Danie Gerber is not a name many Nigerians will be familiar with. After all rugby is still a fringe sport in Nigeria and the last time he played on the international fields was over 20 years ago. But for many rugby aficionados he is still considered among the best to ever pull on a rugby jersey.
Perhaps his finest hour came near the end of his career when in 18 blistering minutes he blitzed England scoring a hattrick of tries playing outside South Africa’s first ever black player Errol Tobias at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Gerber’s outright pace, strength and illusiveness made him a terror for any defence earning him a coveted spot in the International Rugby Board’s Hall of Fame.
Next week Gerber will share some of his enormous depth of experience with the best of Nigeria’s young players when he visits Lagos as a guest of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation.
Gerber will work with players at the National Stadium in Surulere to help the Black Stallions (Nigeria’s national team) prepare for the Africa Cup Sevens in Kenya in November.
Gerber’s visit to Nigeria alongside another Springbok great, Breyton Paulse, is being made possible by South African Airways who are sponsoring the cost of their travel. Paulse will be addressing a gala dinner at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, on Wednesday.
