Andy Davies at the World Cup Final
 

Andy Davies obviously took a surprise guest to the Rugby World Cup Final. Who might it be?
 


 

They both meet up after the game with the South African coach Nick Mallet.


 

Nick Mallett Profile

Nicholas Vivian Haward Mallett was born on October 30, 1956 in Heartfordshire, England, taking a middle name from his mother Vivienne. He came to Africa when he was only six weeks old when his family re-located to Zimbabwe where his father Anthony took up a post at Headmaster of Peterhouse School, just outside of Harare.At the age of seven Nick came to South Africa when his father accepted a new post of Headmaster at Bishop's School in Cape Town. His father didn't play rugby, distinguishing himself rather at cricket, both for the MCC and Kent, and squash.

Nick played his first game of rugby shortly after at the age of eight for the Western Province Preparatory School Under Nines. His position even then was Eighthman and it wasn't long till he marked himself as a player of considerable promise. He attended St Andrew's College in Grahamstown before moving on to the University of Cape Town (UCT) where he qualified for a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English and history (1975 - 77) followed by a Higher Diploma of Education (1978).

By this time Nick had already established a pattern where throughout his education he excelled in both sporting and academic fields. At St Andrew's he played 1st team rugby and cricket (a bowling allrounder) while also excelling in both athletics (field events and middle distance) and swimming (Backstroke and Freestyle). He continued his sporting success at UCT where he played 1st XV rugby for three years winning great plaudits as a strong and skilful Eighthman.

Mallett, who won two Springbok caps as an Eighthman in 1984, becoming the 541st Springbok when he made his debut against South America and Spain at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on October 20, scoring a try in the Springboks 32 - 15 victory.

He Played regularly for Western Province between 1977 and 1985, winning the Currie Cup in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985.

Mallett, who has 15 years experience as a first class coach, has coached the senior Boland Provincial team with great success so far this season and the province currently lies in fourth place on the Bankfin Currie Cup log. He was also incumbent coach of the Emerging Springboks. He was assistant to Andre Markgraaff during South Africa's highly successful tour to Argentina, France and Wales at the end of 1996. In 1994/95 he was senior coach at False Bay Rugby Club in Cape Town. Between 1982 and 1992 he played and coached in Italy and France.He spent one season with Rovigo in Italy before moving on to France where he was instrumental in leading both St Claude and Boulogne Paris to promotion into the first division of the French Rugby Club Championships.

Source: South Africa Rugby Union

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