30 SECONDS with Bushy Oliver

WE spoke to one of Griquas' most famous fans, Eric "Bushy" Oliver, in Kimberley.

How did you get your nickname?

When I was about eight, my mom sent me out to buy meat for the family and on my way back a proper bushman with round buttocks and loincloth took everything. He was about 30, but he was my size. I decided to fight him, using my fists, but he beat me up and I started crying. But I carried on fighting and hit him with my head. After I got the meat back my family started calling me "Bushy".

You have supported Griquas for 60 years. Your fondest memory?

In 1998, the year we finished top of the Currie Cup standings, just before the famous semifinal loss to Province, Neels Lotter, the groundsman, was sternly told by Andre Markgraaff to roll that ground "till the dust comes out, it must be like sand". I went to every training session that year - I still do - and from what I saw and heard, Markgraaff had only 10 movements mapped out for the entire game, mostly around Gaffie du Toit. I remember that day so clearly. I went to the stadium early to speak to the players and in walkedProvince captain Bob Skinstad. It was hot and his head was down, he looked defeated. But five minutes before the game, it started to rain - heavily. Bob had his tongue sticking out and I told him to "shove it up his ass". Markgraaff then came in and said all patterns had to change. We lost by about two points.

You were into boxing for many years. Tell us about your link with boxer Charlie Weir?

I had a club, the Puma Amateur Boxing Club, and Charlie and his brother Donald boxed under me. Charlie started off thin, eight or nine years of age. I realised he couldn't bob and weave, his legs were too thin, so I taught him to punch straight, left and right. I taught him to go in with hate and to say sorry and shake hands afterwards. He then went to the Toweel camp but I don't want to say too much about that, I may still get into trouble from them.

What else have you been up to?

I wrote my autobiography - Hi, my name is Bushy. It came out three years ago here in Kimberley. We printed 1000 copies and within six months all were sold. It describes how I supported Griquas when they played at the De Beers Stadium and the KAC Stadium. Sometimes, on a cold winter's day, there'd be only 40 supporters, When the team improved you couldn't get a seat. That's typical of Kimberley supporters, even today. - Petros Augousti