our speakers list for full profiles.

Prosport International represents a peerless stable of top-class MC’s, speakers, and current &
former star athletes, carefully selected for their ability to engage, entertain, motivate and
inform.
From Rugby World Cup winners like John Smit & Bryan Habana, to Olympic medalists Ryk
Neethling & Elana Meyer and top-class coaches Gordon Igesund, Nick Mallett & Jake White,
Prosport International delivers quality speakers to add flair and gravity to any event.
They’ll relate their experience at the frontline of international sport to your staff or clients via
inspirational stories or miraculous tales of recovery.
They’ll show how the drama of the last-gasp try or split-second snap-shot can be applied to
the world of business and beyond. Take advantage of these global leaders and their life
lessons by booking a Prosport International speaker for your event, today.
To book one of our speakers,
please email
[email protected]
Or
Call 021 702-7880
LET THE
MC’s LEAD THE
CONVERSATION
Dan Nicholl
Dan Nicholl is a MC, broadcaster and writer
based in Johannesburg. He is one of South
Africa’s most prolific MCs, working across
Southern Africa and the world as an indemand host of black tie dinners, awards
ceremonies, charity auctions and event
launches.
Areas of expertise:
Breakfasts, Business Dinners, Business
Seminars, Commentating, Events, Golf Days,
TV Punditry, Marketing Launches, MC, OneOn-Ones with MC, Q&A
Tank Lanning
Tank Lanning is a former Western Province
rugby player who has had a hugely
successful career in the media industry since
retirement from the game.
Tank’s skills lie in interviewing some of the
biggest names in sport and making them
feel at ease in front of a crowd.
Areas of Expertise:
Business Dinners, MC, Q&A, Events, General
Speaking, Golf Days, Industry Talks, Sports
Marketing
Vanessa Haywood
Vanessa Haywood is an actress, model and
sport enthusiast.
Vanessa competed in South Africa: Survivor
Maldives and has since carved out a
reputation as a tough-as-nails sports
competitor, including completing the
gruelling ABSA Cape Epic Cycling Race in
2012.
Areas of expertise:
Launches, MC, Voice-overs, TV Punditry and
Motivational Speaking.
Ryan Botha
Ryan Botha is a professional footballer and
model. He has appeared in TV commercials
and regularly acts as an MC and
motivational speaker.
Areas of expertise:
General Speaking, Marketing Launches,
MC, Motivational Speaking, One-On-Ones
with MC, Q&A, Social Events, TV Punditry
Toks van der Linde
Toks van der Linde achieved fame as a well-known
Western Province and Springbok Prop and since his
retirement from the professional game, he has
carved out a hugely successful career as a TV host,
including hit shows ‘Oor die Kole’ and currently on
‘Toks en Tjops’.
He continues to MC at many corporate and social
functions and motivates audiences with his
inspirational message which he lives by – to never
give up and to live your life with the aim of making
a positive and visible difference.
Areas of expertise:
Business Dinners, MC, Q&A, Events, General
Speaking, Golf Days, Industry Talks, Short Speaking
Events, Sports Marketing and topical Speaking
Matthew Pearce
Matthew Pearce has become the new voice of
South African rugby commentating, regularly
bringing insight into Springbok Test matches both
locally and abroad.
An excellent MC, Matthew is the perfect fit for any
sporting event, from a sponsor’s golf day to a
corporate black-tie awards evening.
Areas of expertise:
Breakfasts, Business Dinners, Business Seminars,
Commentating, Events, Golf Days, TV Punditry,
Marketing Launches, MC, One-On-Ones with MC,
Q&A
HEAR IT FROM
THE
COACHES
Heyneke Meyer
Heyneke Meyer is the current coach of the
Springboks and has previously coached the
Leicester Tigers and Blue Bulls.
A highly respected coach locally and
abroad, Meyer is an excellent speaker and
motivator in the corporate market.
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Business Talks, General
Speaking, Leadership & Teamwork Advice,
Leadership-Related Topics, Motivational
Speaking, Q&A
Gordon Igesund
Gordon Igesund is the current head coach
of Bafana Bafana.
Igesund is a record-breaking coach in South
Africa, having become the only man to
coach four different top-flight teams to the
PSL title.
Igesund is a highly captivating speaker.
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Business Talks, General
Speaking, Leadership & Teamwork Advice,
Leadership-Related Topics, Motivational
Speaking, Q&A
Jake White
Nick Mallett
Jake White is a former Springbok rugby
coach and led the Springboks to the Rugby
World Cup title in 2007. White also coached
the u-21 Springbok side to victory in the U-21
Rugby Union World Cup in 2002.
White currently coaches the Brumbies in
Australia.
Nick Mallett is a former Springbok coach
and led the Springboks to a recordequalling 17 consecutive Test wins.
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Captains’
Dinners/Breakfasts, Experienced Public
Speaker, Leadership-Related Topics,
Motivational Speaking and Q&A
Areas of Expertise:
Business Dinners, MC, Motivational Speaking,
TV Punditry, Q&A, School Talks, Team
Building, and Technical Analysis.
Mallett also coached the Italian national
team and has recently settled back in South
Africa as a TV pundit for SuperSport.
Robbie Fleck
Dick Muir
Robbie Fleck is the current backline coach
at Western Province and The Stormers.
Dick Muir is the Managing Director of the
Investec International Rugby Academy SA.
He had a successful playing career at
Western Province and earned 31 Springbok
caps in the process.
Muir is fondly remembered for his successful
tenure as head coach of the Sharks from
2005 to 2007.
He earned 5 Springbok caps during his
career and also served as Springbok
assistant coach under Peter de Villiers from
2008 to 2011.
Areas of expertise:
Q&A, School Talks, Technical Analysis, TV
Punditry
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Commentating,
General Speaking, Golf Days, Sponsor
Launches, Topical Speaking
John Mitchell
Steve Komphela
John Mitchell is a former All Blacks and Lions
Rugby coach, known for his no-nonsense
coaching style.
Steve Komphela is a former South African
footballer. He is the current manager of PSL
club Free State Stars.
Mitchell is a captivating speaker and has
recently been featuring as a pundit on
SuperSport.
Areas of Expertise:
Business Seminars, Events, Motivational
Speaking, and Q&A.
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Business Talks, General
Speaking, Leadership & Teamwork Advice,
Leadership-Related Topics, Motivational
Speaking, Q&A and Experienced Public
Speaker
John-Laffnie de Jager
Neil Tovey
John-Laffnie de Jager competed in 45 Grand Slams,
including two Finals and five Semi-Finals. Today he is
the South African Davis Cup-captain, Fed Cup
Captain and Olympic Tennis Coach.
Neil Tovey, a South African football legend,
cemented his place in the history books when he
captained Bafana Bafana to the African Cup of
Nations title in 1996.
As a World Team Tennis coach, he won the Overall
Coach of the Year-award three times in the last
four years. His vast international experience and
passion for continuous development, drives the
academy's approach.
Tovey is a Kaizer Chiefs legend and during his
career, he set several records for the club, including
most appearances at club level and most starts in a
season – 52 in the 1992 season. Tovey is a highly
entertaining motivational speaker and talks about
the similarities between being a successful
professional sportsman and the business world.
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Business Talks, General
Speaking, Leadership & Teamwork Advice,
Leadership-Related Topics, Motivational Speaking,
Q&A
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Business Talks, General
Speaking, Leadership & Teamwork Advice,
Leadership-Related Topics, Motivational Speaking,
Q&A
Gary Kirsten
Gary Kirsten has made the transition from one of the
best batsmen in international cricket to World Cup
winning coach with the Indian cricket team.
Kirsten is the current coach of the Proteas and has
already made a huge impact on the side, lifting them to
the number 1 team in all formats of the game.
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Captains’ Dinners/Breakfasts,
Experienced Public Speaker, Leadership-Related Topics,
Motivational Speaking and Q&A
Clive Barker
Clive Barker became a manager in the 1970s, coaching
numerous clubs in South Africa, including Durban
CityManning Rangers, AmaZulu and Santos. During his
club career he won two league championships and two
league cups. He was one of the first white managers in
the South African league.
He took over as manager of Bafana Bafana in 1994,
leading them to their only African Nations Cup title in
1996, with a 2-0 victory in the final against Tunisia. Under
his guidance South Africa qualified for their first ever
World Cup in 1998 in France.
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Business Talks, General Speaking,
Leadership & Teamwork Advice, Leadership-Related
Topics, Motivational Speaking, Q&A
THIS IS YOUR
CAPTAIN
SPEAKING
John Smit
John Smit is the most capped Springbok
rugby player of all time with 111 caps and
captained the Boks to Rugby World Cup
glory in 2007.
Smit was inducted into IRB Hall of Fame in
2011and currently plays his rugby in London
with Saracens.
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Business Talks,
Leadership & Teamwork Advice,
Motivational Speaking, Q&A, School Talks
Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith has captained the Proteas
since 2003 and has played over 100 Test
matches. During his tenure as Proteas
captain, he has led the team to the number
1 ranking in all three formats of the game.
Areas of expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Captains’
Dinners/Breakfasts, Leadership-Related
Topics, Q&A and Motivational Speaking
Corné Krige
Corné Krige is still known as one of the hardest men
to have ever donned the Green and Gold
Springbok jersey.
As a hugely successful captain at Western Province
and The Stormers, Krige went on to captain the
Springboks on 18 occasions and earned 39
Springbok caps in the process.
Areas of expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, MC, Technical Analysis,
topical speaking and Q&A.
Bob Skinstad
Bob Skinstad is one of the most recognizable faces
in South African sport, having had a glittering
career as a Western Province, Stormers and
Springbok player.
Skinstad captained the Springboks on 12 occasions
and since finishing his playing career, he has made
the successful transition into the media space,
including SuperSport commentating and radio
shows on KFM and 2Oceansvibe Radio.
Skinstad is an excellent MC and has some amazing
stories from his playing days.
Areas of expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, MC, Technical Analysis,
topical speaking and Q&A.
André Vos
André Vos is a former Springbok captain
who played as eighth man for Eastern
Province, Queensland Reds, The Cats, The
Lions and Harlequins until his retirement in
2007.
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Captains Breakfast,
Q&A, Motivational Speaking.
Gary Teichmann
Gary Teichmann played for his beloved
Sharks during his professional rugby career
and captained the Springboks between
1995 and 1999.
Teichmann earned 42 Springbok caps
during his illustrious career.
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Sports Conferences,
Golf Days, Q&A, Short Speaking Events and
Technical Analysis.
THESE
SPRINGBOK
LEGENDS
HAVE A GREAT STORY TO TELL
Joel Stransky
Breyton Paulse
Joel Stransky is most famous for scoring all of
South Africa's points, including the famous
dramatic winning drop goal, against New
Zealand in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.
Since his retirement from rugby, Stransky has
become a successful businessman and is
one of the most knowledgeable rugby
commentators on SuperSport.
Breyton Paulse is a former South African
rugby player, known for his lightning pace
and strength despite his light frame.
Areas of expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Captains’
Dinners/Breakfasts, Experienced Public
Speaker, Leadership-Related Topics,
Motivational Speaking, Q&A
Areas of expertise:
Business Dinners, MC, Q&A, Events, General
Speaking, Golf Days, Industry Talks,
Marketing Launches, Short Speaking Events,
Sports Marketing and topical speaking
Since his retirement from professional rugby,
Breyton has carved out a successful career
as a TV pundit on SuperSport and Toks en
Tjops.
Tiaan Strauss
Tiaan Strauss represented both South Africa
and Australia at International rugby.
Conrad Jantjes
Conrad Jantjes played for WP Rugby and
The Stormers throughout a successful
provincial career.
He earned 15 caps for the Springboks during
his career and also won the Rugby World
Cup representing Australia in 1999.
His success on the local scene saw him
represent the Springboks on 24 occasions.
Areas of expertise:
Q&A, Sports Marketing, Business Talks,
Anecdotal Speaking
Areas of Expertise:
Motivational Speaking, Q&A, Golf Days and
School Talks
OUR
OLYMPIC
MEDALLISTS
Ryk Neethling
Ryk Neethling is an Olympic Gold Medallist
and was part of the victorious 4×100m
freestyle swimming relay team at the 2004
Athens Olympics.
Since his retirement from professional
swimming, Ryk has established himself as a
successful businessman.
Areas of expertise:
Educational Talks, Motivational and Topical
Speaking, Q&A, TV Punditry
Elana Meyer
Elana Meyer is a former South African longdistance runner. She won the silver medal at
the 1992 Summer Olympics in the 10,000m
event, and held the world half marathon
record for 21 years.
Since her retirement from professional sport,
Elana has headed up the JAG Foundation
and has been an inspiration to young
runners coming through the ranks.
Areas of expertise:
Q&A, Educational Talks, Motivational and
Topical Speaking
Sizwe Ndlovu
Sizwe Ndlovu is a South African Rower. He was part
of the 2012 National Olympic Team and was a
member of the team which won a Gold Medal in
the Men's Lightweight Four Rowing event at the
London Olympics.
Ndlovu is known to be one of the hardest working
sportsmen in the country and some part-time work
as a sports coach and the University degree are
also helping Lawrence equip himself for a career in
sport beyond competition.
Areas of expertise:
Educational Talks, Motivational and Topical
Speaking, Q&A
Kirsty Coventry
Kirsty Coventry is a Zimbabwean swimmer and
former world record holder. She attended and
swam competitively for Auburn University in
Alabama, in the United States.
At the 2004 Summer Olympics, in Athens, Greece,
Coventry won three Olympic medals: a gold, a
silver, and a bronze, while in the 2008 Summer
Olympics in Beijing she won four medals: a gold
and three silver. She was subsequently described by
Paul Chingoka, head of the Zimbabwe Olympic
Committee, as "our national treasure”
Areas of expertise:
Q&A, Educational Talks, Motivational and Topical
Speaking
SPRINGBOKS
STILL TOUGHING IT
OUT ON THE FIELD
Schalk Burger
Schalk Burger is one of the most
recognizable rugby players in the world.
Undoubtedly one of the most physical
players to have ever graced the game,
Schalk has led Western Province and The
Stormers throughout his career, in the
process earning close on 70 Springbok caps.
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Motivational Speaking,
Q&A, School Talks, Sponsor Launches
Fourie du Preez
Fourie du Preez is one of the most
decorated South African rugby players of all
time.
In provincial rugby, he has won Currie Cup
and Super Rugby titles with the Bulls, whilst at
international level, he has earned 62 caps.
Du Preez currently plies his trade in Japan.
Areas of expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Q&A.
Bryan Habana
Bryan Habana is the leading try-scorer in Springbok
rugby history and was part of the victorious
Springbok team at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
During his career, Habana had major success at
the Blue Bulls before joining Western Province,
where he helped the Cape-based side win the
2012 Currie Cup title.
Habana is recognized around the world and is a
captivating speaker at corporate functions and
social events.
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Business Talks, General
Speaking, Motivational Speaking, Q&A
Marius Joubert
Marius Joubert, currently playing in Durban for the
Sharks, is a well-travelled rugby player, both locally
and abroad, having enjoyed a career spanning
over 13 years.
Joubert has played for Boland, Western Province,
Cheetahs and the Sharks in South Africa as well
earning 66 caps at French Top14 side Clermont.
Joubert earned 30 Springbok caps during his career
and is a highly competent and engaging speaker
for corporate events and social functions.
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Business Talks, General
Speaking, Motivational Speaking, Q&A
Butch James
Butch James has earned 40 Springbok caps
throughout a successful rugby career.
He was a member of the Springbok team
that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup and is
currently plying his trade at The Sharks.
Butch released an autobiography in 2011.
Areas of Expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Motivational Speaking,
Q&A, School Talks, Sponsor Launches
To book one of our speakers,
please email
[email protected]
Or
Call 021 702-7880
INDIVIDUAL
ATHLETES
Makhaya Ntini
Makhaya Ntini is undoubtedly one of the most
recognisable faces in South African sports. Ntini
became the first black cricketer to play for the
Proteas, earning 101 Test caps in a hugely
successful career.
Ntini is an inspiration to youngsters around the world
and is a fantastic and captivating speaker whether
it be a corporate function or chatting to learners.
Areas of expertise:
Educational Talks, Motivational and Topical
Speaking, Q&A, TV Punditry
Ryan Sandes
Ryan Sandes is a South African trail runner.
In 2010 he became the first competitor to have
won all four of the 4 Deserts races, each a 6/7-day,
250km self-supported footrace through the
Atacama Desert in Chile, the Gobi Desert in China,
the Sahara Desert in Egypt, and lastly Antarctica.
Sandes is a highly captivating speaker and is
comfortable talking in front of both small and big
crowds.
Areas of Expertise:
Motivational speaking, Business Conferences,
Corporate Team Building, Sports Teams Training
YOU CAN LEARN A THING OR
TWO FROM THESE
EXPERTS
IN THEIR FIELDS
Hanli Prinsloo
Hanli Prinsloo is an eleven-time South African
Free diving Record Holder, Filmmaker and
avid Ocean Adventurer. She has a
background in acting, documentary
filmmaking as well as thirteen years of
competitive free diving experience.
Hanli has spoken at Ted Talks throughout the
world and her sincerity shines through in her
very interactive talks.
Areas of Expertise:
Motivational speaking, Business
Conferences, Corporate Team Building,
Sports Teams Training
Dr. Sherylle Calder
Dr. Sherylle Calder is regarded as the
leading specialist in the field of visual skills
and performance, both in South African and
international sport.
She has worked with international sportsmen
and women including Ernie Els, Bryan
Habana and Jonny Wilkinson as well as the
Dutch Women’s Hockey Team and the
Australian Cricket Squad.
Areas of expertise:
Anecdotal Speaking, Educational Talks,
Industry Talks, Sports Science
Paddy Upton
Paddy Upton has successfully coached elite
business teams from a variety of industries,
as well as professional and international
sports teams, helping them take their game
to even greater heights.
Upton worked with Gary Kirsten during
Kirsten’s time as India’s cricket coach and is
currently a consultant to the Proteas under
Gary Kirsten’s coaching set-up.
Areas of Expertise:
Q&A, Sports Marketing Business Dinners,
Motivational and Topical speaking
Pete Goffe-Wood
Pete Goffe-wood is an internationallyrenowned professional chef and one of the
judges on the hit TV show Masterchef South
Africa.
His career has grown in stature as his love for
food and the industry shines through.
Areas of Expertise:
Cooking demos, wine-pairing evenings,
team-building cook-offs, Cooking
Competition Judging, Q&A, TV punditry.
Tony van Marken
Tony van Marken is a successful businessman and avid
adventurer and has established a reputation as an
outstanding motivational speaker. He reached the
summit of Everest via the South Col route on June 2nd,
2005, to complete his quest to become the first South
African to climb the original Seven Summits, the highest
mountain on each of the world’s seven continents.
Tony has established a reputation as an entertaining
and inspiring motivational speaker. He uses unique video
footage and photographs from his ascent of Everest
and the Seven Summits to provide audiences with a
powerful and inspiring audiovisual experience.
Areas of Expertise:
Motivational speaking, Business Conferences, Corporate
Team Building, Sports Teams Training
Mike Makaab
Mike Makaab has represented some of the biggest names in
South African and African football and overseen some of the
continent’s biggest transfers between Africa and Europe. He
looks after the careers of a host of the country’s top players.
As Prosport International CEO, Mike is responsible for
operational aspects and strategic direction and has overseen
the company’s growth into one of the most respected sports
marketing and management agencies in the Southern
Hemisphere.
Mike is a sought-after speaker on the topics of team-building,
management techniques, motivation, change and sporting
anecdotes. A savvy motivator and successful leader, Mike is
engaging, intelligent and a consummate professional.
Areas of Expertise:
Motivational speaking, Business Conferences, Corporate Team
Building, Sports Teams Training
To book one of our speakers,
please contact us
[email protected]
www.prosportinternational.com
Call 021 702-7880