John Robbie made his name playing for Ireland, the Lions and in South Africa, yet his life after rugby has been more dramatic
By Jonathan Drennan for the Guardian Sport Network
John Robbie has lived in
South Africa for nearly 40 years but he has not lost his soft
Dublin accent. The former
Ireland and Lions rugby player has achieved a lot in his life. He recently retired from his popular breakfast radio show in Johannesburg, where he gained a reputation for holding the country’s politicians to account and championing the new South Africa. He should feel pride at his achievements on and off the field, yet he still harbours guilt and shame for the decision that originally took him to the country.
“When I was a young man, I ate, slept and breathed rugby,” he says. “You have no idea. It consumed me. I had been lucky enough to tour South Africa with the Lions in 1980 and just had one of those amazing experiences, playing in the last Test. In 1981, the opportunity came up to tour with Ireland to South Africa. Should I have thought that touring apartheid South Africa was wrong? Absolutely. Did I know that what was happening there was wrong? I did. But I was thinking just about rugby, selfishly about the opportunity to be treated like a professional for a few months and play at the highest level. I have lived to regret that decision my whole life.”