![BARBER TO THE BOKS](https://cdn.magzter.com/1359122596/1718184866/articles/WjQT4NVkz1718287557481/BARBER-TO-THE-BOKS.jpg)
JOOST van der Westhuizen's shorts hang on one wall alongside a pair that once belonged to Ollie le Roux. On another, Francois Pienaar's famous Bok jersey is proudly displayed near one that Ian MacDonald wore in his day.
Springbok paraphernalia is everywhere here - jerseys, flags, books, autographed photographs, hundreds of caps, rugby balls, jackets, scarves and ties cover every available surface.
If not for the barber chairs in the middle of room, you'd be forgiven for thinking you'd stepped into a rugby museum.
This is Bennie's Barber Shop in Newlands, Randburg - the place where Bennie Botes earns his living surrounded by one of the biggest private collections of all things Springbok in the country.
Bennie has more than 40 Springbok jackets and signed jerseys on display, all given to him by the players themselves.
Many of them have also had their locks lopped here, including Hennie le Roux, Japie Mulder, Ian MacDonald and Kobus Wiese.
When he opened the doors to his shop 18 years ago, it looked like barber shops everywhere, Bennie says - plain white walls like in a doctor's consulting rooms.
A friend suggested he try something different, and Bennie's Barber Shop started life as a sports-themed business.
"We brought in all sports," he recalls.
"We had cricket bats, we had fishing rods, you name it, we had everything.
But at the end of the day rugby dominated.’’
Rugby-mad Bennie would go to matches and when word of his barber shop got out, players would come in for a snip and a shave.
Players and people from all walks of life started donating Bok gear and mementos, and the walls of Bennie’s shop were soon full and fascinating.
‘‘Almost all of this is from players – these jerseys you see aren’t ordinary jerseys. There are quite a few caps, ties and rugby balls and so on. And everything is gifted, I haven’t bought anything.
This story is from the 20 June 2024 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 20 June 2024 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Our top picks to listen to and watch](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/be_00KLl11718285765213/OUR-TOP-PICKS-TO-LISTEN-TO-AND-WATCH.jpg)
Our top picks to listen to and watch
The HOTTEST things in POP CULTURE and ENTERTAINMENT THIS WEEK
![QUEEN OF THE COURT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/xGdZnQzPC1718287703673/QUEEN-OF-THE-COURT.jpg)
QUEEN OF THE COURT
She's just won her fifth Grand Slam title and at 23 tennis star Iga Świątek is only getting started!
![WE'RE ON A MISSION TO HELP](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/KW564HPr91718284265040/WERE-ON-A-MISSION-TO-HELP.jpg)
WE'RE ON A MISSION TO HELP
The Olifants have started an ambulance service for animals from less fortunate communities
![BARBER TO THE BOKS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/WjQT4NVkz1718287557481/BARBER-TO-THE-BOKS.jpg)
BARBER TO THE BOKS
He's been cutting hair for almost 50 years. But it's the more than 40 jackets and signed jerseys from Springbok players whose hair he's done that make him a cut above the rest
![THE SCIENCE OF DEATH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/bMDlgE0ry1718287157930/THE-SCIENCE-OF-DEATH.jpg)
THE SCIENCE OF DEATH
New research into the dying brain suggests the line between life and death may be far less distinct than previously thought
![WE TALK ABOUT Colombia's underwater treasure quest](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/fMj4LT2lQ1718286507883/WE-TALK-ABOUT-COLOMBIAS-UNDERWATER-TREASURE-QUEST.jpg)
WE TALK ABOUT Colombia's underwater treasure quest
COLOMBIA is launching a historic underwater expedition to explore a ship that sank in the Caribbean more than 300 years ago.
![UNFORGETTABLE READS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/wcYEQQmrm1718286248131/UNFORGETTABLE-READS.jpg)
UNFORGETTABLE READS
These new releases all offer something surprising and unexpected
![EAT YOUR FILL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/6Le2NWT1r1718284646934/EAT-YOUR-FILL.jpg)
EAT YOUR FILL
Trying to lose weight? Stock up on the foods that trigger the release of the same 'fullness' hormone as the weight-loss drug Ozempic
![ROMANTIC RUPERT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/VEgrH6HGH1718283913313/ROMANTIC-RUPERT.jpg)
ROMANTIC RUPERT
Retired media tycoon Rupert Murdoch is a sucker for love and at 93 he's got married - again!
![RUNNING STRONG](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/x51zmyjLY1718283154946/RUNNING-STRONG.jpg)
RUNNING STRONG
This Roodepoort mom has lost half her body weight - and she's just done her second Comrades