Inside the Mind of a Springbok Legend: Ollie Le Roux

[@daggaboom]

Wow he’s giving so much detail and insight to stories I’d read in the press (James small, games manship), that England game in twickenham (I still can’t stand England because of that loss). Absolutely brilliant interview!!

[@frontrowrugby]

Yeah he was a great guest. Not to mention what a brilliant player he was too. The less said about the Twickenham defeat the better. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the comment.

[@dougerrohmer]

I like that Ollie is more ready than most of the guys to give his opinion. Definitely bring him back again, I'd like to hear his opinion on John Smit because John did have some negative things to say about Ollie in the Natal side that they played together in. John was the new kid and Ollie was the old strydros.

[@frontrowrugby]

For sure! I try to keep the videos to around 25 minutes but as you can see Ollie and I spoke a little longer. No doubt we could have gone on for another 30 minutes in this case. Definitely gonna have to have Ollie back in the future.

[@dougerrohmer]

@@frontrowrugby Maybe just keep on nattering, and then edit it into 2 or 3 afterwards. It's absolutely rugby gold when the man is willing to speak his mind and not care.

[@davidpells4298]

Seemed to have quite a few " personality " clashes ..Great player tho....What a great interview. A real eye opener . Best of the lot .

[@71bootneck]

Someone who has opinions as often and vocal as this is bound to have clashes with others

[@Ash0010]

Cristian Stewart played centre in place of Franco in the last three tests of that '98 tour.

[@frontrowrugby]

You are quite right. It was a long time ago so we'll forgive Ollie's memory.

[@OurDigitalClassRoom]

A guy you’d love to buy a beer and share a story.

[@frontrowrugby]

Absolutely! The stories Ollie tells are incredible but also his gift for telling it in such an interesting and engaging manner. Not everyone can do that! Thanks again for the comment, Doc. Looks like you're enjoying the videos ... I'm so glad!

[@benvaneeden1076]

Ollie was a great player !!!

[@frontrowrugby]

He really was! This country of ours has been so blessed to produce so many wonderful rugby players.

[@willemkotze8616]

I remember Ollie's try against Scotland in the 1999 World Cup where he dummied and took the gap before diving over for a try, legend!

[@frontrowrugby]

A wonderful moment!

[@brucekendall52]

Such an insightful informative discussion.Thanks.

[@frontrowrugby]

I actually interviewed Ollie when I was on radio in 2006. I kept his number and thankfully it hadn't changed. I was delighted I could get him on. Superb guest!

[@francisplatt93]

This collection of Front Row Rugby interviews are really like chronicles to SA Rugby .

[@frontrowrugby]

Thank you for that great compliment. Very much appreciated. I'll continue growing this library for you!

[@sakabula2357]

Lol..Ollie must be the only Bok prop to have ever kicked a conversion...at least as far as I know..Pity Mallet didn't back Teichman all the way to the WC

[@frontrowrugby]

It remains an incredible story and moment in all of rugby! Who knows what might have happened had Mallett stuck with Teichmann?

[@garethm4800]

Best interview I've heard of them all.... The insights were so raw and I for one appreciate the honesty. As a fan, there is often rumours you hear but they remain under lock and key. Ollie has always worn his heart in his sleeve and was a real talent in everything he did. I was selected to play Freestate waterpolo with Ollie in March 1993 but the parabats wouldn't release me to play. I was selected again for Kramer week in Nov 93 and was allowed to play but Ollie had his breakout season in rugby so waterpolo was forgotten for him.... The teammate I didn't have, lol.

[@frontrowrugby]

Thanks for the comment, Gareth. I agree this was a great interview (of course I think they all are) but certainly this was one of the more candid conversations. I actually interviewed Ollie when I worked in radio in 2006. I kept his number and took a chance and wouldn't you just know it, he still had the same number and he remembered me too! Two hours later we recorded this interview! He really was a wonderful player and it just shows how skillful and talented he was as a sportsman that water polo was an option for him as well. Thanks for sharing that bit of information.

[@garethm4800]

@@frontrowrugby thanks for your heartfelt response. Agreed, all the interviews have been great and would love it if you can get the one and only Reich on the show and tell him he must match Ollie's honestly, lol. I'm not one that posts many comments but watch all the shows and appreciate hearing from all our guys. Cheers!

[@frontrowrugby]

Thank you for the kind words. My grand plan is to build a library of interviews with every Springbok since 1992 - sadly I can't have the likes of Joost and Chester and there are one or two who have have declined. By the way I think 95% of people don't comment but I can promise you I read them all and try to reply to them all too (except the ones that are extremely rude, aggressive etc). I'm sure a big corporate doesn't really care if you comment, but I can assure you as a small content creator it is extremely encouraging so again a big thank you!

[@duncanclews9424]

magic conversations these !!

[@frontrowrugby]

Whoo! Thanks Duncan. Excited to see which video you're going to watch next!

[@martintheunissen7847]

These really are interesting interviews, is there anything scheduled with Mark Andrews? What a legend he was

[@frontrowrugby]

Hi Martin. Thank you so much for the kind words. Really appreciate it. Nothing is scheduled in black and white at this stage but Mark, and his cousin Keith, are both on my list of targets for the first six months of 2023. I'll do my best for you!

[@seanpinkey8798]

I think it was Uruguay in Perth,October 2003

[@frontrowrugby]

That is correct! And the Boks won 72-6 that day.

[@olcock6007]

Nice interview.

[@frontrowrugby]

Thank you so much. So glad you enjoyed it!

[@stefandebruin8118]

I realy enjoy these interviews with the old Boks. If I can make a suggestion, how about interview some of the Springbok coaches of the time to hear their memories? Guys like Nic Mallet, Harry Viljoen ect.

[@frontrowrugby]

Hi Stefan. Thank you so much for the kind words. I really appreciate it and it's very encouraging. You'll be very happy to know that I managed to interview Ian McIntosh (I actually think it was the last interview he ever gave) and also John Williams (that video is coming later this month). I hope to get some of the others as well.

[@theunskoch7406]

You need to ask Olie about the 1.5kg steaks in Argentina. The best interview of all , he called a spade a spade, no beating around the bush.

[@frontrowrugby]

Yes, unfortunately we ran out of time in this interview (I try to keep them under 30 minutes as far as possible). That just means we'll have to have Ollie back for Part Two!

[@TheLesmarshall]

What a fabulous human being, one of our great players

[@frontrowrugby]

I agree. A wonderful player and a wonderful guest. As it turns out it is also his birthday today. Happy birthday, Ollie!

[@StuartMacadam]

Thanks for another great conversation. I like that Ollie speaks his mind and isn't afraid to ruffle feathers.

[@frontrowrugby]

So glad you enjoyed it. It's my pleasure and thank you for the support.

[@divdevilliers6234]

Most interesting. Ollie revealed a lot about the springbok couches in his time playing for South Africa.

[@frontrowrugby]

Thanks for the comment, Deo. Glad you enjoyed the video. And yes Ollie was a great guest. Some fascinating insights. I think I have to get him back for another round!

[@flinfaraday1821]

"Ollie" was my Boerboel Ridgeback cross that I named after this man.

[@frontrowrugby]

Love it!!

[@lm_b5080]

I hope you get to pull in the big fish Teichmann himself for one of these. The heart of our incredible Natal 90's team

[@frontrowrugby]

He is on my radar! It'll be my pleasure to get him on this channel for you.

[@paulmartin6892]

Great interview. My favourite prop of the 90s - ball handling skills beyond his years.

[@frontrowrugby]

So glad you enjoyed it, Paul. All the best and have a great new year!

[@gm.Observer]

Would still be good to hear where they are now, family, business, etc.

[@frontrowrugby]

Good point! I will try to get more of that in going forward. Not always possible because I try to keep the videos to around 25 minutes and the main aim is to talk about their Bok careers - you'll notice I don't really talk about Currie Cup etc either. But thank you again for the suggestion ;-)

[@Ash0010]

Interesting character old Ollie, I like how he refers to one player who replaced him but (during the 2003 season) whom he never rated as a Springbok. He he is probably right, however he being Ollie hardly ever played full matches, he was a replacement in 43 (!) of his 54 tests, a record that as only recently beaten by Steven Kitshoff. In addition yes, he got his timelines mixed up, Jake White followed up Rudolf Straeuli , not Harry Viljoen.

[@Ash0010]

Ollie excelled in his latter career as part of the Free State dynasty especially in the way he got under the 'Bulls skin during the 2005 CC final. It would also be interesting to hear about his days as squash and waterpolo player in his youth...

[@frontrowrugby]

Very interesting indeed. And I loved his honesty in the interview. You're right he hardly ever started, but as he explained in his interview it was largely about him being on the field in the second half at the end. I think we can confidently say Ollie and Bobby were two of the earliest impact players. And yes, Jake followed Straeuli, not Harry.

[@frontrowrugby]

It's incredible to think that he was so talented at squash and waterpolo when you consider his physique. What a man!

[@alberttruter6143]

Brilliant interview. Os Du Randt and Ollie Le Roux my favourite all time props.

[@frontrowrugby]

Thank you for the kind words, Albert. Really appreciate it and so happy you enjoyed it. Gotta get Os on the show at some point too I think!

[@TheDruzza]

Ja get os on!!!

[@frontrowrugby]

I will do my best. Got some really great ex-Boks lined up in the coming weeks too and in talks with a few others too. I'm sure you'll enjoy them all!

[@TheDruzza]

@@frontrowrugby amazing you are pulling these old legends together….mark andrews would be sweet too!

[@frontrowrugby]

@@TheDruzza Well then have I got news for you! Mark Andrews is coming up in the next month or so. His cousin Keith is also on the way.

[@andrewworrall4302]

you didnt have to ask many questions 😂

[@frontrowrugby]

Haha, no.

[@bbviljoen1153]

Uruguay

[@frontrowrugby]

You know your stuff!

[@francoiscoetzee1271]

@frontrowrugby thank you for doing these interviews, not only is it great to see some of the greatest rugby players of our country again but also hearing some of the things we always suspected. As a lover of the game of rugby and obviously the Springboks, there was a lot of guys that thought Bobby and the rest of the impact players should have stayed impact players, because it flippen worked. Interesting how quickly coaches loose the dressing room when they do not believe in their own plan and disrespect the players. Coaches should have a very high emotional intelligence. Still great interviews and always loved Ollie and now even more. He spoke with my son following their varsity cup match in Bloem this year and gave him a great compliment.

[@frontrowrugby]

Thanks for the comment Francois. Yes it just goes to show there are all kinds of things going on behind the scenes. No doubt for me Bobby would have come into the starting XV after that 99 World Cup but unfortunately that's not how it worked out. Lovely story about Ollie and your son!

[@at7512]

Loved the honesty of this interview

[@frontrowrugby]

Ollie was a great guest. Definitely gonna have to have him on again!

[@at7512]

@@frontrowrugby the more I think about it, ge would have been even better in the modern game with his mobility

[@seamus9750]

Saw him in Hyde Park in December 98...another real old school character from back in the day. He even took a memorable conversion 🤣. Such an honest reflection on everyone he played with.

[@frontrowrugby]

That's a great story! Always fun when you bump into the heroes and there's a little story that you can tell your friends for years to come!

[@larrymeyer2917]

And all you SA rugby fans can confirm what Ollie had to say. Plain facts. Loosing 99 RWC…. Mallett. Garbage rugby under worse coach ever, Struawli. Disgusting. Amateur coaches, Viljoen and Du Plessis. Took too many coaches to get to Jake White, like Rassie, these guys understand the game and PLAYERS. Let’s also remember Kitch, what a coach.

[@frontrowrugby]

Thanks for that Larry. You make some very good points. I assume you're not a Springbok supporter. Where are you from?

[@larrymeyer2917]

@@frontrowrugby I’m a Bok supporter alright. Living now in Canada but from Durban. Hope to be at the RWC this year to supports Boks. No doubt in my mind, the Bok players are right up there, they only deliver poor results when there is interference by SARU and they have a poor Coach, other than those distractions, the Boks are the equal of the All Blacks over time and those games are always a cliff hanger.

[@frontrowrugby]

@@larrymeyer2917 Good to know! I wasn't sure after the initial comment. It would be great if you could make it to the RWC this year. Sadly I'm not going to be there but hopefully in four years' time this channel will have taken off and I can be in Australia doing daily videos! And yes, Boks v ABs Tests are the best!!

[@larrymeyer2917]

@@frontrowrugby You guys have to put everything into 2024 Elections. Sorry to hear you too have to move on.

[@flinfaraday1821]

Not Kitch. Zero respect for him after what I just heard.

[@jldp24]

When is the Dean Hall episode running??

[@frontrowrugby]

Either 30 January or 6 February. Thank you for your patience ;-)