To begin with, I'd like to wish each and every member of the South African rugby family a safe and joyful festive season.
It has been an awful year.
Many of us have lost loved ones and dear friends this year in the struggle against the invisible enemy: Covid-19. Many families are suffering due to the loss of jobs and income. And if we don't practise caution now, things could get a whole lot worse.
But there's an upside to mountain fires, too. When the soot has settled the fynbos flourishes anew. Green shoots poke through the darkness, like little miracles, knitting together and healing the wound.
When people work together to achieve something good they become an unstoppable force.
If we all practise self-discipline, and follow the rules on wearing masks, social distancing and regularly washing our hands, the virus will have nowhere to go and new opportunities will emerge.
When rugby players work together and learn to believe in themselves and each other they, too, become unstoppable.
On a personal note, I am hugely excited to have been given the chance to help build a new culture of senior rugby in the Eastern Cape. It is both a rugby opportunity and an opportunity to contribute to the development of our people and country.
I take note of the number of stars raised in this province – none of whom play in the region today. Siya Kolisi, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Scarra Ntubeni, Elton Jantjies, Curwin Bosch, Jeremy Ward, Junior Pokomela... Rassie Erasmus, Mzwandile Stick... it's a long list.
This strength is not new. Eastern Province schools contributed the third most Springboks, behind Western Province and Free State, on a list compiled in 2014. If you add Border schools' contribution, the Eastern Cape rises above Free State to second in the country, overall.
If players of colour hadn't been excluded from representing the Springboks for most of those years, the Eastern Cape would be challenging for first.
Green shoots in abundance.
To have the chance to contribute to growing strong timber here is an honour and privilege. We won't be aiming to punch above our weight. We are weighty enough. We must use it well.
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