UCTRFC Old Boys – whatever happened to Adrian ‘Gouda’ Hewlett – Ikeys 1996-2003

Remember Adrian Hewlett, the hooker who was more of a lineout throwing blindside flank – with excellent thowing skills, as far as flanks go? Gouda was part of the legendary team that smashed the Maties in 2002 – a firm believer in the big forward runs hard at the opposition flyhalf tactic he was the nightmare of many an opposition number 10, but unfortunately also his own flyhalfs who often just had to wait their turn.

Name, Nickname:
Adrian Hewlett – Gouda

Played at varsity when, what positions and for what teams:

At the club 1996- 2003, played  1^st XV 1999 – 2003.

Where are you now and what are you doing :

Still in Cape Town, married to Mandy, and living in the somewhat hippy republic of Hout Bay. Now having to work for a living and am running a marketing services company – The Habari Group who currently sponsor the U20’s. www.habarigroup.com

Best varsity rugby memory:

Too many to mention, but a couple include beating Maties on the return leg of intervarsity at Groote Schuur in 2002. Tours to Zimbabwe and then UK to play against Oxford and Cambridge. Packing down at hooker with an 18 year old Ross Geldenhuys (Ed: now Lions S14, thanks to Ad’s mentorship),  making his 1^st XV debut against Rudolph Bosch (playing for Cambridge), who had 80 Currie cup caps for Boland to his name…and watching him eat Bosch as we went on to demolish Cambridge.

I was renowned for:

Rampaging runs, standing off the ruck for more crash ball to the irritation of the backline..and for being varsities most accurate line out thrower in living memory. (possibly a wild exaggeration)

Best thing about UCT rugby:

The people, the style of rugby and the network of friends and contacts you make up over the years. It is certainly not the drainage or matches played in a howling wet Black South Easter.

Any guys you are still in touch with:

Dobbo, for my sins. Anthony Roberts who calls from somewhere in the bush now and then,  most unfortunately UCT’s most selfish centre ever Phil Baier, and many more. Not too forget the club hopping slut Neil Ellard. Luckily Ryan, the vanilla gorilla, Plumb tends to leave me alone.

Do you follow the UCT Ikey Tigers and the Club:

Not as much as I should. I’m still too young to not feel like I could be playing…so admittedly tend to miss many matches I should be watching. But do keep in touch with the club and what the teams are up to.

For more Old Boy stories, click here

Let’s have your story.
send  your info to ikeytigers@gmail.com subject: UCTRFC Old Boys and we’ll get it online pronto.