Rugby: Spies story intriguing tale

Pierre Spies. Photo / Getty Images

Pierre Spies says everyone has a story to tell. It is just a matter of whether people care to disclose it or others want to listen.

Spies has a more interesting, and at times more harrowing, story than most players. There have been great highs but also terrible lows, in sport and life.

He succeeded academically and on the sporting field at school against a backdrop of sometimes hard financial times (he told friends they could come to play but couldn't stay for dinner because the family couldn't afford it).

He became the youngest person to play Super 12 for the Bulls when he made his debut in 2005, aged just 19, but did it in spite of struggling with the divorce of his parents and then death of his father at 53 from a heart attack - which made him question his belief in family and God and saw him chase a party harder than a rugby ball.

He had a terrific first international season, being nominated for just about every award in South African rugby, only to be robbed of a chance to play at the 2007 World Cup because of blood clots on his lungs.

That was one of his most difficult battles. Spies had been named in the Springboks World Cup squad but two weeks later was coughing up blood.

Doctors told him he had to take blood-thinning medication for at least six months and not to play rugby during that time. His father and grandfather died from a similar ailment and there weren't any guarantees Spies would even play rugby again.

"Missing [the World Cup in] 2007 was a deep blow from a professional point of view but, personally, I believe everything happens for a reason," he said before last night's first Tri Nations test with the All Blacks. "It was a period in my life when I couldn't play the game but I really got away from it and got moved in my faith in God.

"Missing the World Cup was very sad but it did wonders for my faith. God brought me back into the game, healing me. I was just six months on medication. It was an interesting time in my life but definitely worth it ... and I lived to tell the story. After that, I made a DVD to share my faith and my stories, about the crises I had in my life. It's about overcoming those and keeping on. The 2007 World Cup set the platform for that.

"All of us have a story to tell. All of us probably have similar problems but not everyone knows about it, especially us playing at this level. People look at you and think you have it made. We all have problems and we have to deal with them. That's what I share with people.

"I'm not on medication any more. Still living it day by day, like all of us. I'm just enjoying the game and know that it can be taken away from you at any time. Things happen. It gave me a lot more perspective and I enjoy the game for what it is."

Many people, particularly South Africans, enjoy watching Spies play.

The 25-year-old is a brute of a player, combining pace and power, and has established himself as arguably the world's best No 8.

His body now allows him to do what he wants. It's something he has been preparing it for. He can bench press 165kg, power clean 135kg, dead lift 240kg and has even been known to do pull-ups with a 50kg weight between his legs.

But there's an even bigger load Spies and his team-mates carry: the weight of expectation.

The South African nation expects the Springboks to claim their third world title in New Zealand next year and become the first country to win consecutive World Cups.

Spies is desperate to be a part of it but knows, from experience, not to look too far ahead.

"The World Cup is just around the corner but so much water still needs to go under the bridge," he says. "A lot of things still need to happen; so many games still need to be played. It's so far to think ahead.

"All I am doing now is enjoying the game for what it is and enjoying playing for the 'Boks and Bulls.

"It's a special time with these players, many of whom will retire after next year. When the time comes for the World Cup, hopefully everything will be in order."

If South Africa win, Spies will be able to add another chapter to his story.