Step aside you Brownlees rugby has the Claassens
The Claassens brothers are set to go head-to-head on the opening day of the season, with Bath scrum-half Michael up against Worcester fullback Errie at Sixways.
And the duo said they would not be where they are today without the brotherly rivalry that has spurred them on since growing up in South Africa.
It is a rivalry that has resulted in a journey to the other side of the world for the pair of them – with Springbok caps along the way for Michael.
The brothers, whose birthdays are just a year-and-a-day apart, said healthy competition has propelled them to try to keep fitter and stronger than the other. And it is a rivalry that has existed in all the sports they have tried, from the rugby pitch to the golf fairways.
“With Michael being a year younger than me, I remember telling him that he could play golf with me only if he went to collect the balls,” said the 30-year old Errie. “He refused. Like all scrum-halves, he is very stubborn!”
Michael said diplomatically: “I’d say we were equally competitive. Growing up we were both always trying to be the best. We’d play all sports and we’d always be playing cricket in the yard and be fighting and fooling around.
“When we were older we’d get back home and always train together. Back then Errie was the fitter and stronger brother.”
Errie always played in the back three, while Michael – save for one season during his school days at outside centre – has consistently played at No.9.
After playing alongside one another for Kroonstad High School and Bloemfontein University, Errie was invited by Rotherham coach Andre Bester to be part of a South African influx there.
“I thought I’d come over for a year,” said Errie. “Seven years later I’m still here.”
Back home, Michael enjoyed a successful spell with the Free State Cheetahs which resulted in eight caps for the Springboks.
But in search of a fresh challenge, he followed his brother to the Northern Hemisphere in 2006. While Michael went straight to the Premiership with Bath, it took Errie six years to make it into the top-flight following moves to London Welsh and then, in 2011, to the Warriors.
Michael said: “I was so happy when Errie got a deal at last in the Premiership. I knew how much he deserved it.” Michael even found himself cheering on Errie when his brother scored a fine solo try against Bath in last month’s JP Morgan 7s.
“I enjoyed that,” said Michael. “I always support Bath but it’s good to see your brother do well. I’m so keen for him to succeed that I get nervous when I watch him.”
Last year, injury prevented Errie from playing at The Rec. But the two did square up against one another at Sixways – although they barely touched each other.
“I don’t think there was any real contact between the two of us,” said Michael. “It was only the second time we’d played against each other – the previous time was a trial match years ago.
“I stayed over with Errie in Worcester after the match. He is quite a relaxed guy and although Bath had lost at Worcester, he didn’t say anything about it.”
Michael admitted that playing on the same side as his brother at a professional club would be something of a dream. And he believes it is still an outside possibility.
“In professional rugby, you never know where you are going to be next,” he said. “The chances are quite slim, but you never know – I’d love it.”
As for Errie, he is just happy to be playing rugby in the same league as the brother he once tried to boss around on the driving range.
“As kids, we had an outdoor lifestyle and sport is what we lived for. We always had a dream of playing rugby for a living – and look where we are. We are so lucky.”
TOM BRADSHAW
