29/05/2026
Van Cradock tot die Pumas – ’n Reis van Groei, Grit en Geloof
My rugbyreis het begin as ’n jong seun op Cradock Laerskool, waar die liefde vir die spel vroeg posgevat het. Wat begin het as pure genot, het met tyd ontwikkel in ’n groter droom—om myself op ’n hoër vlak te toets en die beste weergawe van myself te word.
Na laerskool is ek na Hoër Landbouskool Marlow, waar ek vir twee jaar in die eerste span gespeel het. Gedurende daardie tyd het ek ook provinsiale rugby gespeel deur die ouderdomsgroepe (O/16, O/17 en O/18), wat my waardevolle ervaring en blootstelling gegee het.
My volgende stap was Nelson Mandela Universiteit (NMU). My eerste jaar daar was uitdagend, aangesien ek onder ’n ander coach was wat my misgekyk het en nie regtig in my as speler geglo het nie. Maar dinge het verander toe Coach David Manuel oorgeneem het. Hy het in my geglo, my ’n kans gegee en my gehelp om as speler en mens te groei. Daardie vertroue het ’n groot verskil in my ontwikkeling gemaak.
Ek het OP op O/20- en O/21-vlak verteenwoordig, waar ek ook die voorreg gehad het om in ’n leierskaprol op te tree. Daarna is ek op 21-jarige ouderdom opgetrek na die senior OP-span. Van daar af het ek myself stap vir stap opgewerk, met die fokus om konstant te verbeter en elke geleentheid ten volle te benut. Vandag is ek dankbaar om ’n kontrak by die Pumas te hê—iets wat nie oornag gebeur het nie, maar deur harde werk en deursettingsvermoë.
Wat my dryf, is die wil om elke dag beter te word en myself teen die beste te meet. Ek glo daarin om konstant te groei en nie tevrede te wees met middelmatigheid nie.
Ek glo ook vas dat niks hiervan moontlik sou wees sonder God se genade nie. Hy het my deur moeilike tye gedra en my die krag gegee om aan te hou. Ek is ongelooflik dankbaar vir my vrou, wat my deur moeilike tye gemotiveer en ondersteun het. Ek wil ook my ouers en skoonouers bedank vir hul onvoorwaardelike ondersteuning deur my hele reis—dit maak ’n groter verskil as wat mens besef.
My boodskap aan jong spelers is eenvoudig: werk hard, wees betroubaar en gee altyd 100%. Niemand sien elke oefening of ekstra sessie wat jy insit nie, maar dit is juis daardie dinge wat die verskil maak. Bly geduldig, hou aan glo in jouself en moenie opgee wanneer dinge moeilik raak nie—dit is juis daardie tye wat jou bou.
Dankie aan Hard Bodies Gym vir die ondersteuning en die geleentheid om my storie te deel. Ek hoop dit kan ander inspireer om aan te hou werk en hul drome na te jaag.
ENGLISH translation -
From Cradock to the Pumas – A Journey of Growth, Grit and Faith
My rugby journey began as a young boy at Cradock Primary School, where my love for the game started at an early age. What began as pure enjoyment gradually grew into a bigger dream — to test myself at a higher level and become the best version of myself.
After primary school, I attended Hoër Landbouskool Marlow, where I played first-team rugby for two years. During that time, I also represented my province at U/16, U/17 and U/18 level. Those experiences gave me valuable exposure and helped shape me as a player.
My next step was Nelson Mandela University (NMU). My first year there was challenging, as I played under a coach who overlooked me and didn’t really believe in me as a player. Things changed when Coach David Manuel took over. He believed in my potential, gave me an opportunity and helped me grow both as a player and as a person. That belief played a major role in my development.
I went on to represent Eastern Province at U/20 and U/21 level, where I also had the privilege of serving in a leadership role. At the age of 21, I was called up to the senior EP side. From there, I worked my way up step by step, always focusing on improving and making the most of every opportunity.
Today, I’m incredibly grateful to have a contract with the Pumas — something that did not happen overnight, but through hard work, discipline and perseverance.
What drives me is the desire to get better every single day and to test myself against the best. I believe in continuous growth and never settling for mediocrity.
I also firmly believe that none of this would have been possible without God’s grace. He carried me through difficult times and gave me the strength to keep going when things became tough.
I’m incredibly thankful for my wife, who motivated and supported me through difficult seasons. I also want to thank my parents and in-laws for their unconditional support throughout my journey — it makes a bigger difference than people realise.
My message to young players is simple: Work hard, be dependable and always give 100%. Nobody sees every extra training session or the hours of work you put in behind the scenes, but those are the things that ultimately make the biggest difference.
Stay patient. Keep believing in yourself. And never give up when things get difficult — those are the moments that build you.
Thank you to Hard Bodies Gym for the support and for giving me the opportunity to share my story. I hope it inspires others to keep working hard and chasing their dreams with everything they have.
