He Didn't Even Come To My 21st

Herschelle Gibbs’ heartbroken son Rashard believes his famous cricketing dad is more interested in his fans than his family.

- Jacques Myburgh

WHEN he was a boy he’d sit in the cricket stands and watch in awe as his dad blasted the ball around the pitch. With his swashbuckling batting displays Herschelle Gibbs was someone the Proteas could always count on to save the day when his teammates’ wickets started tumbling.

But as he witnessed his father’s heroics Rashard Gibbs couldn’t help wishing Herschelle was as devoted to him as he was to his cricketing career. More than anything he craved his father’s attention and approval – but as the years passed he was forced to accept a bitter truth about his dad.

“He’s a person for his fans, not for his family. He’s very much about Herschelle,” Rashard (21) tells us dispassionately in a coffee shop in Modderfontein, Johannesburg, where we’re interviewing him and his mom, Liesl Fuller (39).

With the sprinkling of light freckles on his nose and the earring in his right ear, he’s a carbon copy of his dad.

“He’s always been my role model,” Rashard says. “He was always someone I looked up to, up until Grade 10 when I was 15 or 16 years old. Then I realised I was more influenced by the lifestyle he had, rather than the person he is.”

What stands out for Rashard from the past few years is all the birthdays, Christmases and special moments his father has missed.

“I was always the one left picking up the pieces if Herschelle dropped him,” Liesl says. “In interviews I always protected him – pretending he’s a good father. No more.”

By the time of going to print Herschelle (43) hadn’t responded to allegations he’s an absent father. These days he plays for Pinelands Cricket Club in Cape Town.