Strauss loses beard

The big beard that Lions captain Josh Strauss had grown while he waited for his girlfriend to relocate from Cape Town was forcefully removed by teammate Wikus van Heerden after Saturday's 42-16 Currie Cup final victory against the Sharks.

“They caught me offside,” said an almost unrecognisable Strauss.

“They guys said they were going to do it, but after nothing happened in the dressing room I relaxed and thought they would let it go.”

As the team sat down for their post-match meal at Monte Casino on Saturday, the Lions skipper noticed that some of his teammates were laughing and, before he realised what was happening, Van Heerden, equipped with a razor, had snuck up behind him and cut away a huge chunk of the famous facial hair.

“I couldn't argue because the damage was already done. I simply had to be a sport.”

Although he was slightly upset that the one thing that made him unique was no longer there, he also admitted that it felt good to have a more tidy appearance.

Not that the clean-shaven look will last very long.

“I've already started growing my beard for the Super Rugby season.”

Strauss would not be told that the loss of such a huge amount of hair would have consequences of Biblical proportions as it did for Samson.

“I guess it is one of those things that once it works for you, you have to stick with it,” he quipped.

The Lions spent most of their first day as Currie Cup champions at the casino signing autographs as hundreds of fans made use of the opportunity to get close to their heroes.

“The support was overwhelming and we are realising just how important the trophy is to all our fans.

GOING

GOING

GONE

Comments