Baywatch remembers

2020-04-30

We had a catch-up with Cobus ‘Baywatch’ Grobbelaar on his days in lockdown with his family and reminiscing about his playing days.

The former Lions captain and flanker is now entrenched in the corporate world while living on a small holding with his wife Karin and three children. Grobbelaar retired from rugby at the age of 31 in 2012 after 113 games for the Golden Lions from 2003 to 2012 and 94 Super Rugby matches for the Cats and Lions from 2004 to 2012.

The likeable open-side flank, who never represented any other rugby province in South Africa since his debut for the Golden Lions Under-21’s in 2002, was a born leader. The former Jan Viljoen High School player took over the Lions captaincy in 2007.

He was a player who led by example and one of the outstanding ‘fetchers' in the country at the time and undoubtedly came close to selection for the national side.

A serious injury put paid to Grobbelaar's rugby in 2010 when he was out of action for more than eight months – but he was part of the resurgence of the Lions, winning the coveted Cup in 2011 and being on the field as a replacement when the final hooter went after the 42-16 walloping of the Sharks in the final.

In a recent survey on the Lions social media pages Grobbelaar was voted as one of the most favourite Transvaal and Lions players ever.

He burst onto the senior scene in 2003 when he played Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup rugby for the Golden Lions. In 2004 his game had matured enough and he gave his first steps in Super Rugby, playing for the Cats - a combined team of the Lions and Cheetahs. He played well enough in that year’s Super 12 campaign to be included in the SA ‘A’ side for the outgoing tour to America.

 While the semi-final in 2011 between the Lions and Western Province at Ellis Park was a benefit match for Grobbelaar and a send-off as he was to retire at the end of the season, it proved to be the dress rehearsal for a bigger finale as the Lions went on to win the Currie Cup. 

This became the highlight of his career.

What have you been up to since retiring from the game?

Since retiring from playing rugby we exchanged the city life for a more relaxed life on a small holding. We added another family member in 2013 and I started to enjoy the corporate 8-5 world.

You played over a 100 games for the Lions from 2003 to 2012. What are your fondest memories of those days?

Making my debut for the Lions in 2003 was a very exciting day! Sharing that experience with fellow debutants and some of the greats of Lions rugby is a fond memory. Winning the 2011 Currie Cup resulted in some great memories about the build-up and on the day. Blended together with fellow team mates that share the same vision, it was very enjoyable.

Tell us a bit about your family?

My wife is Karin and we have three children. Karin is the best mom ever, we started with home-schooling at the end of last year and she is doing a fantastic job.

Dian (10) loves the outdoors, fishing and mountain biking. He wants to be an explorer one day.

Lené (8) loves to draw, and she enjoys playing board or card games with us. Jani (7) is the  best babysitter ever. She loves playing with dolls and loves animals.

We are in lockdown now. What are you and your family doing to keep busy?

The children are still continuing with their home-schooling, while we enjoy taking care of our vegetable garden and the small amount of animal we have. We love to do fun stuff outside. Dian and me took the task of building some mountain bike obstacles, which was good fun.

Who was your toughest opponent in your heyday?

Locally in South Africa, we have some of the best loose forwards in world rugby. No exception in my playing days. When you face the Sharks’ Jacques Botes he was always going to give 110% and a well-balanced player. Up against the Cheetahs, Hendro Scholtz and Heinrich Brussow were tough on turnovers, you couldn’t give them an inch. Western Province had Schalk Burger, hard as nails.

What do you think of the modern game compared to the time you played?

It is faster, the players look more mobile, and I think the ball is more in play, which results in more action.

Who have you kept in touch with from your former team mates?

Technology helps to keep in touch with former team mates like Willem Stolz, Roland Bernard, Ethienne Reynecke, Deon van Rensburg, Wikus van Heerden.

Do people still call you Baywatch? (Check out the audio on our social media pages to hear what Cobus says)