Contributors
Frank Heydenrych
Frank is a sports fanatic, along with other fanaticisms. He follows cricket and rugby, in particular, and supports anyone who plays the Sharks. Frank was named Journalist of the Year in 1990, edited a number of sports journals, and name-drops outrageously. In 31 years in journalism, he has never stopped supporting Western Province, a burden he has to carry for better or worse.
He was a reasonable fast bowler, a crappy batsman but he can still take any catch coming his way. He played two rugby games in his life and no one ever wants to talk about them. He was a goalkeeper for five years, until he let in five and retired.
He has cycled the equivalent of the equator three times, but never come close to winning anything, other than hundreds of token medals. He plays tennis fiercely but badly, and has not thrown a racquet in two decades. They cost too much.
David Blood
David started on Radio doing Radio Theatre in Durban in the 1970s with shows like Father Dear Father, The Navy Lark, Friends and Neighbours, Lux Radio Theatre, Playhouse 90 and many more. Got into TV easier than radio in Johannesburg in 1976, became a weatherman on TV and a TopSport presenter, then one of the TV1 continuity announcers.
Joined 702 just after it launched in 1980, was with them doing the evening music show from 19:00 to 22:00 and Sunday afternoons until headhunted by Radio 5 late in 1984 for the afternoon drive show. Was later joined by Tony Sanderson which resulted in the Chuckle and Chat Show, the biggest show to hit radio in South Africa. A show that broke all the rules and stereotypes for broadcasting on government-controlled radio.
David went back to 702 in 1988 to launch night-time talk radio in the form of Talk at Ten, which later became Talk at Nine, a show that still runs today after a myriad presenters. Had a stint with Radio 2000 and Highveld Stereo before leading the Blood Consortium against Primedia and other potential buyers in a race to buy the station.
He was always in trouble for playing good music and not sticking to the “format”, so being able to play what he likes and share his music with others, without waiting for the “Red Phone” to ring, is a great pleasure.
Today David presents on Mix 93.8FM and has helped SuperSport’s content creation, and is a significant contributor to SportsCentral.
Neal Collins
Neal is a sport journalist based in London. He makes regular appearances as a football and sports analyst on Channel 5 and Sky News.
Born in Plymouth but raised in Lee on Solent, Hampshire, Neal spent his formative years in South Africa, moving with his father Robert Glynn and mother Dilys Mary in 1970.
After winning a series of essay awards at Lyttelton Manor High School in Centurion, Neal won a scholarship to and then graduated from Rhodes University with a Bachelor of Journalism degree.
Neal played football for Durban City, South Africa’s double league champions in 1981 and 1982, and cricket for Villagers, a first-grade club in Pretoria.
Though a sports journalist, Neal Collins frequently wrote articles which upset the apartheid government in the early 1980s while working for the Natal Mercury and Daily News.
Neal is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable sports writers in the world.