Robbi Kempson
{{Short description|South African rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Use South African English|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox rugby union biography
| name = Robbi Kempson
| image =
| fullname = Robert Bruce Kempson
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|02|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = Queenstown, South Africa
| height = {{height|m=1.85}}
| weight = {{convert|115|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}
| nickname =
| occupation =
| school = Queen's College, Queenstown
| university = University of Natal
| relatives =Willium Kelpson,
Lauchlin Kelpson
| position = Prop
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 1994–1998
| clubs1 = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}
| apps1 =
| points1 =
| years2 = 1996–1998
| clubs2 = {{Rut|Sharks}}
| apps2 =
| points2 =
| years3 = 1999–2003
| clubs3 = {{Rut|Stormers}}
| apps3 =
| points3 =
| years4 = 1999–2001
| clubs4 = {{Rut|Western Province}}
| apps4 =
| points4 =
| years5 = 1999
| clubs5 = → Newport
| apps5 =
| points5 =
| years6 = 2002–2004
| clubs6 = Ulster
| apps6 =
| points6 =
| years7 = 2004–2005
| clubs7 = Northampton Saints
| apps7 =
| points7 =
| repyears1 =
| repteam1 = South Africa Schools
| repcaps1 =
| reppoints1 =
| repyears2 = 1994
| repteam2 = South Africa Under-23
| repcaps2 =
| reppoints2 =
| repyears3 = 1996
| repteam3 = South Africa 'A'
| repcaps3 =
| reppoints3 =
| repyears4 = 1998–2003
| repteam4 = {{nrut|South Africa}} (test)
| repcaps4 = 37
| reppoints4 =
| repyears5 = 1998–2003
| repteam5 = {{nrut|South Africa}} (tour)
| repcaps5 = 1
| reppoints5 =
| clubupdate = 9 March 2016
| repupdate = 9 March 2016
}}
Robert Bruce Kempson (born 23 February 1974 in Queenstown, South Africa) is a South African former rugby union footballer, and the Director of High Performance and interim head coach of the {{Rut|Southern Kings}} in Pro14.{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=18094 | name=Robbi Kempson | date=29 May 2016}}
He played rugby between 1994 and 2003 for {{Rut|Natal}}, {{Rut|Western Province}} and Irish side Ulster, and also played in 37 test matches and one tour match for the South Africa national team. His regular position was prop.
Rugby career
=Playing career=
When Kempson was still attending Queen's College, in Queenstown, he was selected to play in the South Africa Schools side.{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1998/06/26/26/2.html | title=Vasbyter Kempson het as stut in Super Twaalf geleer | work=Die Burger | date=26 June 1998 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310022400/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1998/06/26/26/2.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} After school, he joined {{Rut|Natal}}, where he played his first class rugby until 1998.
Kempson was selected to represent South Africa at various youth or development levels; in 1994, he represented the South Africa Under-23 team{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1994/10/17/10/8.html | title=Ollie kry trekpas | work=Die Burger | date=13 October 1994 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310031519/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1994/10/17/10/8.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} and later in the same year, he toured with a South Africa Development side to the United Kingdom.{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1994/11/24/14/6.html | title=Coetzee van veld gejaag | work=Die Burger | date=24 November 1994 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310022452/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1994/11/24/14/6.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} He was named on the bench for {{nrut|South Africa}} in a match in 1995 against {{nrut|Wales}} in Johannesburg, but failed to make an appearance;{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5242 | homeid=3988 | awayid=4207 | leagueid=281 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=40 | awayscore=11 | awayteam=Wales | matchdate=2 September 1995 | date=3 June 2016}} but his good form continued as he was named the South African Rugby Young Player of the Year for 1995 In 1996, he played for a South Africa 'A' team that toured the United Kingdom{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1996/11/02/15/15.html | title=SA A skop af | work=Die Burger | date=2 November 1996 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310031427/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1996/11/02/15/15.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} and in 1997, he played for both the Sharks{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5188 | homeid=4300 | awayid=3592 | leagueid=262 | hometeam=Natal Sharks | homescore=12 | awayscore=42 | awayteam=British & Irish Lions | matchdate=12 June 1997 | date=3 June 2016}} and the Emerging Springboks{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5195 | homeid=3160 | awayid=3592 | leagueid=262 | hometeam=Emerging Springboks | homescore=22 | awayscore=51 | awayteam=British & Irish Lions | matchdate=15 June 1997 | date=3 June 2016}} against the British and Irish Lions during their 1997 tour to South Africa.
On 20 June 1998, he finally made his test debut, playing off the bench in their match against {{nrut|Ireland}} in a mid-year rugby union international.{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1998/06/20/20/6.html | title=Joost glo dit sal vandag beter gaan in toets teen Iere | work=Die Burger | date=20 June 1998 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310022104/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1998/06/20/20/6.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }}{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5899 | homeid=3995 | awayid=3478 | leagueid=260 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=33 | awayscore=0 | awayteam=Ireland | matchdate=20 June 1998 | date=3 June 2016}} He was promoted to the starting line-up for their 96–13 victory over {{nrut|Wales}} a week later{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1998/06/25/1/6.html | title=Vurige skrumwerk besorg Kempson plek teen Drake | work=Die Burger | date=25 June 1998 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310030737/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1998/06/25/1/6.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }}{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5892 | homeid=3994 | awayid=4208 | leagueid=282 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=96 | awayscore=13 | awayteam=Wales | matchdate=27 June 1998 | date=3 June 2016}} and retained the number one jersey in an 18–0 victory over {{nrut|England}}.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5900 | homeid=3996 | awayid=3167 | leagueid=255 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=18 | awayscore=0 | awayteam=England | matchdate=4 July 1998 | date=3 June 2016}}
After the 1998 Currie Cup, Kempson move to Cape Town, where he joined Currie Cup side {{Rut|Western Province}} and Super Rugby side the {{Rut|Stormers}}. However, he failed to be selected in the South Africa side that competed at the 1999 Rugby World Cup, instead joining Welsh side Newport on a short-term basis,{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1999/09/18/16/13.html | title=Streekspanne van SA vroeg gefinaliseer | work=Die Burger | date=18 September 1999 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310022402/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1999/09/18/16/13.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} here he joined fellow South Africans Gary Teichmann, Franco Smith and Andy Marinos.{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1999/09/21/2/50.html | title=Uitsmyters help om wêreldbekerkoors in bedwang te bring | work=Die Burger | date=21 September 1999 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310023331/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1999/09/21/2/50.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }}
He returned to South Africa to play for the Stormers and Western Province in 2000 and 2001, also forcing his way back into Springbok selection. However, a neck operation at the start of 2002 ruled him out of the entire 2002 Super 12 season.{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2002/01/05/22/3.html | title=Chris Rossouw lank uit ná operasie | work=Die Burger | date=5 January 2002 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310032606/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2002/01/05/22/3.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} He then signed a deal with Irish side Ulster, where he joined former Stormers coach Alan Solomons.{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2002/05/02/19/5.html | title=Kempson allig op pad na Ulster | work=Die Burger | date=2 May 2002 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310010630/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2002/05/02/19/5.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} He did return to South Africa to play Stormers during the 2003 Super 12 season and appeared for the Springboks in the 2003 Tri Nations Series – where South Africa's 9–29 defeat to {{nrut|Australia}} turned out to be Kempson's final test match for South Africa – before returning to Ulster.
When Solomons left Ulster to join English Premiership side Northampton Saints, he also lured Kempson across the Irish Sea.{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2004/09/02/DB/16LDSk/07.html | title=Krige lei Solomons se Saints | work=Die Burger | date=2 September 2004 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310031400/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2004/09/02/DB/16LDSk/07.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} However, Kempson's time in Northampton was marred by injuries and he was released after just one season.{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2005/03/17/DB/34LDSk/05.html | title=Oud-Bokke tel teenspoed op in Engelse Premierliga | work=Die Burger | date=17 March 2005 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310030637/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2005/03/17/DB/34LDSk/05.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }}
=Coaching career=
Kempson's relationship with Alan Solomons continued when his playing career ended, and Kempson was appointed a forwards coach at the {{Rut|UCT Ikey Tigers}}, where Solomons was the technical director.{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2005/11/18/OS/23/arugflitso18.html | title=flitse | work=Die Burger | date=18 November 2005 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310021851/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2005/11/18/OS/23/arugflitso18.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} He also assisted Gary Gold by coaching the {{Rut|Western Province}} Vodacom Cup team in 2007{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2007/03/01/SK/21/snwpbulldogs.html | title=Louw lei 'n sterbelaaide WP-span teen Bulldogs op Nuweland | work=Die Burger | date=1 March 2007 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310013532/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2007/03/01/SK/21/snwpbulldogs.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} and {{nrut|Namibia}} in their preparation for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2007/08/14/SK/12/namibb.html | title=Voormalige WP-breier help Namibië slyp vir WB | work=Die Burger | date=14 August 2007 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310025943/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2007/08/14/SK/12/namibb.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }}
In 2009, Kempson moved to Port Elizabeth to join Solomons' coaching staff at the {{Rut|Mighty Elephants}},{{cite news | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2009/08/20/KS/28/spt-swd.html | title=SWD-Arende nie bang vir die OP se swaargewigte | work=Son | date=20 August 2009 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310032602/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2009/08/20/KS/28/spt-swd.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} where he was also appointed the manager of their newly established academy in 2010.{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2010/08/12/KS/24/oosSolomons.html | title=Grotes staan tou om Kings te help | work=Son | date=12 August 2010 | access-date=9 March 2016 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310030443/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2010/08/12/KS/24/oosSolomons.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} Kempson remained in his role as Academy Director over the next few years, also coaching the {{Rut|Eastern Province U21}} side in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Under-21 Provincial Championships and the {{Rut|NMMU Young Guns}} in the 2014 and 2015 Varsity Cup Young Guns competitions.
In March 2016, the Eastern Province Rugby Union confirmed that Kempson would be the head coach of the {{Rut|Eastern Province Kings}} for the 2016 Currie Cup qualification series.{{cite news | url=https://www.rugby15.co.za/ep-kings-currie-cup-preparations-on-track-despite-financial-difficulties/ | title=EP Kings Currie Cup preparations on track, despite financial difficulties | work=Rugby15 | date=9 March 2016 | access-date=9 March 2016}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kempson, Robbi}}
Category:South African rugby union coaches
Category:South African rugby union players
Category:South African people of English descent
Category:Rugby union players from Queenstown, South Africa
Category:Sharks (Currie Cup) players
Category:Sharks (rugby union) players
Category:Western Province (rugby union) players