Rugby: The thing about Kamp Staaldraad...

Well-known rugby journalist Peter Stemmet chats to former Springbok captain Corné Krige in the third of our new series in conjunction with Front Row Rugby. They talk about Corne's career, that fateful day at Twickenham and what really went on at Kamp Staaldraad. Another fascinating look behind the scenes during a tumultuous period in Springbok history.
Watch this fascinating interview with a legend of the game!
You can visit Front Row Rugby here: @frontrowrugby
00:00 Welcome to Front Row Rugby!
00:13 Not many Springboks were born in Zambia!
01:08 You made your Springbok debut being captain as well!
02:37 Talk about the 28-0 loss against the All Blacks not much later
04:10 Any talk of you captaining the 1999 World Cup Boks?
05:08 Why did things go wrong for Nick Mallett?
06:37 Why did the Harry Viljoen experiment not work?
08:07 Why did you replace Bobby Skinstad as captain?
09:49 The 2002 season didn’t start off badly!
10:22 How much of a role did end-of-year fatigue play?
11:57 What happened on that day at Twickenham?
13:30 The loss against the All Blacks in 2003
14:33 What can you tell us about Kamp Staaldraad?
17:35 Did the players ever lose faith in Rudolf Straueli?
19:08 Things are run very differently now!
19:56 Do you have any regrets looking back?
21:18 When did you retire from international rugby?
22:41 What is your opinion about Jake White’s Springbok philosophy?
25:11 Who was the toughest opponent you ever played against?
27:30 Please share a memorable moment from your time with the Boks
29:26 A funny moment from 1998
31:33 Thank you for taking the time to chat to us!
Rugby: The thing about Kamp Staaldraad... #frontrowrugby

[@m.t.1187]

Love this show! Corne Krige was a brilliant player, but played during a difficult era for Springbok rugby.

[@WarrenFelix]

🇿🇦My favourite player from WP!💙🫡Great content as always Pete. 🔥🫡

[@Wolf-hh4rv]

Loved Corne’s tackling 💪💪❤️

[@megafoonsport]

The Hitman!

[@bradleyeaton228]

Loving these interviews and reminiscing about a bygone era…keep up the great work!

[@megafoonsport]

Thank you

[@rudivanaarde8952]

Thanks guys

[@mariusolivier7439]

The "Staaldraad" camp was not a "military" type intervention as per se ! It was very successfully incorporated by the Blue Bulls in their successful Super Rugby campaign at the time ...hence I guess why it was introduced to the Springbok setup !!

[@megafoonsport]

Not sure about that. I know a few Bulls from that era, I will hear what they have to say about that 👍

[@hermankern3939]

The reason why Straueli is a despicable character in my book.

[@denverwhittal9637]

Corne , THE HITMAN!!!!

[@megafoonsport]

Indeed!

[@TheCryptoSniper]

Heinrich Brussouw best flanker to be ignored...

[@michaelbowes9894]

Staaldrad was the low point in Springbok rugby. They gained a reputation for thuggery that took many years to live down. Even today, referees are quicker to close down the Springboks in tough situations than other sides.

[@71bootneck]

Well it def showed up rugby more than it did the training camp. That although it’s a contact sport and players are assumed to be tough men. They’re actually athletes and notjing more. Staldraad was standard. Not even special forces selection. And it was blown way of proportion. So the supposed toughest team in test rugby comes out about how inhumane it was is good indication of how tough it is in military training. At end of the day it’s group of boys chasing a ball around ???

[@coatknight]

What is evident is that Corne wasn't a great leader. Within the right environment maybe he could have been but it seems the structures, surroundings and culture at that time were terrible.

[@megafoonsport]

I think he was a good leader, but maybe not allowed to thrive as he could have at the time?

[@victorswart7411]

Dit was n normale army training session ons weet wie dit nie kon vat nie. Ons weermag manne het nie n issue hehad nie, net die sisdies en dissipline loos ander. Shame