Don't do an internet search if you want to know more about John McFarland, TuksRugby defence coach because the only thing you will learn is that he is passionate about rugby. 

To him, coaching is not just a job. It is a calling. No matter with which team his involved, his goal always remains the same. It is to make a difference, and he does. When he was involved with Blue Bulls Rugby, his "leaders" rated him as the "best defensive coach in the world game". He was also held in high esteem when he did the same job for the Springboks.

This season his focus is on helping the Tuks players fine-tune the art of defending their goal line. It will require players to put their bodies on the line, committing to try saving tackles during the Varsity Cup campaign.

Conrad Boshoff, TuksRugby Head of Programme believes McFarland's experience will make a difference.

"John is a brilliant coach-the ultimate professional. To me, he is a walking rugby encyclopedia. As a defensive coach, he is absolutely precise in what he expects from the players. Nothing is ever left to chance. The players respect him for this. It is as if they realise that they can learn something new with each training session."

As far as McFarland is concerned, good defence boils down to attitude. From a technical perspective for him, it is all about the quality of the tackling. Players need the ability to dominate the collision and win turnovers. They can do so either by stealing at the breakdown or by counter-rucking.

"Moreover preparation for the opposition play-sheet is critical because you want to negate their strengths and stamp your authority on the contest," McFarland explained.

It is not the first time that McFarland is involved with TuksRugby. He did the same between 2011 and 2013. He considers Tuks winning the Varsity Cup for the first time in 2012 as a standout moment in his coaching career.

"There is something to be said to be involved with TuksRugby. Every time I get to the sports grounds and see all the various young athletes running or training, I am inspired by their youthful vitality and enthusiasm."

McFarland was born in Belfast, grew up in England and packed next to Jason Leonard in his early Saracens days. He played hooker but also started to coach from a young age. At first, he mainly coached at the schools level. He was involved with the London Schools team and later the England under-16 team. From 1995, he got involved at London Irish working his way up to the assistant coach. He started coaching in South Africa from 2000 onwards.

The former Bulls coach, Heyneke Meyer, convinced him to come to South Africa. He was involved with the Bulls for eight years. He was also part of Meyer's coaching staff for the Springboks.

While he was involved with the Springboks, a British journalist wrote in an article - "When you hear how highly McFarland is rated, you wonder if he was the one that got away."

Don't do an internet search if you want to know more about John McFarland, TuksRugby defence coach because the only thing you will learn is that he is passionate about rugby. 

To him, coaching is not just a job. It is a calling. No matter with which team his involved, his goal always remains the same. It is to make a difference, and he does. When he was involved with Blue Bulls Rugby, his "leaders" rated him as the "best defensive coach in the world game". He was also held in high esteem when he did the same job for the Springboks.

This season his focus is on helping the Tuks players fine-tune the art of defending their goal line. It will require players to put their bodies on the line, committing to try saving tackles during the Varsity Cup campaign.

Conrad Boshoff, TuksRugby Head of Programme believes McFarland's experience will make a difference.

"John is a brilliant coach-the ultimate professional. To me, he is a walking rugby encyclopedia. As a defensive coach, he is absolutely precise in what he expects from the players. Nothing is ever left to chance. The players respect him for this. It is as if they realise that they can learn something new with each training session."

As far as McFarland is concerned, good defence boils down to attitude. From a technical perspective for him, it is all about the quality of the tackling. Players need the ability to dominate the collision and win turnovers. They can do so either by stealing at the breakdown or by counter-rucking.

"Moreover preparation for the opposition play-sheet is critical because you want to negate their strengths and stamp your authority on the contest," McFarland explained.

It is not the first time that McFarland is involved with TuksRugby. He did the same between 2011 and 2013. He considers Tuks winning the Varsity Cup for the first time in 2012 as a standout moment in his coaching career.

"There is something to be said to be involved with TuksRugby. Every time I get to the sports grounds and see all the various young athletes running or training, I am inspired by their youthful vitality and enthusiasm."

McFarland was born in Belfast, grew up in England and packed next to Jason Leonard in his early Saracens days. He played hooker but also started to coach from a young age. At first, he mainly coached at the schools level. He was involved with the London Schools team and later the England under-16 team. From 1995, he got involved at London Irish working his way up to the assistant coach. He started coaching in South Africa from 2000 onwards.

The former Bulls coach, Heyneke Meyer, convinced him to come to South Africa. He was involved with the Bulls for eight years. He was also part of Meyer's coaching staff for the Springboks.

While he was involved with the Springboks, a British journalist wrote in an article, "When you hear how highly McFarland is rated, you wonder if he was the one that got away."