Dylan Bettencourt
Errol Tobias, the father of Sidney Tobias, was a bricklayer from the city of Caledon, Western Cape who became the first black player to wear the Springbok jersey.
He made his debut against Ireland at Newlands in 1981.
After Errol’s groundbreaking achievement in South African rugby, Sidney is hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps.
The 33-year-old did not have to endure the same career path as his father but his rise within the Blue Bulls ranks is one to behold.
Following several failed spells in South Africa and one in Italy, Sidney opted to work full time, establishing his own construction company at Northam Platinum.
“It’s really given me a different perspective,” he said on Monday.
“You view rugby and life in general in a different way, especially when you’re working full-time, juggling your priorities.”
Sidney had to shift his schedule in order to keep fit to play rugby and still make a living.
The rugby player was working to become a rock engineer which meant going underground three times a week at the Zondereinde mine.
On the weekend Tobias had time for rugby where he starred for the Northam Rhinos club in the Limpopo region.
“I worked from 7am to 4pm every day, which meant I had to get up at 4.30am to go to the gym and then rush off after my shifts to get back and do fitness training on my own in the late afternoons,” he said.
“It’s a strange feeling. Even though I only played club rugby for the best part of three years I never really considered myself as a rugby player.”
But last year, Sidney’s dream of being a professional rugby player came true when Jake White and the Blue Bulls came knocking at his door.
“I’m blessed. Jake was willing to have a look at players in the club system and give them a chance. I’ve really taken my journey to heart. I’ve learnt the lessons of being given a chance,” he said.
Sidney plays for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship and for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup.
He said he hopes his father is proud of him for what he has achieved in his life and not only as a rugby player.
Image source: @DiePos
