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John Harvey
Springbok. Politician. Coach.
This is the phenomenal CV of new South Western Districts Eagles head coach Bevin Fortuin, who this week was appointed to turn around the union's flagging fortunes.
A George man through and through, Fortuin, 34, was faced with the tough decision of leaving his position as a DA councillor in the local municipality to take up the post, but believes as a rugby man there was only one choice.
Capped twice by the Springboks in 2006 and 2007 and captain of the Eagles in 2010, Fortuin follows in the footsteps on incumbent Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer who mentored the team in the late 1990s.
"I took [local team] Blanco to the national club rugby championships last year. I loved that because 80% of the team had never even been on a plane before. Flying up to Johannesburg was an entirely new experience for them, and I loved being a part of that," he said.
"I grew up in George and played for Blanco, so it was really special."
Fortuin recalls being invited to join the Springboks as a 20-year-old to gain "learning experience", which would place him in good stead later in his career.
"Heyneke Meyer was involved in the set-up then, and it was a huge experience to learn from the man. Now that I am SWD Eagles coach it is an honour to follow in his footsteps."
The affable married father of a one-year-old boy also played Super Rugby for the Cheetahs, and is hoping to bring all that he learnt in the Free State to his new role.
"I remember when I got there [Free State] there were legends of the game like coach Rassie Erasmus. I learnt so much from Rassie, a real innovator. Using lights of the roof of the stadium and things like that.
"What I learnt most was the phenomenal work ethic that players need to have. The effort you put in off the field reaps reward on the field."
Fortuin takes the helm of the George-based side when they are in something of a slump. The team has won only one of its last seven Vodacom Cup games.
However, he feels that the team has the potential to once again become a force in South African rugby.
"This is a new era. I am going to tell the players to forget about the past and focus on the future. There is so much talent in the Southern Cape.
"Just as I was in politics, I will be in rugby. You have to make people believe in themselves. I came from playing for Blanco to become a Bok, and that shows anything is possible if you work hard. I am a George man and I know the systems, so I feel I can do a good job."
