This Leopard won't change its spots

'I'm not bitter about it'

Anton Leonard, named to lead the Blue Bulls in the 2005 Currie Cup Final against the Cheetahs, will run out as a player onto a rugby field for the last time at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

He has called it quits on a senior first class career spanning a decade and including more than 150 provincial games.

In all that time this genial giant has not changed one bit ... despite having achieved almost everything a South African rugby player could hope for. He remains, to this day, the unassuming, down to earth character with an almost boyish shyness.

And he is indeed a giant, both in rugby terms and as a human. Yes, at 1,91m and 112kg he qualifies as a person of great size. He is also a person of extraordinary power, significance, importance magnitude and power.

His teammates call him "Luiperd" (Leopard). And even that nickname he fits perfectly ... he has not changed [his spots] since he first started making his mark in provincial rugby back in 1995.

Captain courageous, as so many refer to the Bulls No.8, is about to complete a remarkable professional rugby career, and is still producing the same committed performances that have become his trade mark.

Despite playing in only two Tests (back in 1999) and not being considered for inclusion by an assortment of Springbok selectors since, he remains an icon in South African rugby.

This hardworking loose forward, who is equally powerful on attack and defence, first emerged at the SWD Eagles in the mid 1990s.

He also played Super 12 rugby with the Stormers in 1999 and in all 11 matches for the Bulls in 2000.

Called up to the Springbok squad in 1999, Leonard made an impressive debut against the Wallabies in Brisbane and retained his spot for that year's World Cup campaign.

But there are many - and not just in Pretoria - who feel he was perhaps hard done by the national selectors.

But he carries no grudges.

"I'm not bitter about it," he said in his usual breviloquent manner.

It can be said that he was always up against a host of world class loose forward at the time and there are other great loose forwards in South Africa who had suffered the same fait over the years.

His two Tests for the Springboks hardly tell the story of a man who will be remembered as one of the legends of Blue Bulls and South African rugby.

"I have always wanted to play for the Springboks but there were good players at the same time. When I was first selected, I had to compete against guys like Ruben Kruger, Rassie Erasmus and André Venter and now there are just as good players around.

"If I didn't play for the Bulls and experience the feeling of a Currie Cup then it may have been a factor, but not now," said Leonard.

"I really have achieved everything that I've wanted to in rugby and am thankful for the fans and people of Pretoria who have accepted me so easily as a Blue Bull. You must remember that I wasn't a Blue Bull to begin with."

The fact is that Leonard already has an amazing three Currie Cup winners medals (two as captain) and can add a fourth (third as captain) to that on Saturday.

He has two Springbok caps, which is more than hundreds of thousands of South African rugby players can say.

And his 10 years in provincial rugby has seen him play in well over 150 first class matches.

Leonard met current mentor Heyneke Meyer in George, and decided to move to the Blue Bulls in 1999. He does admit that it was initially difficult to settle in the capital, but that he fell in love with the place so much that it will be difficult to leave, especially after six years of success.

"My wife stayed in George for 35 years, so it was difficult for her to move away from the place. But we slowly started to love Pretoria. It's unbelievable when you walk through the city and people stop to talk rugby. They're friendly and they love rugby.

"I've fallen in love with Pretoria and it will hold a special place in my heart."

Leonard has several qualities that few know about. A champion sprinter in school, he once was part of a provincial relay sprint team with former Free State winger Jan-Harm van Wyk. Running a 100m time of 11 seconds flat at school, it is easy to see why his speed is so deceptive. And on top of this he was also a master boxer, having achieved provincial age group colours for Eastern Province.

"When I grew up I had to decide between wrestling and boxing and I chose boxing. If I remember right, I had 27 fights of which I won 25 by knockout," Leonard jokes. "Later on it became too much, so I chose rugby."

When Leonard finally hangs up his boots after Saturday, he will concentrate on a couple of business ventures. He will be opening a coffee shop in George and is also dabbling with a guesthouse in Oudtshoorn.

Next year he will be helping out with the coaching duties at Outeniqua Hoërskool as well.

A statistical look at Anton Leonard:
Position: No.8
Height: 1,91m
Weight: 112kg
Date of Birth: 31/5/1974
Place of Birth: Durban
Provincial Debut: 1995 (SWD vs EP)
Provincial Caps: 160+
Super 12 Debut: 1999 (Stormers vs Bulls)
Super 12: Caps 54
Test Debut: 1999 (SA vs Argentina)
Test Caps: 2 (1 try)

Squads Leonard played for:
2005:
Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Premier Division)
Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Qualifying Round)
Bulls (Super 12)
2004:
Bulls (Super 12)
Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Premier Division)
2003:
Blue Bulls (Currie Cup - Premier Div.)
Blue Bulls (Cup)
2002:
Blue Bulls (Currie Cup)
Bulls (Super 12)
2001:
Blue Bulls (Currie Cup)
Bulls (Super 12)
2000 :
Blue Bulls (Currie Cup)
Northern Bulls (Super 12)
1999:
South Africa (IRB Rugby World Cup)
South Africa (Tri-Nations)
South Western Districts Eagles (Currie Cup)
Stormers (Super 12)
1998:
SWD Pres Shield A (President's Shield)
South Western Districts Eagles (Currie Cup)
South Western Districts Eagles (Cup)
1997:
South Western Districts Eagles (Currie Cup)
1996:
South Western Districts Eagles (Currie Cup)
SWD Pres Shield A (President's Shield)
1995:
SWD Pres Shield A (Other Provincial Games)