London - Joel Stransky, the man who executed the most famous kick in South African rugby history is, some may be surprised to know, of English descent, so it’s no surprise to find that in his downtime from Rugby World Cup commentating commitments, he likes nothing better than to cycle through the idyllic Dorset dales.
After his cup-winning drop goal in 1995, flyhalf Stransky was a sought-after commodity in the rugby world – and almost ended up living in Dorset when he was offered a place at Bristol Rugby Club, in North Dorset, as a backline coach under the legendary Bob Dwyer. Keyhole surgery to Stransky’s knee put paid to that.
However, he ended up with the Leicester Tigers, with whom he played, and lived in England for five years.
Those five years changed his perceptions. “There is no substitute for experiencing a new country, a new culture, a new hobby and a different lifestyle – it makes you appreciate your own country even more.”
A decade later, with his first Cape Epic behind him and in between commentating as a rugby panellist, “Stranners” is cycling throughout west England, raising money for his charity or raising the South African flag.
“That kick changed my life, but every true sportsman is always looking for an equally daunting challenge. I want to be the best I can at whatever I do.”
The West Country, where Dorset lies, is home to a host of attractions, like its World Heritage Jurassic coastline of geomorphic rock formations, such as Durdle Door, and cliffs that stretch as far as Bournemouth. This year Dorset’s annual Sand Sculpture festival, at Weymouth, included a Rugby World Cup-inspired beach rugby festival.
In the West Country, one finds the Dinosaur Museum, Sea Life Adventure Park, Monkey World and Forest Leisure Cycle Tour and the verdant vales of the River Frome, the backdrop for Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles.
Summer Lodge, a 16th-century Georgian manor house in the historic village of Evershot, is where Hardy lived, wrote, and practised as an architect. Evershot lies at an altitude that is the second-highest in England, and is well positioned for one of Stransky’s cycling forays to test mind and body.
This milestone appeared on the map with the arrival of the Great Western Railway line to Holywell, to the south, in 1857, only for a fire in 1865 to destroy almost the entire village. The last Earl of Ilchester, who owned Summer Lodge, asked Hardy to design a second floor and additional wing for the manor.
The historic property has had only two owners in a century. Comedian Ronnie Corbett owned it before South African hoteliers Bea and Stanley Tollman came to the rescue of English heritage and restored the manor.
The purchase included the high street’s “Tess Cottage” – where Tess met Angel’s parents – and The Acorn Inn, referred to by Hardy as “The Snow and Acorn”, which now accommodates guests in rooms named after Hardy’s characters.
The moment you sweep down the tree-lined hill, pass the church, whose bell chimes on the hour, drive through the high gates and become engulfed in a sanctuary of lawns, borders and fountains, you feel at home.
The reception and bar area feature antique sporting paraphernalia. The dining room, lounge and most bedrooms are spacious, with large sash windows overlooking the rose garden, and the food fabulous and unfussy. Renowned chef Raymond Blanc says this Red Carnation hotel is his favourite escape.
If you are, like Stransky, a health and fitness fanatic, there is an all-weather tennis court, an indoor heated pool and exclusive access to 6.5km of running or walking paths.
Given that Stransky clocks up at least 80km before breakfast on any given day of his hectic Rugby World Cup week, what happier ending could there be than Hardy’s?
“The more I criss-cross the English counties on a bicycle, exploring the plethora of Rugby World Cup venues, the more I fall in love with the idyllic countryside and hidden gems – and if there is a South African connection, so much the better, because at heart, I’m for ever a Springbok.”
l Deborah Curtis-Setchell was transported through the West Country courtesy of Avis UK.
Saturday Star