"IN RUGBY , LOOKING AFTER MY NUTRITION GIVES ME A HUGE ADVANTAGE..."
THYS STOLTZ Interviews Western Province U18 Rugby Player RICHARD BOLITER

Thys: Hi Richard, I haven't seen you for a while but you look in great shape. You're definitely not the U11 schoolboy that I first watched playing rugby 7 years ago! What have you been doing with your rugby since then?

Rich: Hi Thys, it's great to see you again. You have always been a huge inspiration to me and I would really like to thank you for your advice and support over the years. I have been with the Western Province Elite Rugby Squad since U15 in 2004 and have played for my school's 1 st Team ( SA CS in Cape Town ) for the past two years. I made WP final trials in U16 and U18 last year but finally got my WP U18 colours this year. We played in the SA Rugby Academy Week in George where we were unbeaten, winning against Freestate in the finals so it's been a great year so far.

Thys: You are a lot bigger and have bulked up a lot since I last saw you. What have you been doing?

Rich: At the end of last season, I weighed 95kg which at my height of 1,9m and being a lock was too light if I a wanted to stand a chance of getting my provincial colours this year. A target was set for me by our team biokineticist to reach 105kg before the start of this season which I did by following a strict gym program and using the Herbalife range of nutritional products daily in accordance with the nutritional program given to me.

Thys: That's great, well done. It's not easy to put on lean muscle mass without the correct balance of healthy nutritional supplements and being disciplined when it comes to eating healthy foods. I'm interested to hear what other benefits you experienced from using the Herbalife Nutritional Sport Performance program - anything else you can think of?

Rich: I use the Herbalife products before, during and after practice sessions and games for fueling, refueling, hydration and recovery. I can definitely feel a big difference in sustained energy levels during a game as well as the speed of my recovery afterwards as long as I use the products correctly at the right times. On the odd occasion when I slip up and forget, I feel a big difference so I try never to forget. I have been using the products now for 11 years so it is second nature to me.

Thys: And how have things gone with injuries and that sort of thing?

Rich: That's a big one. My recovery from injuries seems to be a lot quicker than with my team mates who don't supplement - some seem never to recover properly and it affects their performance and their morale. Talking about recovery, the new Herbalife H3O Isotonic drink is absolutely brilliant. I use it before, during and after every match and it helps me not to "run flat". It's great. I am normally very good with hydration but H3O makes a big difference.

Thys: Thanks for that Richard. It would be great and make it so much easier for team coaches and management if all rugby players understood how critical healthy nutritional supplementation is and used the Herbalife range of nutritional products from an early age as you have done. Well done on your contract with the Western Province Rugby Institute for next year and good luck with the U19 squad.

Rich: Thanks Thys - hope to see you in the "big league" soon!