Poenie was a true gentleman and a “one of a kind man”

The anecdotes that followed the passing on of the former Cape Town Spurs’ manager, Rene “Poenie” du Preez paints a picture of an exemplary “one of a kind” human being.

Du Preez’s gentleman persona, coupled with his kindness and caring nature, is truly what made him stand out from the rest, was the general theme of the stories relayed by his former players.

Du Preez became even more revered when he was appointed as manager of the legendary Cape Town Spurs side in 1973. Along with the coach Dougie Carelse and Rashied Khan, he landed the eagle by winning the League title in his debut season with his beloved Spurs, narrowly edging out Blue Bells by one point.

This inaugural League title was followed by many other successes, such as the Benson & Hedges Cup, and the Carling Black Label – all thanks to Du Preez’s ability to lure legendary players such as Neville ‘The Athlone Ghost’ Londt, Seraj Abass, the best centre-half of his era, back from Glenville United.

Londt was one of the sought after players of his generation and it was no wonder Poenie instigated a move worth R1382,59. Du Preez’s former captain Abass was understandably saddened when he was informed about the death of his former mentor. Abass recollects the traits which made Du Preez “one of a kind.”

“No matter how good you were, coach Poenie treated all his players in the same manner – with respect and dignity,” Abass told No Bones with Jones. “It didn’t matter what problems you faced, he was there for anyone and everyone to give his support and that made him very popular amongst the players. I would compare him to his predecessor the late Don Richards, you know.

“He had a shop in Lansdowne, the Coffee Pot, and before we would get in the combis to play away games we would make a turn at his shop and he would always allow us to take what we wanted without even paying. Yes, that place was our meeting spot where we gathered before our trips,” Abass stated.

Another Spurs stalwart, Clive Daries, added that Du Preez will forever be a part of his existence as he was the first professional coach who signed him when he was a 17-year-old youngster.

“In fact, I never signed and remember my mother still signing the forms,” Daries told our website. 
“I think it was also through the influence of the former owner and manager of Glendene, Pettie Dollie. But Poenie was like a gentleman basically and also a father figure to me.

“Being a young man and still in school I know we used to leave on a Friday – by combi as we never went with the bus – we always used to stop at his shop there in Lansdowne and we used to fill the boot with sandwiches and all those things and goodies. He was just a fantastic individual. From a coaching point of view he wasn’t a demanding one but one of the best,” said Daries.

Meanwhile James ‘Yatagan’ George, who shared his versions of the impact Du Preez had on him as a player. George obviously named after the famous horse who won the Rothmans July in 1973 for his brut speed, also became the top scorer (20 goals) under Poenie during the South African Soccer Federation Professional League.

Yatagan was probably the closest to Du Preez of all the former Spurs players post his coaching career, acknowledging that Poenie shaped him into the man he is today.

“I am sure a lot of other players can attest to that,” George pointed out “He inculcated dignity, respect, integrity and humility in us and we still carry that up until today. Yes, it was not just about creating star players, but also exemplary individuals,” George further stated.

George recalls on a lighter one of their escapades on their trip to Curries Fountain which had Poenie and the guys in stitches. 

“We stayed at the Admiral hotel, the same place where Chiefs would also stay when they played in Durban… We regularly frequented Randalls Road, a chipping ranch, on a very busy road. The shop had a long corridor, and I can’t remember who it was, but someone dared me to run kaalgat in and out of the shop which I did much to the amusement of coach Poenie and the guys, you know. Streaking was mos the in-thing back then and I kept up with the trend as well,” George jokingly concluded.

Du Preez played football for Burnley and later joined Glenville and then Mother City, He also played cricket for Oakdale. He was also the sportswriter, and later sports editor for the Sunday Times Extra when he covered different sporting codes during the summer and winter seasons. He also gave Clement Du Plessis his break in journalism and their team did some ground breaking work together.

Du Preez was also well-known in the boxing fraternity and known as a ‘matchmaker’.

Du Preez (90) passed away on Monday at his home in Lyndon Crescent, Pinatti Estate after a long illness. He will be cremated at the Maitland Crematorium and Chapel at 08:30 in Maitland on Saturday (24 November). Du Preez is survived by his wife Sybil and two daughters, Michelle and Bridgette.