THEY breed them tough on the sport fields in Uitenhage, that we all know by now.
Two tough, but also very likeable, sons of Uitenhage have recently made headlines in the sporting world. There might be an age difference of 31 years between them but there are also many similarities that make them excel in their respective sports.
Anrich Nortje (27) and Christo van Rensburg (58) are amongst the most determined and motivated sportsmen you can get … and also truly nice guys.
Both are former learners at Hoërskool Brandwag and there is no doubt these two names are the topic of many extended tea breaks in the staff room.
Nortje produced an absolutely brilliant bowling performance for the South African cricket side last week in the second test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
For a fast bowler like Nortje, it is not easy to take test wickets in conditions that clearly don’t suit his bowling. These are the times that you must dig deep to survive in the unforgiving international sport arena.
Nortje did not only survive but he showed that he is a factor at the highest level of his sport with a courageous and skilful effort, taking five wickets. It is always a plus if you can bowl really fast like Nortje, but it doesn’t guarantee you success. That is precisely why Nortje’s performance was such a delight to witness.
In only his 10 th test he showed the maturity of a veteran. He was prepared to adjust and did that with the discipline and fighting spirit that you want to see from all South Africans at this level.
It is not Nortje’s fault that he has only played 10 tests till now. I always thought the decision makers at the Warriors were on the slow side to make Nortje a regular in the starting line-up.
Once that happened there was no stopping him. We can look forward to many more great fast bowling displays from Nortje, especially on the fast and bouncy Highveld pitches.
In a professional tennis career from 1983 to 1997 Van Rensburg enjoyed many successes. He beat some of the game’s legends like Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras. At one stage he was ranked in the top 20 in the world but it was in doubles that he really made his mark on the international scene.
He combined with Paul Annacone to become the top doubles pair for many years in worldtennis.
Now Van Rensburg is more excited than ever about his tennis career. His recent appointment as the captain of the South African Davis Cup team is the reason for this.
These days Van Rensburg lives in Austin, Texas, but he has never lost his love for South Africa, and of course for tennis.
South Africa would have been in action in the Davis Cup next month but owing to COVID-19 this will happen (hopefully) only in September now.
If the members of the South African team bring only half of Van Rensburg’s commitment and enthusiasm to the tennis court, there is no doubt that we will be very competitive.
