New Western Province Rugby Football Union president Kevin Kiewitz explained to Oddballs that he wasn’t taken seriously as a player despite a long career in club rugby. The lawyer said his teammates saw him more of an office-bearer. “I started at UWC (University of the Western Cape). I played with Paul Treu, John Booysen, Gary Boshoff and Irven October. But they never saw me as a rugby player. They see you more as an administrator than a rugby player and they give you more duties in rugby administration,” Kiewitz said. He conceded, however, his transition into administration was smooth.
Stop the X-rated stuff
Many Western Province and Stormers fans are hoping Kiewitz’s election will herald a fresh start for the union and franchise. Western Province has been in turmoil for the better part of the last decade and, though Kiewitz is desperate to put the past behind them, he knows one of his main tasks will be to pacify disaffected factions. He is not expecting a smooth ride. “There is still a bit of argy-bargy on social media but we must make sure we clean up our act. We must make sure social media regulations are in place and enforced,” he warned.
Jozi's memory lane
Johannesburg may have difficulty convincing anyone who pays their municipal bills that it still is a “world class African city”, but at least it’s sporting legacy is secure. One of the lesser known facts about Jozi is that it shares the rare distinction with London as the only cities to have hosted a Fifa World Cup final, a Rugby World Cup final and a Cricket World Cup final, and now fans and enthusiasts can reminisce and share memories on a day-long tour of FNB Stadium, Ellis Park and the Wanderers. Iconic Stadia Tours offers the 08.30am to 4.00pm journey down memory lane to tour companies, corporates and individuals who specialise in, and are interested in, sport and sports history. Potholes notwithstanding, the tour will likely have local hearts beating with pride.
Maphosa daydreaming
Vina Maphosa, the Kaizer Chiefs spokesperson, outdid himself on Thursday at the promotion of yesterday’s Soweto Derby against rivals Orlando Pirates. Having accepted that his team is no way near breaking their almost 10-year trophy league drought, Maphosa made a firm promise that Amakhosi will definitely win the Betway Premiership title next season. So amusing was Maphosa’s pronouncement that even a couple of Chiefs players couldn’t help get the giggles.
Go your way, Jose
Still on the Soweto Derby, departing Pirates coach Jose Riveiro cut a forlorn and uninterested figure at the same derby presser. Riveiro didn’t look forward to addressing the media a few hours after Pirates had suffered a shock 1-0 league defeat in Orlando on Wednesday against Sekhukhune United. After that match, the Spaniard admitted his team looked out of touch after conceding the goal. “We didn’t know what we were doing,” he said. With seven matches remaining for Pirates in all competitions, the sooner it all ends the better for Riveiro, who clearly cannot wait to head to the comfort of his home in Spain.
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