i believe the LATE IZAAC was the most innovative coach SA Rugby had during our lifetime. The Rugby manuels he produced on his way of coaching and thoughts should be manadotory reading for all coaches. He had his own ways and i was fortunate to be coached by him at under 15. Ask mike mungavin the number of moves himself and pete shaw his scrumhalf had to practice and were expected to be used in games.
The late KEITH OXLEE became a great SPRINGBOK because of the late izaks innovative ideas.
He went to Argentina and trained the Pumas for 2 years also wrote a book (handbook type-had drawings and moves outlined) on rugby moves & tactics, Argentina still play the old "Natal" style rugby thanks to his teachings, The Sharks would be advised to find a copy of his book and play the "Natal" (Pumas) style of rugby the late I Van Heerden certainly left a legacy on how to play rugby & tactics. (Example run around an opposing player not into a player etc etc) .Remember seeing him train in the Gym as well.
This is a repost of Graham Bell's post on the 1964 site:
In 1973 Isak suffered a catastrophic heart attack and died. In 1970 Peter Disler and Gordon Duncan (class of 64) were medical students and learned that he was a heart patient in the private wing of their Johannesburg hospital, and went to see him. They were not, as I have prviously related, there at his demise. But it makes a good story, doesn't it? Imagine Isak in his last moment of consciousness becoming aware of DHS boys dressed as doctors, leaning over him and making lame attempts to reassure him in broken Afrikaans. Ag shame man.
I remeber the time when I played under 15? at DLI grounds. I had the ball and scored a "try". unfortunately, the line I saw was marked for a hockey field!
The practice, Izak made me run around the main field and every one in the whole under 15 teams had to tackle me! I had roasties allover, but I never made that mistake again.
This tribute was sent in by John Taylor - brother of Pat Taylor
In 1963 my brother Pat and I arrived at DHS from the Eastern Cape. We had great difficulty getting places at High School which was chocker-block. Fortunately good references from Grey P.E. impressed Wrinkles McIver sufficiently to find places for us - Pat in 3rd Form and yours truly in Form 4R [for repeat]. Otherwise we would have been condemned to a fate worse than death viz. going to Mansfield High!
Izak van Heerden was the Afrikaans master of 4R. Always dapper and commanding respect from a motley crew of repeats, he was never short of an answer and his dry sense of humour could be telling.
I remember one fellow [who shall be nameless] was wont to write his own sick notes when bunking school. Izak read his attempt one morning then retorted: “Even a plaas Dutchman like myself knows that you spell “diarrhoea” with 2 Rs – you wrote this yourself – go to the headmaster! “ [This particular boy was a talented creative writer as were several others in the class - not academically minded, but their essays were well worth reading].
Izak was also coach of the Under 16 rugby team of which I was a member. Izak had a way of looking at a player and assessing his correct position e.g "Armstrong’s legs move up and down like a sewing machine, he’ll play centre”.On one occasion a new boy joined our U16 group and insisted he couId only pack down on the left side of the scrum; Izak’s response: “If you’re with your girlfriend do you mind which side you are? OK, then you can play lock,left or right side!”
Rather irreverent anecdotes about this great rugby brain and innovator about whom others have already posted. A man of character and a great asset to the school.
I had the dubious pleasure of playing (flank and sometimes centre - athough I was as slow as a geriatric tortoise) in the 7th B rugby team - the "Bushwackers" - which Izak personally coached. I don't really remember any specific anecdotes about him except that he was a commanding figure, who despite instilling the fear of wrathful and vengeful God into us, just couldn't get us to perform. I don't think we ever won a game, but that had nothing to do with his skills and talents as a coach,: rather with our total ineptitude with an odd shaped ball! I think he considered the "Bushwakers" as his "community service charity case". A great man and a great rugby legend.
Billy Francis
Morning all
i believe the LATE IZAAC was the most innovative coach SA Rugby had during our lifetime. The Rugby manuels he produced on his way of coaching and thoughts should be manadotory reading for all coaches. He had his own ways and i was fortunate to be coached by him at under 15. Ask mike mungavin the number of moves himself and pete shaw his scrumhalf had to practice and were expected to be used in games.
The late KEITH OXLEE became a great SPRINGBOK because of the late izaks innovative ideas.
regards to all.
bill francis
Phillippe Bouffé
Certainly agree with Billy's comments.
He went to Argentina and trained the Pumas for 2 years also wrote a book (handbook type-had drawings and moves outlined) on rugby moves & tactics, Argentina still play the old "Natal" style rugby thanks to his teachings, The Sharks would be advised to find a copy of his book and play the "Natal" (Pumas) style of rugby the late I Van Heerden certainly left a legacy on how to play rugby & tactics. (Example run around an opposing player not into a player etc etc) .Remember seeing him train in the Gym as well.
from Philippe Bouffé
Cedric Parker
This is a repost of Graham Bell's post on the 1964 site:
In 1973 Isak suffered a catastrophic heart attack and died. In 1970 Peter Disler and Gordon Duncan (class of 64) were medical students and learned that he was a heart patient in the private wing of their Johannesburg hospital, and went to see him. They were not, as I have prviously related, there at his demise. But it makes a good story, doesn't it? Imagine Isak in his last moment of consciousness becoming aware of DHS boys dressed as doctors, leaning over him and making lame attempts to reassure him in broken Afrikaans. Ag shame man.
Des De Swardt
I remeber the time when I played under 15? at DLI grounds. I had the ball and scored a "try". unfortunately, the line I saw was marked for a hockey field!
The practice, Izak made me run around the main field and every one in the whole under 15 teams had to tackle me! I had roasties allover, but I never made that mistake again.
Regards
Des
Cedric Parker
This tribute was sent in by John Taylor - brother of Pat Taylor
In 1963 my brother Pat and I arrived at DHS from the Eastern Cape. We had great difficulty getting places at High School which was chocker-block. Fortunately good references from Grey P.E. impressed Wrinkles McIver sufficiently to find places for us - Pat in 3rd Form and yours truly in Form 4R [for repeat]. Otherwise we would have been condemned to a fate worse than death viz. going to Mansfield High!
Izak van Heerden was the Afrikaans master of 4R. Always dapper and commanding respect from a motley crew of repeats, he was never short of an answer and his dry sense of humour could be telling.
I remember one fellow [who shall be nameless] was wont to write his own sick notes when bunking school. Izak read his attempt one morning then retorted: “Even a plaas Dutchman like myself knows that you spell “diarrhoea” with 2 Rs – you wrote this yourself – go to the headmaster! “ [This particular boy was a talented creative writer as were several others in the class - not academically minded, but their essays were well worth reading].
Izak was also coach of the Under 16 rugby team of which I was a member. Izak had a way of looking at a player and assessing his correct position e.g "Armstrong’s legs move up and down like a sewing machine, he’ll play centre”.On one occasion a new boy joined our U16 group and insisted he couId only pack down on the left side of the scrum; Izak’s response: “If you’re with your girlfriend do you mind which side you are? OK, then you can play lock,left or right side!”
Rather irreverent anecdotes about this great rugby brain and innovator about whom others have already posted. A man of character and a great asset to the school.
Larry Butchins
I had the dubious pleasure of playing (flank and sometimes centre - athough I was as slow as a geriatric tortoise) in the 7th B rugby team - the "Bushwackers" - which Izak personally coached. I don't really remember any specific anecdotes about him except that he was a commanding figure, who despite instilling the fear of wrathful and vengeful God into us, just couldn't get us to perform. I don't think we ever won a game, but that had nothing to do with his skills and talents as a coach,: rather with our total ineptitude with an odd shaped ball! I think he considered the "Bushwakers" as his "community service charity case". A great man and a great rugby legend.