31/05/2026
Robert Pretorius - APPRECIATION & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The MAN, not the football CV.
Just over a week ago you wrote an open letter giving the coaching staff their flowers — a generous, heartfelt recognition for a stellar season and the honour and glory they have brought to Saxon Rovers FC and themselves. Every accolade in that letter is richly deserved, and a true reflection of the skill, talent, knowledge, dedication and perseverance of the people you've gathered around you. Saxon Rovers FC stands behind every word of it.
But the man who wrote the appreciations and acknowledgements, characteristically, left himself out of it.
I won't list your achievements … yet. The story of your coaching success is rich, but it's still under construction — and we know that's exactly how you'd want it described, because the standards you hold yourself to are higher than most.
You have a quiet, confident way about you that is easy to underestimate and impossible to ignore. You are not to be taken lightly — strong-willed, principled, and possessed of a man-management skill set that is rare anywhere in football, let alone at our level. You slotted into the culture of our club like a glove. Your personality is a perfect fit for who we are and what we strive for.
In your very first season with us you took the bull by the horns. You planned immaculately, you assembled the technical team and player squad with care and attention, and you plotted the course of this season as though you had been doing it for us for years. You carried Saxon Rovers FC to their first SAFA Cape Town Regional Men's League title — with four games to spare, having equalled and broken a number of league records along the way. Yes, we had a few squeaky bum moments but that’s part of the journey. That is an extraordinary debut season as a Head Coach by any measure, and it is one that our club, players, parents and supporters will remember for years to come.
You know better than anyone, that the hard work lies ahead. The provincial play-offs in Gansbaai are weeks away, and beyond them is a longer road still. Whatever that road asks of us, we walk it together.
And finally — and most certainly not least. We want to thank Alana – Robby’s wife.
Coaching at this level asks for hours, weekends, evenings and energy that belong, by rights, to a man's family. Alana, you have given Robby the time and the space to do what he loves — and you and the girls have come into our lives with open minds and open hearts. We welcomed you, and you welcomed us, and we count that as one of the genuine blessings of this season.
No man prospers without the love and support of his family, and especially of his wife. For everything you have given so that Robby could give us his best, the club is deeply appreciative and thankful.
Robby, THANK YOU! For the season, for the standard you set. Our moto reads ‘INTER OPTIMUS SUMUS’ loosely translated to – IF NOT THE BEST AMONGST THE BEST. Which aptly describes you.
