Meet Bok star's homegrown honey
30 July 2010, 10:41
By Vincent Cruywagen
Springbok star Gio Aplon has his pick of the ladies but the speedy fullback's heart is totally devoted to his childhood girlfriend.
The Daily Voice caught up with the loving couple at his Brackenfell home this week to discuss the secret to their six-year relationship and their wedding plans.
On the rugby field, Gio outruns his opponents but he cannot run away from the speedy Tracey Gardiner, who is a 100-metre athlete at the University of Western Cape with a top time of 11.9 seconds.
Gio, 27, had reason to smile when he returned from the Springboks' dismal Tri-Nations away leg in Australasia because he was coming home to his 22-year-old childhood sweetheart Tracey.
Both were born in Hawston and started dating when she was at Hawston High School and Gio moved to Stellenbosch to study at Maties.
Gio says he knew Tracey was the girl for him after his mom, Auntie Nellie, 55, gave the slim athlete her seal of approval.
"There is nothing better than taking them homegrown," Gio jokes.
"Her mother and my mom taught at the same school and I was friends with her brother.
"But it was only when I began studying at Maties that I really noticed her beauty at an Oujaar bash in Hawston."
At the time, Tracey was only in Grade 10 at Hawston High but like a good investment, Gio was willing to wait for his young bokkie to matriculate.
"I'm crazy about her. She is ambitious, understanding and someone I can relate to," he says.
"I find inspiration in her. I've watched her standing up after setbacks on the athletics field and this drives me to greater heights on the field - she is full of energy.
"I want to marry her in two years' time."
The feeling is mutual and Tracey only has eyes for her homegrown honey.
Her face lights up as she talks about Gio.
"It's his personality, tenderness and appreciation that drive me nuts," she said.
"And, of course, his skills on the field."
But like any rugby wife, it's the injuries on the field that gives her the jitters.
She was at Newlands when (Blue Bulls player) Bakkies Botha made his dangerous tackle on Gio recently.
"I was very emotional. I was near to tears when I watched him lying on the field," says Tracey.
"I wanted to run onto the field and make sure he was OK - for a moment I thought that Gio's rugby dreams were shattered."
The couple say absence only makes their hearts grow fonder when Gio is away on Springbok and Super 14 duty.
"This is where trust and respect for our relationship comes in," says Gio.
And Tracey echoes his answer: "Everyone knows I'm Gio's girlfriend and... I know where my heart lies and who I want to share my life with, and that's Gio."
And while Gio has a bit more cash in the bank since his rugby career took off, the couple like quiet times at home.
"We like going out for supper, but I prefer Gio's braaied chops," Tracey says.
Watching movies at home with her man is also one of her favourite weekend pastimes.
Gio says family time is also very important to both of them.
"We both like spending time with our parents," he says.
The lovebirds still need to decide on wedding details, and Gio is yet to go on bended knee and ask officially, but Tracey said she was in no hurry.
"I don't want to even think about the guest list. Where do we start?" Gio asks.
"It's our parents, family members, Stormers and Springbok players as well as my buddies at Maties," he said.
Tracey interrupts him and jokingly suggests a venue change.
"Maybe we should get married on a rugby field and in that way we make sure everyone can attend," she laughs. - Daily Voice
Springbok star Gio Aplon has his pick of the ladies but the speedy fullback's heart is totally devoted to his childhood girlfriend.
The Daily Voice caught up with the loving couple at his Brackenfell home this week to discuss the secret to their six-year relationship and their wedding plans.
On the rugby field, Gio outruns his opponents but he cannot run away from the speedy Tracey Gardiner, who is a 100-metre athlete at the University of Western Cape with a top time of 11.9 seconds.
Gio, 27, had reason to smile when he returned from the Springboks' dismal Tri-Nations away leg in Australasia because he was coming home to his 22-year-old childhood sweetheart Tracey.
Both were born in Hawston and started dating when she was at Hawston High School and Gio moved to Stellenbosch to study at Maties.
Gio says he knew Tracey was the girl for him after his mom, Auntie Nellie, 55, gave the slim athlete her seal of approval.
"There is nothing better than taking them homegrown," Gio jokes.
"Her mother and my mom taught at the same school and I was friends with her brother.
"But it was only when I began studying at Maties that I really noticed her beauty at an Oujaar bash in Hawston."
At the time, Tracey was only in Grade 10 at Hawston High but like a good investment, Gio was willing to wait for his young bokkie to matriculate.
"I'm crazy about her. She is ambitious, understanding and someone I can relate to," he says.
"I find inspiration in her. I've watched her standing up after setbacks on the athletics field and this drives me to greater heights on the field - she is full of energy.
"I want to marry her in two years' time."
The feeling is mutual and Tracey only has eyes for her homegrown honey.
Her face lights up as she talks about Gio.
"It's his personality, tenderness and appreciation that drive me nuts," she said.
"And, of course, his skills on the field."
But like any rugby wife, it's the injuries on the field that gives her the jitters.
She was at Newlands when (Blue Bulls player) Bakkies Botha made his dangerous tackle on Gio recently.
"I was very emotional. I was near to tears when I watched him lying on the field," says Tracey.
"I wanted to run onto the field and make sure he was OK - for a moment I thought that Gio's rugby dreams were shattered."
The couple say absence only makes their hearts grow fonder when Gio is away on Springbok and Super 14 duty.
"This is where trust and respect for our relationship comes in," says Gio.
And Tracey echoes his answer: "Everyone knows I'm Gio's girlfriend and... I know where my heart lies and who I want to share my life with, and that's Gio."
And while Gio has a bit more cash in the bank since his rugby career took off, the couple like quiet times at home.
"We like going out for supper, but I prefer Gio's braaied chops," Tracey says.
Watching movies at home with her man is also one of her favourite weekend pastimes.
Gio says family time is also very important to both of them.
"We both like spending time with our parents," he says.
The lovebirds still need to decide on wedding details, and Gio is yet to go on bended knee and ask officially, but Tracey said she was in no hurry.
"I don't want to even think about the guest list. Where do we start?" Gio asks.
"It's our parents, family members, Stormers and Springbok players as well as my buddies at Maties," he said.
Tracey interrupts him and jokingly suggests a venue change.
"Maybe we should get married on a rugby field and in that way we make sure everyone can attend," she laughs. - Daily Voice
Cape Town
