Joel Stransky (South Africa)
 | Joel kicked a sensational drop-goal in extra time against the All Blacks to win the 1995 World Cup for his nation. But Joel was much more than a kicker. He was the first South African to score all four possible ways (try, conversion, drop-goal and penalty) in a test match, also in 1995. He is a rugby television commentator. |
Interview with Joel Stransky
Tyler Foundation (TF): Joel, what have you been doing since you ended your rugby career?
Joel Stransky (JS): I’ve got involved in the TV side of rugby which has kept me in the game. I commentate and present a rugby chat show once a week.
TF: You mentioned you were playing soccer the other week! What’s that all about?
JS: You know, for all sportsmen who are used to playing ball sports, you go to gym, run or cycle and it quickly becomes monotonous and boring. And the opportunity came up to get involved in a veteran’s league soccer side. So, I play in that league and midweek we play indoor soccer, 5 or 6 a side. And I try and stay active with new challenges…. I must say, I feel like I have three left feet at times but we have a lot of fun!
TF: Regarding commentary, what do you enjoy most and what are some of the challenges?
JS: At the moment, the challenge has been trying to stay positive while South Africa has not performed particularly well! When you work for a TV station that are selling a product, and the product is not great, you can’t go and slag it off because you’re cutting the hand that feeds you, I suppose. So, that’s been the challenging side, with the Springboks not having played particularly well and the Super 14 sides not having dazzled. It’s been a challenge to try and stay positive and promote a product that’s not performing. The great side is that it’s my passion, it’s where my heart lies and to be able to talk about it and get paid to do it is phenomenal.
TF: Joel, on our committee we have a couple of Kiwis and an Aussie which leads to heated TriNations debates! What are your thoughts on the prospects for South African rugby?
JS: I think we have had a lot of off the field issues and political dramas which have contributed to the side not performing well… I think there are a lot of great players who are putting their hands up at the moment. The likes of Pierre Spies. I think Wynand Olivier was pretty good at times. There’s no doubt we have the talent. Whether Jake White can improve in terms of strategy and skill levels, that’s the biggest challenge for us. It’s a big ask for us to win the World Cup next year, but it is possible. Hopefully we can have a good end of year tour and with a lot of the youngsters coming through, build towards the World Cup next year.
TF: If South African doesn’t win, who is your money on for the World Cup?
JS: Well, I hate to say it for the All Black members of your committee, but the All Blacks have really tended to peak between world cups and not deliver at the time. They’ve looked so good up until now and then all of a sudden in the last couple of games, I wouldn’t say that they’ve come unstuck but they haven’t looked the polished outfit that we’ve become accustomed to. They certainly will be very difficult to beat at the World Cup, but right now, I think the French team on home soil, having never won a World Cup… I think they will be very hard to beat.
TF: On the same theme, I have to ask you about “The Drop Goal” – this is partly for my colleagues’ benefit. Can you talk us through the 1995 World Cup final?
JS: Sure!! It was the first World Cup for South Africa and to have it on home soil was incredibly special. Keeping in mind all the political issues… we had only recently become a democratic state, Nelson Mandela had only been out of jail 4 or 5 years. It was really a whole process, for us as players, of watching a nation unite around us. And that was quite possibly the most special aspect. In terms of the rugby, I can’t help feeling that fate and destiny were on our side. We got off to a good start against Australia and that obviously meant we had an easier run to the final. And then in the final itself, there’s no doubt that the All Blacks were more experienced and probably a better side. But then again, the game is seldom played on paper and we were really up for it on the day. It was just our day. We defended well and that had been the All Blacks strength for so long. In terms of scoring loads and loads of tries, we managed to keep them out. Lomu was quiet on the day and, to this day, has never scored a try against the Springboks. We were very, very fit having worked incredibly hard and when it went to extra time, for the first time we really believed this was ours to go and win and we grew in confidence and strength through that last 15 to 20 minutes. When the opportunity came for the drop goal, we had called a back row move and we changed the move based on how the All Blacks were standing in defense and fortunately the kick went over! And the rest is history, as they say!
TF: Indeed! Joel, can you single out some of the best players you played with?
JS: Well, if I think about the Springbok players I played with, there was loads of talent. Mark Andrews was probably – I might have a bias because he was my room mate through the World Cup – he was a phenomenal player. I think Os Du Randt… to play as long as he’s played and to come back from injury takes real guts. Gary Teichman at number 8 was a phenomenal player. And then in my time in the UK, I can say with all respect that probably the best player I played under and had the privilege of coaching for a while was Martin Johnson. If I was to pen my World XV, the first two names I would write in are Martin Johnson and Mark Andrews. In terms of the backs, we had some incredibly gutsy and talented players and it would be unfair to single one or two out, but I was very lucky to play a couple of games early in my career with Danie Gerber who was absolutely incredible. In latter years, the guys who stood out more were some of the guys I played against. Timmy Horan, Jason Little. And I think as a fly half, on most defense patterns you’re tackling out so those are the guys you’re looking at, more so than your opposite number. Those were guys who always worried me.
TF: Have you played cricket?
JS: Believe it or not, I actually played Western Province primary schools cricket, provincial cricket as a real youngster. Then I became very much focused on the rugby side. But very excited about it, actually!
TF: Well, we’re looking forward to seeing your skills in action! Have you been to Japan before?
JS: I’ve not been there which is one reason I’m excited to come over for this wonderful event.
TF: And what are your expectations of Japan?
JS: I don’t know a lot about it. I’m expecting quite a forward thinking…. What is the word…? Japanese are known for being innovative and technology is a major thing. So, I’m looking forward to a real first world technological experience – to sum it up!
TF: Well, I hope we can deliver on that and look forward to seeing you in a few days!
JS: Fantastic! And thanks again for the invitation and opportunity!