And I won’t hear otherwise…

The Six Nations is nearly upon us.

Which feels like the perfect excuse for me to explain why rugby is, without question, the greatest sport in the world!

So here goes…

Whilst I am solely a spectator these days, I played rugby until I was around 30 years old. When I look back on that time, one of the things I remember most fondly is the team camaraderie.

Although most of us are now firmly on the wrong side of 50, the strong bonds we formed during our years of playing together have well and truly stood the test of time. I guess there’s nothing like a few bruises, a muddy scrum, and a post-match pint to cement a friendship!

I realise rugby isn’t the only sport that values teamwork and fosters camaraderie, but for me, it remains one of the best examples of what genuine collective effort looks like.

And I’m not just talking about on the field. There’s a special sense of community among rugby fans too. Whether you’re watching a match in an 82,000-seater stadium or standing shoulder-to-shoulder with complete strangers down the pub, rugby fans are welcoming, respectful, and united by the game.

And if you need evidence, remember that home and away fans are not segregated at matches; they all mingle quite happily… shame the same can’t be said of football!

There is a reason that Nelson Mandela used the Springboks to help unite a deeply divided nation after apartheid, as dramatised in the film Invictus. Rugby brings people together in ways that few other sports can.

That sense of connection is something I still feel every time I watch the game. Being half Scottish, one of my favourite places to watch a rugby match is at Murrayfield. The atmosphere really is electric! 

And if I can’t be physically in the stadium, then the next best thing is watching my beloved Springboks with my family and friends at home, gathered around a braai.

Some of my favourite rugby memories come from moments like these. One match in particular still stands out: the Springboks beating the host nation, France, at the Rugby World Cup in 2023. The final score was 28–29. If I have yet to convince you of the virtues of rugby or you just need reminding how special it can be, I’d urge you to re-watch that match. There’s a good reason it will go down as one of the most thrilling games in World Cup history.

Moments like that are exactly why rugby continues to captivate. Because beyond the memories and the atmosphere, there’s also the beauty of the game itself…

Rugby’s varied gameplay – from bone-crunching power plays to beautifully judged tactical kicks – keeps it exciting and unpredictable. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been on the edge of my seat, convinced the match was won or lost, only for it to turn on a single moment of brilliance.

It’s also worth mentioning how inclusive rugby is. Just think about it for a second. There is a position on the field for every body type – from the agile lightning-fast wingers to the stocky 16-stone immovable props. And the rise of women’s rugby has been nothing short of brilliant, with the Red Roses lifting the World Cup no less than three times and inspiring a whole new generation of players and fans.

In many ways, it’s not that dissimilar to the team here at Trellidor, or any other business for that matter. Everyone has different strengths and skill sets, but each person has their own unique part to play that contributes to the success of the company as a whole.

So there you have it. That’s my case for why rugby is the greatest sport in the world. I could go on, but I won’t push my luck!

Yes, it’s a high-contact, often brutal sport that demands physical courage. But for me, its appeal goes far beyond the physicality; it’s built on discipline, respect, integrity, passion, and solidarity.

And if you’re still not convinced, we’ll just have to settle it the South African way… braai on, Springboks playing, and no one leaving until the fire dies down.