It looks like someone donned their Sherlock cap and pipe and killed a few hours at the office…

Big up to Michael O, our amateur sleuth who followed up on our recent Joe van Niekerk posts. If you’re not familiar with those then see HERE and HERE first, the former Bok looking a far cry from the same guy we saw on the field.

Here’s the email we received that shows some serious dedication:

Hi,

So, whilst I don’t know if Joe is ok, I indulged in some informal sleuthery, and believe that he is is still in Toulon:

1) If you look at the menu and the name in the background…
2) Then assume that it is either Bic&Co, or BLC&Co. on the menu.
3) Then take last known address/ location – Toulon.
4) Web research guided me Trip Advisor (I did venture on to page 2 of Google…I know, pretty ballsy) for a cafe/ brasserie with similar initials.

and you find:
Bio & Co Le Comptoir. (Bio, not bic or BLC to the horror of my eyesight. (Can eyesight be horrified? I’m not sure.)

Proof:

Reviewing “All visitor Photo” – you can font/ logo on the menu, table colour and small coffee mugs and drinking glasses seem to show that this is where he was spotted.

Food seems nice, and simple – well presented, with chips/ frites that look crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside – always a good sign.

Regarding the frowned upon cellular device – further research showed that The Blackberry Q10:

According to French wireless provider SFR, the BlackBerry Q10 is the best selling smartphone on its network. The handset is outselling the Galaxy S4, HTC One, Lumia 520 and even the iPhone 5. Furthermore, the BlackBerry Z10 is also outselling the iPhone 5, Sony Xperia Z and Galaxy S III. SFR has more than 21 million subscribers and is the second largest wireless provider in France. If similar trends are occurring on other networks, BlackBerry may finally have its first hit in quite some time [source].

So, whilst us peasants in Africa frown upon the device, it may be that Joe is ahead of the….pack.

Photo of their menu:

This photo of Bio & Co, Le Comptoir is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Thanks,
Mike.

Another reader, Danie C, found that same picture on the Instagram account of a former Toulon teammate – this time in black and white.

Right we know that Joe is kicking it in Toulon for now, having retired from professional rugby last year, but the question remains – is he in a band? What’s up with the new look? Do people in France really use BlackBerrys?

Email any leads or info you might have to editor@2oceansvibe.com and keep up the good sleuthing work guys and girls, we love your dedication.