When Neethling Fouché and every other DHL Stormers player opened the door to their hotel room in Belfast last week, on their beds there was a letter waiting for each of them.
The letter was from their Irish hosts Ulster before their Vodacom United Rugby Championship league game last weekend, which ended in a 38-38 draw.
“It was a letter showing sympathy for our loss of uncle Chippie (Solomon – their late team manager) with some photos of him. It shows how far his reach in the game was, and that the respect for him reached even to here in Ireland,” said Fouché.
As they prepare for their final league game against Cardiff Rugby this weekend, Fouché says there is a very clear focus of how they want to finish off this first tour since the passing of Solomon in April.
“You know, it’s been a rollercoaster of a season. It’s been one in which we’ve learnt a lot about ourselves as a team. We lost somebody very close to us and everybody dealt with it differently. Uncle Chippie is still fresh in our minds. As players we’re very aware that we are carrying his dreams for this team, and we must grab it for him,” said Fouché.
It’s not lost on Fouché what a remarkable turnaround this season has been for a team that started well, lost their way a bit in the middle, lost someone close to them, had to publicly speak out about the online abuse against some of their players, and which has now regrouped even stronger for the playoffs.
“I think what has stood out for me in this team is that we serve each other. When we’re at our best we’re the most unselfish in terms of how hard we work for each other. That’s what we’re proud of. We want to be a team that works for each other and fights for each other.
"The DHL Stormers will always have that romanticism and flair about our play, but I think what truly resonates with our supporters is our fight. You know, it’s tough out there for so many of our fans. It’s tough just to get up each day, to wonder about your next plate of food, the stress just to get to work with three taxis and a bus.
"I think our supporters can relate to us even more when we fight as a team when the odds are against us, because they have to fight every day of their lives.”
For Fouché personally, it’s exactly this balance he always takes into this stage of a season – when the high-pressure knockout games are looming.
“With these high pressure games coming up, it’s about keeping the balance. It’s a privilege to play rugby. Of course it’s your work and you want to do your best, but it should never bring about a paralysis in your performance.
"It must always go back to the joy of why you started playing this game. I try and take myself out of the bubble and keep it all in perspective. My responsibility is to prepare to the best of my ability and give my best on the day. The season’s hard work – the mundane things of daily routine – is what comes out now in the playoffs.”
Fouché also believes that the most successful South African team in Vodacom United Rugby Championship history has realised something critical as they chase a second trophy in this competition.
“I believe our ceiling is a lot higher than even we believe.”