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The Next Level
The Next Level
Rob Opie is a Brand Strategist, Author and 'Game Changer' to organizations, sports teams and individuals
We all have all inner desire to reach 'the next level' of performance, growth and contribution. No matter what profession one may choose in life, definite patterns of human greatness exist. In his weekly 'Game Changer Column', Rob shares some of the insights, innovation and inspiration of the great champions of business, sport and life.
Game Changer Number Seventeen: 'A Spirit of Abundance'
Watching Schalk Burger, at age 32, recently lead the Springboks out to a full-house Ellis Park was something special. It shows that the great champions never stop believing. Their realm of possibility lives on despite some of life's greatest challenges.
Tipped to become the Springbok captain on the retirement of John Smit, Schalk Burger had the world at his feet - except he participates in a game where injuries are part and parcel of the game!
Schalk's story is one that legends are made of - having come back from a potentially career ending neck injury to be part of Jake White's World Cup winning team in 2007. Game after game he put his body on the line and gave it his all. But, it was a bout of injuries, starting with a knee injury in 2012 that was to really test his mettle. A back scan revealed a cyst on his spine which needed to be drained. It was during the draining operation that Schalk contracted a hospital bug which led to bacterial meningitis placing him in isolation for 5 days. Schalk was engaged in his fiercest battle yet - the battle for his life.
Most people believed that this time, it was the end of the road for this legendary Springbok talisman. But, Schalk was not having any of it. Doctors had told him he would never play rugby again. Burger refused to take that verdict to heart. Instead, he took it as a challenge and climbed back on the horse. Remarkably he'd found his way back into Heyneke Meyer's Bok squad, coming off the bench at Newlands to inspire a second half driven victory over the Wallabies. Six months later he delivered another 'Man of the Match' performance at Twickenham.
The Incredible Schalk was back - earning him the Laureus World Comeback of the Year award in 2015. And in July 2015 he became the 55th Springbok captain - leading from the front against the All Blacks.
Every sport loving South African knows that his recognition at the recent Laureus Awards was not solely about his come- back story, but more about his humble way - from rugby great to human great. Schalk plays and lives the game right.
A great South African who believes that nothing is impossible.
"Before I got injured and ill - rugby played a massive part in what I was and what I did. It dominated life. After that life got put into perspective for me." Schalk Burger
It seems that the greater they become - the more humble the great champions become. Behind it lies 'the spirit of abundance'. In an abundant world - opportunities abound and the focus is never lacking, but rather the profusion that is possible.
And a belief that there will always be another wave.
* For more insight, innovation and inspiration please visit https://www.thegameplan.co.za. Rob can be contacted at robopie@thegameplan.co.za.