Now what?

They’re two words that professional athletes are all too familiar with, as they step off the “sporting stage” and contemplate the harsh realities of their immediate future, their “new life”, a life very different to the one they’ve known.

No routine, no structure, no money, no ready-made social circle, no more applause or back slapping – everything that’s sustained them for the years they played professionally, it all disappears in a puff of smoke the moment that dreaded “R” word is uttered.

For many athletes, transitioning is even more challenging, more arduous than competing, perhaps not physically but certainly emotionally and socially. A week into retirement, and their sense of identity can disappear with the jersey or the tracksuit they’ve worn while plying their trade.

Fortunately, for former Wallaby captain James Horwill, transition was seamless. The man known “Kev” – Big Kev, didn’t have time to dwell or ponder or lament what he was leaving behind. He learned what he’d be doing post rugby while driving to what in all likelihood was his last game of professional rugby.

Talk about timely – the “new” was starting, within weeks of the “old” stopping. Boots out, books in.

Horwill’s ticket to emotional freedom was learning he’d been accepted into Cambridge University to do an MBA, building on the Bachelor of Business he’d completed at Hertfordshire University during his four seasons playing for London Club Harlequins.

And don’t think for a moment that the “opening” had anything to do his profile as an international rugby player and World Cup captain – it was based purely on the first class honours he earned at university, and the results of a gruelling entrance exam and interview process.

A little to his own dismay, he made “the cut”, one of the 20% accepted into the Cambridge Judge Business School.

“It was a very pleasing phone call to get,” Horwill admitted, “particularly since it came just a couple of hours before kick-off in our knock out semi-final. If we lost, it was all over. As fate would have it, our kicker missed a penalty shot after the fulltime siren! I was officially done.”

Despite falling smack in the middle of Covid, the 20-month Cambridge experience was everything Horwill had expected, and more – 14th century buildings, gowned dinners, wall to wall Nobel prize winners, and teenage “wunderkind” sprouting wisdom, exuding intellect – just the environment compelled him to excel.

Fittingly, there was also a bit of rugby for “old time’s sake”, Horwill locking the Cambridge scrum with fellow MBA student, Springbok international Flip van de Merwe – little surprise the “light blues” beat the dark blues of Oxford in 2019, with a combined 100 Test caps packing down in the second row.

“The real shame was not being able to stay at Twickenham and celebrate,” Horwill reflected. “Flip and I had a two hour management science exam at 8.30 the next morning. Straight after the match, we got in the car and drove back to Cambridge.”

And passed? “Yep, both passed!”

Phase 2 of “Big Kev’s” transition from professional sport, again through good fortune, was just as clearly mapped out. Unlike so many, there was a job waiting for him, a career path within “EGR”, the Horwill family business.

The EGR Group, which celebrated its 50th birthday earlier this year, designs and manufactures automotive and building products, its clients including most of the world’s leading car brands, such as Toyota, GM and Ford.

With an annual turnover of $200 million, 900 fulltime staff, and manufacturing facilities and distribution centres in eight different countries, there was always going to be room for a “broken down old second-rower”, particularly with an MBA from Cambridge University.

“I love being part of it,” Horwill enthused. “I worked for the business on and off while I was playing so I knew what to expect. But now that it’s my primary focus, it’s even more rewarding, particularly heading up the “after market” division and leading a team of people.

“The commercial world is so much more complex that professional sport. In a rugby team you’ve got a tightly knit group of people, living and traveling and working together, striving towards a singular, clear goal. Business is not like that. Not everybody has the same motivation or drive or ambition.

“To lead people, you have to understand and embrace those variances, and work with people more individually to get the best outcome. You also can’t afford to be as blunt as you can be in a rugby dressing room. I’ve had to learn to throttle back quite a bit!”

Capped 62 times for his country, and having captained every representative team he played in – Queensland, Australia, Harlequins and the Barbarians – the BBC Old Boy keeps a “toe hold” in the game through his part commentary commitments at Stan Sports.

He’s enjoying the challenge, though admits he’s on a steep learning curve, stumbling and tripping his way towards success. “In the absence of anything better, I’m just trying to be authentic – offer my views, but remain true to who I am as a person,” he says. “If that doesn’t work, I’m in trouble!”

Like every former player and rugby enthusiast, Horwill is also monitoring with great interest the progress of Eddie Jones’ Wallabies, as they build hastily towards the upcoming World Cup in France in September / October.

“Disappointing result (against South Africa) for sure, but a really tough place to play, and the first hit out for the team under the new regime,” Horwill says, providing a little context around the 43-12 score line in Pretoria.

“Things can change very quickly. Eddie is a unique character – I think that’s the polite way to put it! But he’s incredibly smart, and very good at what he does. I’m comfortable we’ve got the right team steering the ship. I think we have the potential to surprise a lot of people in France.”

In the meantime, the 38 year-old is also working on Phase 3 – with three children under the age of four, he and wife Lauren are yet to determine exactly what that looks like – in all likelihood, it will be decided for them!

“We were lucky enough to have Eva in England while I was still playing,” he says. “Becoming a parent – that provides real context. Playing professional sport is wonderful, an absolute privilege, but when you start a family, it shines a different light on what’s important.

“I’m very lucky to have had the career I have, but the longer you’re retired, the more you realise, it’s a very small part of your life.”