[imagesource: @junglejoe333]

To take a leaf out of Joe van Niekerk’s book, greetings and blessings, 2oceansvibe readers.

The former Springbok was back in the news this week after an interview from two years back resurfaced, where he talked about recreational drug use in rugby.

He has also been talking about his life after rugby, on a former organic farm that is now a “healing sanctuary” called Rama Organica.

With the renewed media interest in van Niekerk, and many stumbling across the gem that is his Instagram account (@junglejoe333) this week, Sport24 reached out for an interview.

Joe obliged, and gave a frank answer when asked about his take on the drinking and doping culture in rugby, which he says were misconstrued:

I said we should look at each case individually and could help players that get caught in a more compassionate way. If you were to smoke a joint before a match would you be able to play rugby at the top of your game? The answer is no. It isn’t a performance-enhancing drug – it’s actually a plant and therein lies the contradiction.

I’m not condoning the use of alcohol, pharmaceuticals, recreational or performance-enhancing drugs. All I’m saying is that it’s part of our society and we should deal with this humanely. I believe we need to bring more empathy towards players that test positive for recreational drugs.

Tough to argue with that. Honestly, why can’t players smoke a joint if they want? It’s been decriminalised for personal and private use in South Africa, after all.

Sport24 also asked Joe about his thoughts on Siya Kolisi and his leadership, and he was full of praise:

I have met Siya once before and first and foremost what I observed was his humility. If you look at all the great leaders the humility with which they carry themselves is a huge trait…

In Siya, I see someone who has dropped all divides and any form of separation. It’s about using the skills of each and every player and getting to know them on a personal level.

If you can create bonds outside of rugby then what happens when you hit the pitch it’s like you are brothers. I think that is what happened with the 2019 World Cup-winning Springboks, who created that ethos and energy from within. You need to have a tight strategy and know what to do in each area of the field, but for me the template for success in professional sport is about creating bonds and having each other’s back.

Following our World Cup win last year (that’s right, at least three more years of being world champions), Joe took to Instagram to praise the Bokke:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Incredible scenes so much honour 🙏 the alignment was perfect stars Divine 🙏💖 God – bless @siya_kolisi_the_bear you are a true gentlemen Sir the Biggest heart! @nelson_mandela_oficial is smiling down from Heaven now . Mr President is in pure bliss 🙏The ” Beeeeast” so much joy @tendaimtawarira looking on…. @flolouw with the inner smile noticing perhaps an iconic moment of many ! thank you all for your courage 😄😍 congratulations to the whole team played with worldclass skills, soul and massive heart! Rassie Erasmus genuis wise plan magical @bokrugby on Top of World Rugby! #tothewhole team very grateful to bear witness to this Brilliance @schalkbrits no words, brothers 🎉🎉🎉 Our BLOOD IS GREEN! 💚 LIGHT UP THE WORLD! LOVE TO All From CR Jah bless #vivarainbownation Viva #blessings

A post shared by Joe Van Niekerk (@junglejoe333) on Nov 2, 2019 at 7:33pm PDT

Jah bless.

Finally, which three people do you reckon Joe would invite to his dream dinner? Jah bless is a clue…

I would invite Nelson Mandela. He was absolutely iconic and such an example. When I think of South Africa he comes to mind. I believe people could really take in his message right now. I was fortunate enough to meet him and he has touched my life in so many ways.

I would also have Bob Marley over. I’m really connected to Rastafarianism. I am now sporting dreadlocks and I’m going ‘Jungle Joe’ all the way! Within Rastafarianism I love the way that the feminine energy is adorned and respected.

I would also love to spend time with my master Sri Mooji. (Mooji is a Jamaican spiritual teacher who is based in Portugal).

I’m really drawn towards his teachings and the truth that he is. There are teachers on this planet who aren’t in it for material gain… The likes of Sri Mooji and the Dalai Lama are the people we really need to listen to during these times rather than the mainstream media and politicians. When truth is spoken, it plants a seed, and we know.

I find SuperSport’s rugby panels seriously overrated, but I think I’d enjoy watching Joe lecture Naas Botha on how to better harness the universe’s energy.

They could then go to Breyton at the touch screen as he showed us a few yoga poses, before Nick Mallett chimed in with how he would teach yoga differently.

I would also enjoy SuperSport’s rugby coverage more if Naas was told, politely, that he brings nothing to the table and must hang up his boots. Seriously, why are we still subjected to his ‘analysis’?

You can read the full interview on Sport24.

As we head into the weekend, Jah bless, friends.

[source:sport24]