks truie, Britse Leeus truie, Franse truie… petjies, scrum caps, tokse, balle, lepeltjies… you name it, en dis daar!
Dit wat versamel kon word, dis daar!
Ou oorspronklike fotos, honderde tekeninge, sketse, programme… dit sal ure der ure vat om regtig deur al die goed te werk!
Jy sal nog eendag in jou lewe die goed MOET sien, voor jy dooi.
15 @ superBul:
Ons is op SARU se lyste…. meeste van hulle.
Was lekker om ook self met Kevin de Klerk te gesels, hy het gesê ek moet hom mail oor ons site se besonderhede, hy wil ook kom loer wat ons sê en skrywe hier op R-T.
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