When professional rugby players hang up their boots, there are many paths to choose from.

Some go on to succeed in the business world, like Francois Pienaar and John Smit (captaining a World Cup-winning side never hurts), whilst others turn to punditry, picking apart the performances of the Boks on the field.

Then there’s ‘Big Joe’, or Joe van Niekerk, who has gone a very different route.

Over the years, we have uncovered various Big Joe sightings, the latest of which was a sighting in far-off Costa Rica from July last year.

Now there’s a video that’s been doing the rounds on social media and WhatsApp the last few days. Some have assumed that this was recorded ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Japan, but we’ve been informed that it’s an old video.

Greetings, brothers:

Basically, Big Joe sounds like that friend of yours who just got back from AfrikaBurn, and had, like, a transcendent experience, man.

COSTA RICAAAAAA.

He’s certainly more clean-shaven above than he was in this video below, from November last year, which was filmed as part of an interview with Midi Olympique magazine.

This gives us more insight into what Joe’s up to:

It appears that Rama Organica’s website is down at the time of writing, but we did find their Facebook page.

This from the page’s most recent post, from October last year:

Rama Organica is situated in a lush jungle setting at the foot of the Talamanca Mountains in the Southern Pacific Zone of Costa Rica. Approximately 3.5 hours from the international airport of San Jose (Juan Santamaria). Transport is available (rental cars, taxi or bus) or discuss with management for private collections

We are a spiritual educational community.

Points to note :

– Alcohol drugs and cigarettes will not be permitted on the land
– Free Wi-fi
– Striving to be 80% organic and self-sustainable
– pollution free zone
– Plants “encouraged”
– mostly organic food

Rama in it’s short history has already assisted beings in recognizing the true self through sacred ceremonies ,water and flower blessings ! . We are open to retreat leaders , yoga teachers ,hosting on the land to come and share their gifts here .
Reach out to us if you are seeking this kind of collaboration or ” retreat space in the Jungle” !

Or if you feel you need to recharge , discover a new energy , find your true self , be yourself , relax , regenerate , explore, detox , heal , rest , speak with the monkeys , here the sounds of nature and bliss out in serene vibrations.

Yeah, so there you have it.

Apparently the veggies out in Costa Rica are pretty sizeable:

Sending love and light.

[sources:rugbyrama&ramaorganica]