When Corne Krige realised that his body was trying to tell him enough was enough, there was only one course of action. ”I have never conned a club in my life, and I wasn’t about to start now. Moreover, I didn’t want people whispering among themselves that I wasn’t the player I’d once been,” says Krige in his recently released autobiography, The Right Place at the Wrong Time.
As Krige says, he could have stayed on for another season with Northampton, going through the motions and collecting a handsome cheque at the end of each month, but that would have been dishonest, so he quit, bringing to an end one of the most controversial rugby careers of the modern era.
In hindsight it was the correct decision, because no matter what you think about Corne Krige, who is in Johannesburg to promote the book, there is no denying that when he stepped on the rugby field for club, province or country he played like his life depended on it, often to the detriment of his body. As Morne du Plessis says in the foreword, ”His physical commitment was at times frightening to behold. Has anybody ever shed as much blood as he on the rugby field?”
However, despite Krige’s commitment on the field, he still presided over the Springbok team as captain through some of the darkest days in the history of the sport in this country. The Twickenham Test of 2002, Geogate and Kamp Staaldraad will always be closely associated with his career and, as he says when quizzed about the possibility of being involved in South African rugby some time in the future: ”I have way too much baggage.”
He began work on his autobiography, with rugby writer Peter Bills, when he was still living in Northampton. Bills was based in Bath, an hour away, so they used to meet in the Cotswolds to work on the book. ”It is probably the most difficult thing I have ever done,” says Krige. ”Having to revisit some of the most difficult things I went through as a person and later as a player.”
Krige says the intention of the book was always to give an honest personal account of his life so far and he was not interested in naming and shaming people.
”I tried to mention where people made mistakes but also to mention their good points as well and never try and attack them as a person. Unfortunately it has not paid off for me as a lot of people have attacked me now and my integrity.”
Krige has been particularly under fire over the infamous Kamp Staaldraad. The chapter detailing this World Cup boot camp is riveting reading, although at times fairly disturbing. He admits that there were a few areas in the camp where, with hindsight, he feels he should have stood up for his players, but says the thought of not going to the World Cup, which was to be his last chance, was in the back of his mind.
”Some people say that some of the guys are scarred for life, that’s rubbish. If you can’t make it through a tough three days in your life and move on, then there are not a lot of positive things left for you in the future. I handled it, dealt with it and have moved on.”
Krige says the Springboks are in good hands with Jake White at the helm. ”I think it’s a great Springbok team and if they stick together there is no doubt we can win the World Cup.”
However, he is quick to point out the importance of bringing the youngsters through next year in preparation for the World Cup. ”I think 2007 is the focus now — but what is the South African public’s reaction going to be next year when we bring in young players and create opportunities for them?
”If you can create the right environment and say, ‘This is my goal in 2007,’ then in 2006 you can use guys. Yes, you will get some criticism, and yes, you will lose some games, but win the World Cup and all that is forgotten,” says Krige.
White’s Springbok squad is still in need of depth in certain positions, especially at flyhalf.
”I think putting Meyer Bosman in there [against Wales last week] was a great move, I thought he played very well,” says Krige. ”Well done to Jake for being brave enough to make that decision.”