In the world of professional rugby, you can have several comebacks. Schalk Brits knows this better than most, having come out of retirement more than once and most significantly to help lead the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory in 2019. But you only get one shot at being a good dad.
At his home in Stellenbosch, with a braai on the go and jumping in and out of the pool with his dog in between a game of touch rugby with his three boys, Brits is relishing being a full-time dad after his most recent retirement from the game.
More specifically, he’s loving having his weekends for his family. So much so that he’s already planned a particularly significant weekend for himself and his boys when on 5-6 March he’ll treat them to the Vodacom RED Father and Son Campout at Loftus Versfeld.
“That’s been the greatest pleasure for me in life after rugby – weekends, and just being able to plan a weekend. I love being able to plan a trip with the family and look forward to it. It’s why I can’t wait to get on a plane with my boys and make new memories at the Vodacom RED Father and Son Campout,” he says.
But beyond this, life after professional rugby has allowed Brits to be more intentional about his desire to #BeThatDad, and to be fully present in the lives of his three boys and give them the kind of love and support he says he was blessed to receive from his own parents.
“For me, what #BeThatDad means is to just be present with my boys. As a professional rugby player I was away from home a lot. During the Rugby World Cup in 2019 I slept at home for 15 days in eight months. So now it’s not just about quality time but time in general. I’ve got three boys who are each very different, and it’s about being consistent with all of them.”
After the incredible highs of a life in rugby, it’s the simple things of family that Brits is loving at the moment.
“It’s just that simple pleasure of being at home every night, maybe having a family braai and a chat with the boys, putting them to bed and asking how their day was. That’s special.”
And Brits says his focus on being present in the lives of his sons extends to him being as much of an open book to them as he’s encouraging them to be with him.
“You know, the external perception of me is that I’m always happy and smiling. But I also have my ups and downs on some days. I like to share those things with my kids so they understand that dad can also be sad sometimes or be disappointed with certain things in life, and that they can share those things in their lives with me as well.”
So for now, the only comeback Brits intends on making is to that next game of touch rugby in the garden with his boys.
“You get one chance to be a good dad, so I want to give my sons a lot of love and energy. Life is short and I try to live it to the fullest. I’m grateful every day to have healthy kids who I’m trying to teach about compassion and kindness.”
As a Vodacom RED VIP client, if you want to join Brits and his sons at the Vodacom RED Father and Son Campout on 5-6 March 2022, then register on www.redrewards.co.za. Entries are open until Sunday, 13 February 2022.
