Boks move into England’s posh rugby base

MIKE GREENAWAY explains why some Springboks may know how to drive a tank soon, and recaps an eventful week in the Bok camp.

After qualifying for the quarter-finals, the Boks delivered a final humiliation to the England team when they moved into England’s ultra-posh Pennyhill Park Hotel near the town of Bagshot, deep in Surrey’s mink-and-manure belt.

The 123-acre country resort borders the famous Wentworth golf course, a venue of the British Open, and in a 10km radius is Windsor Castle, Ascot race course, and Sandhurst, the military academy where the crème de la crème of the British Army do their officer training.

The hotel and spa, which dates back to the 1850s, is a popular retreat for celebrities and among its long-term residents have been Hollywood stars Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas and Russell Crowe. It is also a favourite hide-out of pop star Justin Timberlake and Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton.

Prior to the start of the tournament, each team’s manager drew a number out of a hat, with the team drawing the lowest number having the pick of the appointed hotels. Ironically, England drew No1 and could have remained at their Pennyhill home had they qualified for the play-offs.

The Boks had a good draw out of the hat and have pinched Pennyhill, which has state of the art rugby facilities built especially for their best customers, the England rugby team, and is far from the media and public glare.

England have based themselves at Pennyhill for 15 years. Among the state of the art facilities is a R22-million pitch that is replica of the Twickenham pitch, down to the last blade of grass. The carefully manicured pitch is taken care of by the Twickenham ground staff themselves. There is also an artificial indoor 3G grass pitch.

The Boks might be an hour and half’s journey from London, and far from the shopping and entertainment hub of the world, but in their time off from training they can indulge themselves in pursuits reserved for the rich and famous: golf at Wentworth, clay-pigeon-shooting, archery and, for something a little bit different, tank driving (courtesy of Sandhurst). [Now there’s a useful skill to have! – Ed.]

England celebrity chef Michael Wignall, the resident Gordon Ramsay, heads a restaurant that boasts two Michelin stars and has won four AA Rosettes — whatever the heck that means!

Wignall might be horrified to learn that in the Springbok media guide, half the Boks list steak and chips as their preferred dish.

Check out these pics of the new Bok base …