Ex-Bok video analyst who leaked training camp images takes own life

Piers Robertson

McDermott’s revelations of what went on at the Boks’ 2003 Rugby World Cup military-style training camp captured the attentions of the rugby world and hastened the exit of coach Rudolf Straeuli.

The pictures and video material of the three-day boot camp included shots of naked players performing “team-building” exercises in a freezing lake. Other shots showed the players huddled naked in a pit where they were forced to listen to God Save the Queen and anthems of other rival teams whilst being doused with cold water. The pictures of the camp stunned the South African public and, allied to poor results, led to the resignation of Straeuli and SA Rugby managing director Rian Oberholzer.

McDermott, 35, earned his spurs as technical assistant to Jake White during South Africa’s successful Under-21 RWC campaign of 2002.

But his actions following RWC 2003 earned him the label of Judas in some quarters of South African rugby, and he returned to teaching at Durban High School early in 2004. White said yesterday that he was “shattered” to hear of McDermott’s death.

“Dale was a really special friend of mine,” said the Springbok coach.

I have known his whole family for a long time and I know that he is going to be really missed by a lot of guys.”

He is survived by his father Dennis, mother Laurel and sister Kerry.