Rugby Commentator. Rugby Europe & All-Ireland League. Dad & Husband living in Ireland. I hail from Cape Town, South Africa. Ex SuperSport Schools Commentator.
My TV commentary debut.
Toulon v Cheetahs on the World Feed.
Parrise, Biggar, Pienaar, Mahoje, Wainiqolo, Nayacalevu, Gigashvili, Sekekete, West, Isa, Bastareaud et al.
Rugby Heaven for me. I will never forget this day!
Springbok RWC2023 squad by School paints more than a billion words.
1. Kitshoff - Paul Roos
2. Mbonambi - St Albanโs College
3. Malherbe - Paarl Boysโ
4. Etzebeth - Hoรซrskool Tygerberg
5. Mostert - Brits High School
6. Kolisi (c) - Grey High School
All I wanted to be was an international rugby commentator.
May 2016:
I started building a commentary portfolio at home by commentating live games on tv by recording my voice.
19 March 2023:
I commentated the final of the 2023 Rugby Europe Championship between Georgia &
South Africa v Ireland.
Donโt think Iโve ever been so consumed by a game ever.
Still recovering & felt like I was playing.
On a side note:
If Ireland beat Scotland & go on to win the RWC, that would be 20 consecutive wins.
Would beat NZ & England records, but not Cyprus of
Commentating my 1st Test Match tomorrow.
Netherlands v Canada
I have been working towards this since 2016 and I have prepared for every single match I have called as if itโs a Test Match.
Dreamed of this day since I started watching rugby.
Dreams do come true.
Moving to Ireland for a day job in 2019 was a risk to my commentary career which was flourishing in South Africa
1st 2 years in Ireland were mentally tough. I was missing out on many opportunities in SA
But I kept believing
2022 has been the most rewarding year of my life ๐๐๏ธ
Any rugby supporter based in Ireland who is not following the AIL is really missing out.
Big time.
All 20 rounds have been breathtaking and filled with drama.
And itโs premium quality.
The AIL deserves to be on TV.
AIL=Best League.
P.S - this comes from a South African
If Ireland win their next 3 games - Ireland win the RWC & will be the 1st tier 1 nation to win 20 consecutive tests.
If Ireland succeed and then back this up with a Grand Slam in 2024 they would have won 25 consecutive tests.
Which would be the most consecutive wins by a test
In July 2021
Doctors said he had a 1% chance of survival & was in a coma for 28 days
In 2022 he has won:
- Rugby Europe Championship
- Rugby Europe Super Cup x 2
- Defeated Italy & Wales - Georgiaโs 1st ever wins over tier 1 nations.
My coach of 2022 is
Levan Maisashvili ๐ฌ๐ช
My EPCR Challenge Cup commentary debut tomorrow on the world feed.
Toulon v Cheetahs
A few years ago, if you told me I would be doing this tomorrow - I wouldnโt have believed you.
But I was dreaming and working towards something exactly like this. With the belief that some
Canan Moodie
4 years ago, I commentated on the then 16-year-old Canan Moodie playing 12 for Boland Landbouโs 1st team.
4 years later, he would start at 13 for the Springboks in the All Blacks heaviest ever defeat.
Astonishing.
I am South African,
But one of my dreams is to one day commentate on an AIL final.
That tells you everything you need to know about how special the AIL is.
Exactly 3 years ago, I visited the Aviva for the 1st time & made a promise to myself that I would one day commentate a test there.
It might take another 5 years, it might take 10. But thatโs fine.
This is my Everest & I wonโt rest until I reach the summit.
Whatโs your Everest?
City of Armagh - a legendary tale.
In 2011 won promotion back to senior status.
12 years later - promoted to 1A.
Documentary stuff ๐บ
There must be so many fascinating stories about the journey of City of Armagh.
Congrats City of Armagh. Inspirational!
Felix Jones folks
Felix Jones!
South Africa were beyond lucky to have him.
Fascinating insight in Chasing the Sun 2 on what he brought to the Boks.
One of St. Andrewโs Collegeโs, Seapoint RFCโs and Old Belvedereโs finest ๐ฎ๐ช
#ChasingTheSun2
When I started this journey in 2016 in South Africa - I hoped one day by some miracle I would be commentating on international rugby this time of the year.
Today it happened for me in the Rugby Europe Championship.
You can do anything you set your mind to.
Proud day for me.
The night before a commentary, I run through all players from the sides until I fall asleep
Fri night, I almost fell asleep - but my wife got the cue
Our beautiful baby daughter was born midday on Saturday in Dublin ๐ฎ๐ช
Mom & Mila are in fine form
Proudest day of our lives โค๏ธ
This should be on TV
Terenure v Young Munster
14:30 Lakelands on Saturday
- Massive game in the context of 1A
- Terenure only loss of the season so far came v the Cookies in the last round
- Cookies have won 4 in a row
Itโs also a Bateman Cup Semi Final ๐ณ
Spine-tingling
AIL final was a glorious occasion.
A fitting end to a memorable season, after a difficult 3 years. The games had a real sense of purpose this season.
Excited to see where the AIL goes from here.
It can become a colossus.
Get the AIL on the ๐บ
Almost couldnโt believe this result.
Clontarfโs winning run of 20 games came to an end on Saturday.
Young Munster were 16-3 down at one stage and scored 21 unanswered points.
Final score:
Young Munster 24 - 19 Clontarf
#EnergiaAIL
Young Munster with an Iconic win.
966 watching - great to see
@IrishRugby
&
@theclubscenepod
putting this together. Awesome production.
This is why I think live streaming can do wonders for the AIL.
Glorious.
My 50th commentary in Ireland will be Trinity v Terenure on Saturday at College Park.
The AIL, the clubs and all of you have kept my dream alive.
Hereโs to the next 2 500 games.
Back in 2017
Bok winger Raymond Rhule got plenty of ugly abuse from Bok fans saying that he wasnโt up to standard.
Now he has won the Champions Cup back to back.
Definitely proved many wrong.
Top class player.
A year ago I tweeted
โLive streaming is the best way to promote the club game & give it the exposure it deservesโ
Yesterday there was at least 6 live streams
Terenure Cookies
UCD Hinch
Belvo UCC
Buccs Naas
Highfield Maryโs
Welsey Banbridge
So pleasing. Phenomenal for the AIL
The most important notes I have ever written in my career so far.
2023 Rugby Europe Championship
Championship Final: Georgia v Portugal.
Preparation, Pronunciation, Identification
Live streaming the club game allows anyone anywhere to watch it for free. It is the best way to promote the club game and give it the exposure it deserves. Here are some of the epic tries so far
#EnergiaAIL
This is why the AIL must be on the Telly:
A week ago, Old Belvedereโs chances to qualify for the 1A promotion play-offs, looked almost doomed when they lost 28-3 at Ollie Campbell Park to Garryowen. They looked down and out.
Coming into the final round of 1B to keep their 1A
I had to wait 2190 days & commentate on over 150 games to make my TV commentary debut.
1 April 2017:
My 1st live stream commentary. U16 rugby in South Africa. Boland Landbou v Affies.
1 April 2023:
My TV commentary debut. Toulon v Cheetahs. On the world feed.
For every
Thrilled to be commentating on the 1st Leinster Schools Senior Cup game for 2023.
St Michaelโs v Belvedere on Sunday
My commentary career began with school boy rugby in South Africa where I commentated on around 100 games over 3 seasons.
Thereโs nothing like school rugby.
A South African broadcasting advisor once suggested I adopt an Irish accent & tone down my accent to get in
In 2022, I have commentated on
- 2 test matches
- Leinster & Leinster Schools
- The world feed for Rugby Europe
Advice may be wrong
Sometimes you need to back yourself
The AIL is not the URC or the 6 Nations - but I treat every match I commentate on as a test match that is being broadcasted on TV on the World Feed.
Excited to commentate on the next block of AIL games:
- Old Belvedere v UCC
- Trinity v Terenure
- Old Belvedere v City of Armagh
Terenure: last 10 seasons
From 2A to 1A champions.
Inspiring.
2022/2023: 1A champions
2021/2022: 2nd on 1A table
2020/2021: Covid
2019/2020: 7th on 1A table
2018/2019: 8th on 1A table
2017/2018: 2nd on 1A table
2016/2017: 8th on 1A table
2015/2016: 8th on 1A table
1B = Best League
Banbridge 43-15 Buccaneers
Surely has to be the result of the AIL this season so far.
9th place beats 1st place
By 28 points
Crazy but beautiful
For those of you who didnโt know - I started rugby commentary back in South Africa. I was involved in about 100 school games.
Unexpectedly, life brought me to Ireland, but Iโm determined to reach my goals I set at the beginning of this journey.
@ss_schools
Excited to be commentating on another test match this weekend.
Georgia v Germany in the Rugby Europe Championship on Sunday.
I really have to pinch myself that this is happening.
Iโve only been in Ireland since 2019 but
Surely that has to be one of the greatest AIL performances of all time.
CON win the AIL, playing with at least 14 men for 65 minutes against TERENURE
Con also had 2 yellows.
Heroic just heroic
Final score: Terenure 22-33 Cork Con
I knew it was going to take endless persistence to get my 1st commentary in Ireland.
I didnโt know when it was going to come. But 3 years ago I made my commentary debut in Ireland.
Junior Cup Final:
Kilfeacle v Dromore
And now 3 years later Iโm preparing for commentary no 51
Epic that the IRFU are streaming the AIL 1A Semi-Finals.
I have been hoping for this type of thing since I started commentating in Ireland & this season we have seen plenty of streaming across the entire AIL.
So itโs great to see!
The semis are wide open in my opinion, with
Best front row on the planet. The fact that they have Moss to come off the bench is terrifying. On a serious note, I couldnโt imagine the AIL without these gents and Moss. These lads were immense. Iconic day for the AIL.
Thanks for following my commentary journey so far.
The AIL coaches & management,club members,players,supporters that I have interacted with have been amazing. Their love for the club game is unmatched.
I have immensely enjoyed commentating on this special league so far.
1A Final 2022 attendance - 5,788
1A Final 2023 attendance - 8,642
I reckon 15,000 is possible in a few years.
Highly likely we will see 10, 000 in 2024.
Absolute scenes in the 1B semi-finals as both visiting sides defeat their hosts.
Old Wesley 36-37 Naas
Highfield 19-25 Shannon
Who would have expected that
Astonishing scenes in the AIL
St Maryโs are a 1A club again
With 4 Rounds to play in 1B which is such a challenging league!
An incredible feat and they have been near on perfect this season.
Congrats to everyone at St Maryโs
Pre-pandemic.
In 1A:
Clontarf were 6th
Terenure were 7th
These 2 clubs have done everything right on and off the pitch this season.
Todayโs final is a celebration of the AIL.
Terenure - are a cut above the rest.
- 7 games: 7 bonus point wins
- 7 points clear at the top of the table
- Points for: 281 against 102
- ave score: 40 v 15
Different class
These games should really be streamed.
It would be great to see all the promising talent coming through and also allow so many to feel connected to this age group.
Highlight of my commentary career so far:
Georgia v Portugal in the final of the 2023 Rugby Europe Championship last Sunday. An incredibly proud moment for me.
Upon leaving South Africa in 2019. I was told that I may need to adopt a โdifferentโ accent to get a break & thank
My notes & I took an absolute hammering last night at College Park.
But goodness me what a rivalry, what a game, what an atmosphere.
Absolute Magic.
Trinity 34 27 UCD
Live streaming has given the club game an incredible boost this season. I have loved being involved in 1A+1B the entire season. I have been fascinated since Rd1 and have enjoyed researching the AIL as much as possible. Here are some tries from 1A+1B from Rd10 to 18
#EnergiaAIL
Imagine we had all these AIL finals over Saturday & Sunday at the Aviva Stadium.
Saturday:
- 2C Promotion/Relegation Final:
Midleton v Richmond
-2B Promotion/Relegation Final:
Skerries v Bruff
- 2A Promotion/Relegation Final:
UL Bohemian v Dungannon
Sunday:
- 1B
The AIL is just incredible. It really is.
Highfield lost to Banbridge last week.
Yesterday - Banbridge at home, lost to MU Barnhall who were 4th in 2A. Banbridge will now play in 2A next season.
Yesterday - Highfield beat Old Belvedere away from home, which was Belvoโs only
Have watched this try over and over again. Canโt get enough of it.
Conall Boomer celebrating with his fans makes you want to be part of the beautiful club game.
2 years ago - Kilfeacle beat Dromore 28-24 to win the All-Ireland Junior Cup at Coolmine Rugby Club.
It was my first commentary in Ireland.
An amazing atmosphere. It had a test match feeling about it with some unforgettable tries.
Lakelands is a fortress
Terenure have won the last 12 consecutive games at home in the AIL.
The last team to beat them at home was Clontarf on 30 Oct 2022. 29-14.
If Young Munster do the double on them with a victory at Lakelands it would be quite something.
A must-watch ๐ฌ
Excited to resume AIL commentary duties this weekend. Been off for 2 months due to the birth of my daughter and Rugby Europe. First up it is:
Old Belvedere v UCC
Ballynahinch ๐ฆ
Last season won 2/18 games and were almost relegated.
Yesterday they beat Terenure, who were 1st on the Table going into this fixture.
Hinch now sit 5th on the table. 2 points behind 4th place.
Hinch are no longer dreaming of 4th place. They can do it.
Buccaneers in 2A last season, won 10/18 of their league games.
After 6 rounds in 1B, they are top of the table. They have already won 5 games and itโs not even Xmas.
Beaten: Wesley, Highfield, Belvo, Malone, UCC
Some titans in there.
Astonishing.
#EnergiaAIL
Terenure have won 10 games in a row.
They play top of the table Clontarf at Castle Avenue on Saturday. Clontarf have won 9 in a row.
It has all the ingredients to be an absolute thriller.
#EnergiaAIL
Shannon will cause many teams problems in 1A next season.
Managed the season well and were super impressive in the 2nd half of the season.
Their social media work is also top notch!
@PrismDigital_ie
@Shannon_RFC
Feels like a World Cup ๐
Thatโs how good the AIL is.
On Saturday:
AIL 1A Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Semi-Final:
Shannon (1A) v Old Wesley (1B)
Old Belvedere (1B) v Highfield (1B)
Get it on telly, son ๐บ