Durban - It is already being described as having the toughest membership in the world and those members are looking for the next generation of tough.
That's the powerful new Centurion Foundation, which will include 49 rugby icons who have played 100 Test matches or more and is being launched in London, on November 23 at the posh Hilton Hotel.
Five South African former Springboks, John Smit, Victor Matfield, Percy Montgomery, Jean de Villiers and Bryan Habana will be among the honoured at the black-tie gala event, which will see rugby's greatest living legends gather under one roof.
This will include the likes of All Black giants Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu, Kieran Read and Mils Muliaina, from Down Under the Wallabies’ David Campese, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan and Steven Moore, France's Fabien Pelous, Scotland's most capped player Ross Ford, and from over the sea, Irish players, Brian O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara, while sporting the dragon of the Welsh, Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Thomas and Alun Wyn Jones, among others.
Only three in every 1 000 players cross that formidable 100 Test milestone
Speaking to The Independent on Saturday this week, former Springbok captain, Smit said the core function of the new foundation is to grow rugby at grassroots level, with Africa holding “a huge amount of potential” when it comes to finding world class players.
“No other sport has ever created this kind of platform, it's the first of its kind and we want to be ambassadors, growing the game wherever possible,” said Smit.
In the capacity of managing custodian for the foundation, Smit has been appointed to lead the global organisation and he described world rugby as “being in a good place
right now, with growing interest in rugby”.
He said the concept of the foundation was the brainchild of Johannesburg businessman and philanthropist, Gavin Varejes, who grew
up in Durban and is also
the founder the SA Rugby Legends Foundation.
Smit, who finished his career as the most capped rugby captain of all time, said that potentially great rugby players coming out of Africa are often spotted in Sevens Rugby.
He added Sevens is fast gaining popularity, particularly in Kenya and Namibia, and that it also serves as an ideal training ground and platform for up-and-coming rugby players.
“It's very much a catalyst to get guys to come into the game and Sevens is an amazing platform.”
Adding that there are great young players currently in Rugby Union, he cited
Sharks members Curwin Bosch and Lukhanyo Am as exciting players to watch.
“Such players are everywhere, all we have got to do is open our eyes to find them. Watching Bosch running on for his Springbok debut (last week) was incredibly special,” said Smit.
He added the Centurions will work towards assisting vulnerable communities around the world and taking the game of rugby into “unknown territories”.