Book Review

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Coverting Rugby Talent into Business Success

by Shalane van Rensburg

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​From Locker Room to Boardroom investigates the transition from rugby jerseys to suit jackets of 30 prominent players in South Africa. So the book asks the imperative question: How do rugby players earn a living in the commercial world once they hang up their boots, and how do so many of them become so successful in business?

 

The book explores how some former South African players have managed to qualify in various disciplines and business models. Jan Pickard, François Pienaar, Kobus Wiese and Kevin de Klerk, to name but a few, share their stories and strategies of their personal business successes. Van Reenen explains how the current structures in South Africa make it very difficult for players to gain a post-school education or an alternative qualification, which is why they will have problems earning a steady income after they stop playing. “Apart from a very small minority who get involved in their particular sport as coaches, managers or support staff, and those golfers who keep their skills active for a lifetime, the majority will at one stage or another ‘cross the line’ into a completely new life and career,” writes Morné du Plessis, who contributed to the foreword.

 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The problem is not a secret. Very few players will be able to make a living after they stop playing. All the players showcased in the book exhibit personality traits of discipline, networking and passion. Some continued to play rugby whilst starting up their ‘retirement ventures’. Examples of successful ‘retirements’ after rugby include: Stransky’s move to Marketing Director for the Hertz Car Rental Group; Strauss who became involved in commercial enterprising and the exporting of South African wine to Australia; and Vos who became Branch Manager for Sanlam Private Investments. The author seems inspired by the many rugby players who have made an incredible success of their lives and careers, so much so that he has shared what many of us possibly wondered, but never thought to discover ourselves.

The book is a practical guide for any aspiring professional rugby player or any rugby fanatic for that matter.

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About the Author:
Ross van Reenen has been a business and management consultant for more than 25 years. He has an MBA and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2009 for his ground-breaking work on the career development of professional rugby players. He played in 62 Currie Cup matches for the Free State and was a  member of the winning Currie Cup team in 1976. He is currently Group Managing Director of the Thethani Group of Companies.