Twins propel South African title charge
(IRB.COM) Monday 8 June 2009
Twin brothers Robert (left) and Sias Ebersohn are playing in tandem for South Africa in JapanTen. The number on Sias Ebersohn's jersey and the scant number of points not scored by him and twin brother Robert in South Africa's opening 36-10 win in Japan against Fiji on Friday.
The older brother by just 30 seconds, Sias scored 21 points in their IRB TOSHIBA Junior World Championship opener - one try, two conversions, three penalty goals and one drop goal - to earn himself the second highest tally in the tournament so far and also become only the second person to register a 'full house' in JWC history. He even upstaged his captain and brother, who crossed for a single try.
For much of the past year Robert has been a full-time Sevens player in South Africa, helping Paul Treu's side to its first ever World Series title, but the two still live together. They also went to the same school and play rugby for the same team, the Free State Cheetahs, but somehow they have escaped any problems often encountered through sibling rivalry.
“We don’t play in the same position, he is the fly half and I used to play number 8," said Robert.
"Then, when I was 18, I moved to centre so we have never had a rivalry. Instead, we inspire each other to play better.”
In fact, both on and off the pitch the relationship borders on the telepathic. Away from the game they finish each other's sentences with wry grins and, when playing in tandem for their country, the passes and lines of running are unusually 'in sync'.
Influential father figure
“We have a good link and maybe some special understanding, but that is because we’ve spent a lot of time together and not in a psychic way," said Sias. "The teams always see us as a good combination. I always pass to him when everyone is tackling me so he can score a try.”
The two started playing rugby when they were just six years old at Free State's famous rugby nursey Grey College, but even before that rugby was in their blood - both their father and grandfather were also rugby men and Greys Old Boys.
“We were privileged to have our father on our side, specifically in primary school. Then, he taught us more than the school coaches did," said Sias.
"As we get older the game changes so other people know more than him but he gave us the good foundation and other coaches just went further from that foundation."
“Also, it’s good to go back home where you’ve got someone to talk to," echoed Robert.
"He understands and he can have an opinion on your game and can give us advice. It is not always the best advice but at least he knows he can relate to what we are saying. He is always our best supporter, but also our critic."
South Africa's next opponents are Italy, who were beaten by France 43-13 in their opening Pool C match, and the twins are two of only six players retained from the Fiji game.
Different tastes
“I think it’s a good thing playing together with Sias in the same team. I know what his best is because I've played with him since we were [“born,” laughs Sias].. six. So when he is not good I'm not afraid to go to him and say, ‘this is not your best, you can play better than this’.
“With other guys, I’m a bit afraid to say that because you don’t really know them that much. And when I am not my best, Sias will criticise me positively. I can trust him, and I can tell him what I won’t tell anyone else,” said the captain.
Sias agreed: “Against Fiji we struggled a bit at the beginning because it was the first match of the World cup. As we went on, we managed to get more rhythm and our condition will be better in the next games.”
Rugby aside, however, the two young men are quite different: Sias loves the great outdoors - fishing, hunting and mountain biking - while Robert prefers to relax at home; Robert loves chocolate, Sias cannot stand it; Robert guards his possessions proudly, Sias is more open and sharing. So it's not all happy families then..
“Sometimes we fight, a big, big fight," and the prospect is baffling as the two heads nod in agreement.
