Michael Claassens: An electric blindside operator...
You were brought up in Kroonstad? What are your memories of home?“It was my home until heading to Bloemfontein to study accounting at university. I got my degree but I’m not sure if i’d have liked to take it on as a career, because I wouldn’t want to sit behind desk from nine-to-five. I need the freedom of a rugby field.”
Did you have a job as a teenager?“I’d do little jobs for holiday pocket money but after school I was straight into study time and playing rugby, so I didn’t have enough time for a part-time job.
“Rugby was my homework. My dad was really into rugby and we’d watch all of the games on the TV. I was the youngest of three brothers and we were all really competitive.”
Was there a lot of back-yard scraps?“We would be in the back garden kicking the rugby ball around at weekends and I was the youngest so when it came to tackling, I would get a lot of stick and I missed a lot. When I would run at them, they would smash me, so I had it a bit tough but it was a good grounding.”
What are your earliest memories of schoolboy rugby?“Every boy grows up playing rugby in South Africa. It’s the only schoolboy culture. It’s a bit like football in England with kids dreaming about the Springbok jersey.
“It’s a bit like wearing your school 1st XV shirt. Wearing the jersey gave me such pride and you were a treated like a champion at school.”
Who have been your biggest influences?“My father always gave me good advice and support but my wife, who I have been with for nine years, has definitely been the greatest influence on my career.
“Quality time with the wife is really important but I do go out for a drink with the boys, play a bit of golf on our days off, go to a movie or our for a nice meal. It keeps me relaxed.”
Are you much of a chef?“I’m not the best cook but in South Africa, I ate a lot of red meat, like steak or lamb chops. In one sitting i’ve probably eaten about 600 grams. Not bad going.”
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