Retired goalkeeper Hans Vonk has outlined how the 1998 World Cup came to be the launchpad of his international career with Bafana Bafana.
Vonk was born in South Africa but then left for Holland where he grew up and where his family still resides to this day.
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Yet when Bafana Bafana were preparing for their debut appearance at the World Cup, he was discovered at Dutch club SC Heerenveen by KickOff Magazine's founding editor Mark Gleeson.
Vonk's call-up alongside Pierre Issa – whose ties were also that he was born in South Africa but lived in Europe – ahead of the World Cup created friction and was referred to as a palooka in some sections of the media.
"My entrance to Bafana Bafana was not overnight," Vonk tells KickOff.
"It happened over a year, and it started with Mark Gleeson coming over to Holland for an interview in 1996 and this was the first time I got together with someone from South Africa.
"When South Africa qualified for the World Cup everything then came to life for me, Pierre Issa, and a couple of other guys who were invited for a camp after the 1998 AFCON in preparation for the World Cup.
"It was when I was chosen for the '98 World Cup that everyone became aware of me and started asking questions about where I was suddenly coming from.
"I then met [Danny] Jordaan after he came to visit me about all administration around me, so it was quite a long journey before I was picked.
"With regards to the reaction from South Africa at that time, there wasn't so much of the internet and a only a few newspapers.
"I didn't feel all that negative energy about me if there was any about me or Pierre.
"I know we were called palookas or something like that, but it didn't affect me as it didn't get to me.
"If it would have, then I could have only made a promise to do my best on the field to make a difference and prove that I can add something and I think I did my best for eight years in the national team.
"I even came to finish my career in South Africa, so I hope people look at me as someone who gave something to the game in South Africa.
"I was aware that I probably took the place of someone who deserved it more than me since I never played in the qualifiers, but I never had control of all these things, so it never got to me.
"Then after our second game at the World Cup when we drew 1-1 so many people were happy that we could compete with a European team.
"I had never gotten so many hugs and kisses from black people in my life ever before which was fantastic despite being new for me.
"All these things made it special, and I should have written a book, but didn't, though the memories remain.
"After the experience of being in the national team, I then took isiXhosa lessons when I started living in South Africa because I wanted to understand the language of the people.
"The great part about being in the national team was that when we got on the field the different cultures meant nothing as we had one common goal.
"After the '98 World Cup, I stayed on in the national team and I remember us playing in Congo where the people were not all that friendly at all just like in Cape Verde where we beat them at home.
"When we qualified for the 2002 World Cup after an away game in Burkina Faso, I was pulled away for doping while hugging my teammates in celebration and it just became hectic," says Vonk who now resides in Cape Town where he has business interests.
"I have always wanted to live in South Africa and do business between Holland and South Africa because Holland is where my family is, and I live in Cape Town which is the best place for me.
"So, for a long-time, football provided the connection for me between Holland and Africa but since Ajax Cape Town doesn't exist anymore for the past couple of years there had to be some venture that keeps me here.
"I had to start something for myself and one of my other passion is golf so I started a travel agency in golf, wine, and wildlife.
"I work with individuals, groups, or corporates and we target a big market in Holland.
"On my part, I do the marketing with my huge network in Holland built from my football background and work with a business partner based in Hout Bay who does the logistics in accommodation and travelling.
"Hans Vonk.travel is the name of the agency.
"For now, I have no interest in coaching or management.
"I can't be a football agent as well because if you look at the talent in South Africa it is not where it should be to make a difference in Europe.
"In other words, I don't think there is enough talent that can make it in Holland or anywhere in Europe at the moment," says Vonk.
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