Archive for July, 2022

Nothing better than a great comeback story: Rilee Rossouw bounces back from KOLPAK fiasco

Posted on: July 29th, 2022 by Rob Opie No Comments

KOLPAK DEFINITION: The Kolpak ruling is a European Court of Justice ruling handed down on 8 May 2003 in favor of Maroš Kolpak, a Slovak handball player. A Kolpak player, or Kolpak, was a term used in the United Kingdom for people from overseas playing in the domestic leagues in cricket & rugby and who were subject to the Kolpak ruling. However, the system no longer applies in the UK, following its exit from the European Union.

 

The CRICKET WORLD CUP 2015 was a very difficult one for many protea players. SA CRICKET WAS IN A TOTAL MESS > and then there were KOLPAK INTERNATIONAL rules to now consider in ENGLAND…   Kyle Abbott, who was the outright form bowler, had just been dropped on the eve of a semi final for quota reasons. Captain AB de Villiers had been overruled with selection and did now know where to turn – family or playing winning cricket with the best possible team.

Rilee Rossouw had also just come off his 122 innings at Newlands to win a Man of the Series award vs. Australia.

Tough  calls  to be made by all at  this juncture in their  exciting careers

No wonder  SA  lost the 2015  semi- final to  New  Zealand .A circus if ever there  was one. GREAT TEAM WITH INTERFRENCE FROM THE BOARD .

Both  Abottt & Rossouw eventually opted for  greener  England  Kolpak contracts

Two great cricketers lost to the proteas- with others to follow.

Now Rilee is back and in superb form with 96*   from 55 balls last on Thursday.

I cannot wait to see what happens Sunday in the T 20 decider.

A CLASS ACT

Let’s hope he is here to stay for T20 WORLD CUP

Go Great

ROB

…………………………….

NOW LAUNCHED in 2022

It is inherent to the human condition that we bond

Rob’s interactive, insightful and inspiring BREAKFAST TALK : “Champions do More”– at your offices to get your TEAM back together and powered up for a great 2022. Contact Rob direct to find out more.

Email to : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

If you would like a complimentary copy of any of my published eBooks – please CLICK HERE to read more and request your FREE copy.

Email to : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

Read more : www.thegameplan.co.za


 

 

 

Bok hard man Eben’s ton up and transition within the team. Welgedaan Eben.

Posted on: July 18th, 2022 by Rob Opie No Comments

The first time the rugby fraternity heard the name Etzebeth was actually way back with a guy called Cliffie Etzebeth – he was Eben’s uncle and a real hard man in WP rugby. (Playing for Western Province, Villagers, Police & Goodwood)

He was also a renowned wrestler.

Eben probably learnt early that you cannot win a rugby match without an   ‘ENFORCER “  in your pack – or was told so by Uncle  Cliffie  –  so he positioned himself  well for his career and entry onto the world stage  at age twenty : “THE ENFORCER “

Who can remember when in the RWC 2019 final we saw the Boks take the field with four enforcers in their starting lineup – little wonder why we won.

It becomes tough for opposition when they are up against a physical specimen/s for eighty minutes.

Eben’s early and mid career were characterized by nervous  coaches wanting to know  what he would do next , but after a few off  the field real life wake up calls , it all changed. Eben developed an all round game plan , a new persona , AND yet never failing in his primary role as the #1 ENFORCER.

His off the field skills developed immensely as he helps many fellow players develop and grab their opportunities – and also the fans who love it even more when he becomes real physical.

After 100 games in the green and gold, the press and commentators are spot on when they say he has transitioned to become one of the team’s elder statesman.

A true accolade to a truly great player, great guy.

A   human rarity – a special physical specimen of note.

A supreme athlete of note.

A human of note. 

Welgedaan 100!

Halala Eben – and a warm welcome to Durbs !  

 

Go Great

ROB

…………………………….

NOW LAUNCHED in 2022

It is inherent to the human condition that we bond

Rob’s interactive, insightful and inspiring BREAKFAST TALK : “Champions do More”– at your offices to get your TEAM back together and powered up for a great 2022. Contact Rob direct to find out more.

Email to : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

If you would like a complimentary copy of any of my published eBooks – please CLICK HERE to read more and request your FREE copy.

Email to : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

Read more : www.thegameplan.co.za


 

Can late bloomer Rassie be compared with his predecessor – the great Hashim Amla?

Posted on: July 22nd, 2022 by Rob Opie No Comments

Let’s  take a closer look.

In 2013 Hashim Amla  was ranked  #1  Test  batsman  in the world – no small  feat for a  man  who had been  heavily critised in his early 2004 career for not having the right technique – a moving head against the the quicks and a  non – conventional  back lift .

Hashim listened and removed all weaknesses in his own technique and game plan – and went on to become one cricket’s true batting greats with the following statistics:

Played 124 tests @ an average of 47 :

Played 151 ODI’s @ an average  of 49:

Played 44 T20’s  @ an average of 34

Even Barry Richards doubted him in the early days, but even Barry had to eat his words – as those are massively impressive stats.

Let’s now take a look at what Rasssie has done to date “

Played 15 tests @ an average of 33:

Played 36 ODI’s @ an average of 75   (highest ever for any player):

Played 39 T20’ @ an average of 38

It’s clear that 33 year old  Rassie’s career, has a long way to run to match Hashim’s supreme test consistency and  century  conversion rate.

Rassie has superb short game statistics – his fitness playing an important role, but lags Hashim in the test arena by  a large  margin.

BUT, what he has in his arsenal is his incredible fitness and physical preparation, which will allow him to play some long test, knocks –   like Hashim did to boost his test average after it was also far lower at the start of his test career.

BUT, the decisive difference is Hashim’s 28  hundreds in test cricket. WOW.

Rassie is yet to reach the three figure mark in test matches.

We will simply have to wait and see just what Rassie is capable of?

However good he is, and however well he spearheads the Proteas batting, he is just too far behind Hashim  in his test career to justify any comparisons at this juncture

Much yet to prove in test cricket for a very classy Rassie Van der Dussen.

Go Great

ROB

…………………………….

NOW LAUNCHED in 2022

It is inherent to the human condition that we bond

Rob’s interactive, insightful and inspiring BREAKFAST TALK : “Champions do More”– at your offices to get your TEAM back together and powered up for a great 2022. Contact Rob direct to find out more.

Email to : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

If you would like a complimentary copy of any of my published eBooks – please CLICK HERE to read more and request your FREE copy.

Email to : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

Read more : www.thegameplan.co.za


Goodbye Covid 19. A  Covid song for YOU and a nostalgic look back at LEVEL FIVE lockdown

Posted on: July 5th, 2022 by Rob Opie No Comments

During Level FIVE lockdown few of us ever imagined that this pandemic would last more than a few months, and then life would go on.

A big mistake in our thinking.

A buddie from the local Durban music scene, a plumstead boetman and I decided during LEVEL FIVE  to do something different and team to up write  and  record a song :  “ Goodbye  COVID  19 “- in a makeshift garage studio. Thanks must go to Elton John for the inspiration he gives so much of.

I suppose we were just trying to wish the pandemic “GOODBYE” – help put an end to it in an inspired collective human way!  

You can take a listen by clicking here below on MP3  –  noting  that at this point in Level Five nobody except essential services were allowed  out – so we thought our ‘ garage ‘ effort was pretty good avoiding the  cop cars in an industry that was  deemed far from essential – namely entertainment.

Have a listen and let me know what you think of ‘the garage boys’ – two years post level five in 2020 – a very long time coming………………..

The song’s words remain true today………..

GoodBye Covid-19 MP3

Go Great

ROB

…………………………….

NOW LAUNCHED in 2022

It is inherent to the human condition that we bond

Rob’s interactive, insightful and inspiring BREAKFAST TALK : “Champions do More”– at your offices to get your TEAM back together and powered up for a great 2022. Contact Rob direct to find out more.

Email to : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

If you would like a complimentary copy of any of my published eBooks – please CLICK HERE to read more and request your FREE copy.

Email to : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

Read more : www.thegameplan.co.za


Sunny skies are back for South Africa’s Sport and Entertainment business sectors.

Posted on: July 2nd, 2022 by Rob Opie No Comments

Sport is all powerful in how it facilitates human interaction.

What a  special treat  it was to see  Loftus  Versveld  packed to the  rafters –  as  was the classic weather at a packed out Hollywoodbets  Durban  July.

The Springboks faced Wales at Loftus Versveld in front of 52 000 fans on Saturday as the “sold out” signs went up at the ground as early as Tuesday afternoon.

Sunny skies are indeed back for businesses that were ravaged by unrelenting and severe government imposed Covid restrictions.

The pandemic hit sport hard in many ways and denied an industry from filling seats – or supporting depleted coffers.

‘Playing behind closed doors’ has gone now.

There was an  overwhelming  measure of  comfort this  past week as the  government did  away with its  50 % stadium capacity ruling which had  been in place – and removing the need for mandatory masks.

And it was not only the people directly involved in rugby who smiled brightly – so did the small independent businesses who feed off the bigger games.

Suddenly things turned viable once again.

Let’s take a quick look at three clear positives – you can bet that there are many more.

Ps, Please do share your thoughts by dropping me a line : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

The “BOEREWORS SHOW“ must go on and on.

Full stadiums inspire hope for all South Africans .

What a great weekend of back to normality.

Masks off, smiles on.

Go Great

ROB

…………………………….

NOW LAUNCHED in 2022

It is inherent to the human condition that we bond

Rob’s interactive, insightful and inspiring BREAKFAST TALK : “Champions do More”– at your offices to get your TEAM back together and powered up for a great 2022. Contact Rob direct to find out more.

Email to : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

If you would like a complimentary copy of any of my published eBooks – please CLICK HERE to read more and request your FREE copy.

Email to : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

Read more : www.thegameplan.co.za