Fourie praises Pote for impact

Hawies Fourie, coach of the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, on Friday thanked outgoing assistant coach Pote Human for his contribution to the Wellington side, after Human decided to step down from his role.

The 66-year-old Human joined the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers as forwards coach ahead of the 2025 Carling Currie Cup season.

Before joining the Kavaliers, Human coached the Major League Rugby (MRL) side Houston SaberCats from 2021, after departing from the Vodacom Bulls at the end of the COVID-19-interrupted 2020 season.

Human’s appointment as Kavaliers forwards coach played an instrumental role in the Kavaliers qualifying for last year’s Carling Currie Cup semi-finals.

A feat that Boland achieved for the first time in the professional era of the sport, with Fourie describing Human’s contribution as priceless.

“It was not an easy decision for Pote to make, considering he had been living in the United States of America for the last three to four years, away from his wife and family who reside in Pretoria and missing out on seeing his grandchildren grow up,” Fourie explained.

“Ahead of him joining us here at Boland last season, he had only been back in the country for about two weeks when I gave him a call and asked if he would be interested in joining us here ahead of the Currie Cup.

“I recall asking him on a Friday, and the following Tuesday he started working with us as an assistant.

“We will be forever grateful for the time that we had him as coach, but I fully understand as to why had to make the decision to move back to Pretoria to be with his family.

“In about a month’s time he will be turning 67, and I can imagine at that age it takes a lot from someone to be away from family for long periods but still be as hard-working and committed to a team as he has been.”

Of the contribution that Human leaves at the Kavaliers and how he will be missed, Fourie adds: “He made a huge difference in our team, especially when it comes to the mindset of our forwards, and as previously mentioned, he is extremely hard-working and sets the tone for what he wants from his forwards.

“He is someone who commands a lot of respect. When he spoke, everyone listened. We will miss him, and the example that he set as a coach was priceless.

“For a long time, he has been a very successful coach, and he knows how to get the best out of his players.

“We will miss the knowledge and insights he brought to our team environment. It was a blessing to have him with us for the past 18 months.

“We wish him every success with his future endeavours.”

Featured image: Sanlam Boland Kavaliers head coach Hawies Fourie (in front) with Pote Human, assistant coach, at a training session in Wellington. Photo credit: Boland Rugby Media/Ernest Kilowan