Globetrotter would reset radar on home

His story has an all-too-familiar ring. It's the one about the recently retired player who is yet to determine a clear path to rugby's afterlife.

At least Thinus Delport's career still has some kick in it. Well, kind of.

"A friend asked me to get involved at the Stourbridge Saxons as player/assistant coach but I see it as more assistant coach/player," Delport said from Cheltenham, where he now resides with his wife Laura and son Ruan.

"I look after the backs. Now and then I play. We're in the National One, which is effectively the third tier. I'll see where it takes me but I have to learn. I've seen enough coaches who have been fired mid-term," he said with trepidation.

After a distinguished career with the Lions and the Cats, Delport joined Gloucester in 2002. He was selected for the 2003 World Cup and escaped much of the criticism in the wake of the Rudolf Straeuli-inspired misadventure.

Delport teamed up with Worcester Warriors in mid-2004 and became something of a cult hero en route to playing 110 matches.

"I was pleasantly surprised after arriving in England. South Africans tend to have London as major point of reference but I didn't go to a London club. I found the people friendly and helpful. It was easy to adjust. I just had to improve my English very quickly."

He slipped into the lifestyle the countryside offers and some of its customs. "I love the traditions, especially hunting. The foxes scurry around the Cotswolds. To watch and sometimes participate in pheasant hunting has been good."

In a breathtaking change of scenery, Delport left the countryside for Kobelco Steelers in Kobe in 2008. "Japan was a little different," he observed with a giggle.

"In Japan, you have to be seen to be working hard. It was quite intense. All the teams are owned by companies so you do an office job or work in a factory and you play rugby," he said.

"I was engaged when I moved there. Laura came over for six- to-eight-week spells. The first year was interesting because everything was so different but the second year was tough.

"It was an unbelievable experience and I would recommend it to anybody. Japan was never on my radar as a tourist destination but it gave me the opportunity to learn a bit of the language and culture. I made new friends. I'm glad I went."

When his contract expired he moved back to England. "My wife is English and I'm crazy about Cheltenham," he said.

Delport is in the throes of exploring his options. "I've got a private licence (to fly helicopters). The plan was to do it commercially so that I could fly in South Africa and England but with the arrival of the little one I had to put it on the backburner. I've got over 100 flying hours but I need another 100."

He has also tried his hand at the fickle world of rugby punditry. "I've done some work for Sky Sports with Michael Lynagh and Sean Fitzpatrick but so far by invitation only.

"I'd love to come back to SA. It will, however, have to be for something concrete in coaching or maybe as a rugby pundit. I can't expect my wife to pack her bags for anything less."