Kevin de Klerk calls it a day

LONGTIME president of Golden Lions Rugby Union Kevin de Klerk has retired from all forms of the code of sport.

De Klerk, who hails from Alberton, has decided after a historic 50 years at the helm of the Johannesburg franchise to not only hang up his boots but say farewell to the sport as president of the Lions.

He has served the sport for a historic 50 years and has been involved as president, and Springbok and Transvaal lock, chairperson and director of the Golden Lions Rugby Union, the Lions Rugby Company (Pty) Ltd, and Ellis Park Stadium (Pty) Ltd.

The revival of the Lions as a franchise in Super Rugby can be attributed to de Klerk which saw the union rise to a force to reckon with.

He commenced this lifetime career in rugby as a u-20 Transvaal player while only at the age of 17 from Hill High School in the South in 1968.

His career as a player spanned over 13 years, which included 107 matches for the then Transvaal, 13 tests for the Springboks and a Gazelle tour to Argentina. As president of the Lions, he has witnessed three Super Rugby finals, two Currie Cup titles, one Vodacom Cup title, three u-19 titles and one u-21 title.

De Klerk made his senior debut at Pretoria defence and played with the legendary Frik du Preez, Piston van Wyk, Kleintjie Grobler and Thys Lourens from the Blue Bulls.

In Johannesburg, he played for the formidable Diggers Rugby Club in the South which boasted no less than 14 players in the Transvaal squad. Some of his teammates included Springbok locks Klippies Kritzinger, Moaner van Heerden, Sakkie Sauerman, Dave Frederickson and Johan Strauss.

He was a member of a Diggers side, captained by Springbok captain and flank Piet Greyling when they set two world records in a club match against Alberton. He played his last few years at Alberton Rugby Club where he retired in 1984 and coached for four seasons.

The revival of the Lions can be attributed to de Klerk’s commitment and to see through the success of this Johannesburg outfit in Super Rugby, the accomplishment of Golden Lions Rugby Union and all it’s club structures. Together with his staff, the players display more than respect for their president. De Klerk has for the last 10 years taken time to ensure the union’s growth in many respects.

His success at the Lions has been hailed by many sport personalia such as Altman Allers (deputy president of the Golden Lions Rugby Union and chairperson of Lions Rugby Company and Ellis Park stadium), Rudolf Straeuli (group CEO of Lions Rugby) and Pieter Visser (general manager of Golden Lions Rugby Union).

“Thank you to all my fellow administrator staff, coaches and, very important, our wonderful players for the great privilege of being able to work with you over the past years. It has always been an honour for me to be part of the Lions Rugby and its culture. Participating as a player and administrator have given me equally great joy and pride. As I have stated before, there is no other sport or Union that bring people together in a unique culture of togetherness, friendship and support like the Lions do. Now, after a long and very enriching part of my life, I would say this journey will never be over for me. With this investment that we all have made into our Lions Rugby, one could never walk away. Although we will not be as present as before, we will always remain part of this Union’s great heritage going forward,” said de Klerk.

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