Pierre Schoeman says he had to sell his boutique biltong and sausage business because he feared it was going to get in the way of his dream to win a Scotland cap.
The South African-born prop – who set up 'The Proper Pioneer' soon after his arrival at the club in 2018 – has handed over the company to his fellow capital front-rower WP Nel, so that he can concentrate purely on rugby this season.
Schoeman qualified to play for Scotland through the three-year residency rule earlier this year and has his sights set on making hs international debut during the November Test schedule when Toga, Australia, South Africa and Japan will all visit Murrayfield.
“It [the business] got so successful, it got very big, so I just said I want to focus on the rugby now and it suited WP Nel to buy it as well,” said Schoeman. “So he bought it, and he’s doing very well. I know he has a big ambition for it.
“He’s coming towards the end of his career and he loves doing something like that. Maybe open up a South African-Scottish shop as well.
“Hats off to him – four children, coaching us, playing as well and running a business.”
Schoeman reckons the business would have been even more successful if he hadn’t eaten so much of the product himself. So, when he had to shed some weight over the summer, that gave him another reason to sell it.
“I had to lose 10 kilogrammes as well. It was all the product, all the profit I ate,” he added.
Edinburgh kick off their campaign with a home match against Scarlets on Saturday evening, and Schoeman insisted that he will continue to focus on club ahead of country until such time as he receives a call from national team head coach Gregor Townsend.
“It’s a huge opportunity and I believe it will happen, but the focus is on Edinburgh first now, honestly, and when the chance comes I’ll give it my all, 100 per cent,” he said.
“There’s been some developments at the club and we’re really enjoying Mike Blair as our new head coach – he’s really helping us a lot and we learn a lot.
“I’m excited for the first game. Last week was a good game, and it was good weather on the new pitch, but I’m looking forward to this game.”
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