Before the Springboks and Wallabies locked horns at Ellis Park, a man covered in plasters and mischief sprinted onto the field to the roar of the crowd. That man was Sean Raymond - or at least, the man who claims to be Sean Raymond. And if his story is to be believed (which it absolutely shouldn’t be), he’s not just a rugby fan. He’s a walking conspiracy theory wrapped in bandages.
The Cowboys vs the Makhulus: A Match for the Bankfin Three Million
Sean Raymond’s rugby career peaked in the late '80s or early '90s (he’s vague on the details), when he was hand-picked in “The Big Pick,” a selection process devised by legendary commentator George Whedall. The match? A high-stakes showdown between the Cowboys and the Bankfin Makhulus, played for the mythical Bankfin Three Million.
“It was the first time they offered money for amateur play,” Sean recalls. “R15 000 for a try, R15 000 for a conversion. Tremendous game.”
Sean was the hooker for the Cowboys, but his glory was short-lived. A lock named Shaft (yes, Shaft) kicked him in the snozzle (nose), forcing him off the field. Enter Sweet Coetzee.
Sweet Coetzee: Medic, Saboteur, Suspended Commentator
Sweet Coetzee, a suspended sports commentator moonlighting as a medic, tied Sean to a stretcher and disguised himself as Sean Raymond. He then ran onto the field as Sean Raymond, playing for the Cowboys - but here’s the twist: he played badly on purpose.
Why? Because Sweet and George Whedall had placed a massive bet on the Makhulus to win. Sweet’s sabotage was so brazen it could’ve been a plotline in a '90s action movie. “He was a Cowboy,” Sean explains, “but he was playing for the Makhulus to win.”
Despite his best efforts to tank the game, Sweet took a knock to the head mid-match and forgot he was sabotaging. Believing he was a real cowboy, he started playing like a champion. “Because Sean Raymond IS a champion,” Sean insists.
“I’m fine man, let’s play” 😂
— Brandon Portnoy (@BrandonPortnoy) May 11, 2024
He may be 40. He may have played rugby for half his life. He may have collected thousands of bones. He may be a Springbok.
But Willem Albert’s’ greatest achievements is the creation of Shaun Raymond 🤕
Happy Birthday to a legend of the game! pic.twitter.com/7AKtN38IdT
Match-Fixing at Freedom Stadium
The game featured other legends of lore: Maf Jones at flyhalf for the Makhulus, and Longdrop Botha for the Cowboys - “probably the best kicking flyhalf since Naas Botha,” Sean says, with a straight face.
The Makhulus won, securing the Bankfin Three Million and sealing Sweet Coetzee’s bet. “That’s probably where match-fixing started,” Sean muses. “Back in the '80s. At Freedom Stadium.”
Enter Willem Alberts: The Bone Collector Goes Full Schuster
Fast forward to Ellis Park, 2025. Comedian Leon Schuster was supposed to be the flag bearer for the Springboks vs Wallabies test, but when he couldn’t make it, one of his biggest fans stepped up: former Bok enforcer Willem Alberts.
Alberts, known as the Bone Collector for his bone-rattling tackles, decided to pay tribute to Schuster by reviving a character from the film Sweet and Short - none other than Sean Raymond, the disguised field invader who helped his team win.
“I’m a big Leon Schuster fan,” Alberts said. “The movies inspired me and my generation, especially with the rugby humour. I’ve often used them in the team environment.”
According to Alberts, Supersport had planned for Sean Raymond to run on first, followed by Leon’s grand entrance. “When Leon couldn’t make it, I stepped in to make sure people smile,” Alberts said. “For me it was fun.”
And smile they did. Fans of Schuster picked up the reference instantly. The rest just enjoyed the sight of a giant man in plasters charging onto the pitch like it was 1989.