Young Barney in action.
Known ubiquitously as Barney and later advanced to Barney the Boomslang following the infamous “tour of the snake” to Zim in 2000, Neil Barnard was known for his deadly accurate line-out throwing, solid scrummaging and little else on the field.
There are some that would say his greatest contribution was in keeping average lengths of fines meetings to an impressive 2 hours and contributing to the financial success of the UCT FRC pub.
Name / Nickname: Neil Barnard / Barney, Boomslang
Played at varsity when, what positions and for what teams:
Played Hooker (a wise move after a disastrous meeting with Cade Simpson as the opposing prop at 1st trials u21)
Member of the all conquering u21 sides lead by Ryan Plumb, Craig Mason. I had the fortune/misfortune to play almost 5 years with Dave Rickets. At UCTRFC 1997, 1998, 1999, 200, 2001, 2002.
Where are you now and what are you doing?:
I’m currently in Australia working to specialise in emergency medicine. Some time at varsity was spent studying more than UCT RFC events through the bottom of a beer glass
Best varsity rugby memory?:
The tour of the snake and my fateful meeting with the Vanilla Gorilla (Ryan Plumb)as an impressionable 17 year old
“I was renowned for”:
In 2002 I played in every senior team over the course of a single season
Any guys you are still in touch with?:
As many as possible
Do you follow the UCT Ikey Tigers and the Club?:
Absolutely!
Let’s have your story.
send us your info to ikeytigers@gmail.com – subject UCTRFC Old Boys and we’ll get it online pronto.
