Here come the Bokke ... to a classroom near you

SPRINGBOK player Norman Jordaan hung up his boots last year to become a teacher at a government school on the Cape Flats.

The former Blue Bulls scrumhalf could soon be joined in school by several other retired Springbok and provincial rugby players who want to revive physical education at schools in the Western Cape.

There is a dire shortage of physical training teachers across South Africa.

Details of the initiative, which is expected to create opportunities for unemployed rugby players, will be disclosed at a conference for about 300 teachers at the College of Cape Town on March 8.

Other Boks who are keen to join are Adrian Jacobs, Wayne Julies, Gavin Passens and McNeil Hendricks.

Quintin Daniels, a former Western Province back who is now a policeman, said he was ready to help part time.

Similar schemes for schools in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng are expected to be announced soon.

Ismail Teladia, an adviser for the Metropole South education district in the Western Cape, said the plan was to offer selected players a week-long training programme.

"We don't have enough qualified physical education teachers," said Teladia, adding that the department had a partnership with the South African Rugby Legends Association, a body whose objective was to develop rugby.

"At some point, we'd like the schools, if they [the players] are obviously doing an excellent job, to employ them. We are starting it as a pilot project in Cape Town and then taking it to the rest of the country."

Former Springbok hooker Dale Santon said the Legends were also looking at securing the services of former Proteas and Bafana Bafana players, as well as former national athletes and netball players.

"What an incentive it is for a schoolboy to be coached by a Springbok or to be taught by one of them," said Santon.

Jordaan, 38, who lives in Parow, teaches life orientation to grades 8 and 9 and Afrikaans to Grade 9 at Spine Road High in Mitchells Plain. He also coaches rugby for 90 minutes a day.

He played for the Boks in 2002 before going to France, where he spent seven years playing for several clubs, including Toulon.

Jordaan, who has a sports science degree from the University of the Western Cape, said he was happy teaching at the school because it gave him a chance "to give something back to the community".

Hendricks, 40, from Malmesbury in the Western Cape, said he was unemployed and teaching physical education lessons would suit him well.

Julies, 35, who is a professional rugby coach for the Sir Lowrians Rugby Club in Sir Lowry's Pass in Somerset West, was equally enthusiastic about the project.

"What makes it exciting is the fact that they are using Springboks and ex-professional rugby players. I am definitely up for the task," he said.

Daniels, 45, a warrant officer based at a police station in Strand, said he was willing to offer his services because school children are willing to listen to you as "you are their role model".

govenderp@sundaytimes.co.za