Hard work paid off for former Springbok Bands
Isn’t surprising that former Springbok tighthead Richard Bands is remembered mainly for one bullocking run for the Springboks in Dunedin in 2003.
The try that carries his name came at the cost of Carlos Spencer, and is still rated as one of the best tries in a test match in world rugby. In an instant, Bands had a moment that would follow him around and still does, becoming a legend of the front row, and scoring the try that made all props around the world whoop with delight.
But few know that Bands’ road to that moment, and his short Bok career were based on luck and hard work. And if there wasn’t the belief from a few key individuals, he never would have even tasted provincial rugby, nevermind score one of the best test tries of all time.
Growing up in the North West province, a young Bands was introduced to rugby the hard, uncompromising way, in dusty stadiums where television replays would never exist, and got a taste of the hard yards on the rugby field long before anyone ever knew him.
Read the full story on: News24.