Record breaking season for Daisies' Cilliers
EXCLUSIVE: Jakkie Cilliers, centre for the Bulls Daisies, loves kicking for poles, and behind the scenes, she had a 31-cap former Springbok flyhalf helping her hone her skills as a goalkicker.
She took time out of her busy schedule to talk to Annemie Bester about her short journey from the Leopards to the Springboks and her dreams of going to the World Cup in 2025.
Cilliers is the clear leader as the top points scorer in the Premier Division with 172 points this season. Second on the list is Chuma Qawe (Boland, 87) followed by Voice Ndou (WP, 84).
That is the most points ever in a season of the SA Rugby Women's Premier Division, with the previous record being 136 points.
On Saturday Cilliers will run out in the Final of the Women’s Premier Division against Western Province at Loftus Versfeld.
The Daisies centre’s love affair with the sport and kicking started late in life in 2021 when she was lured to train with the Leopards women's team in Potchefstroom while playing netball for the North West University.
The oval quickly won her heart and the same year she was called up to train with the Springbok women.
During those early days in Potchefstroom, she was lucky enough to draw on the expertise of Pretorius, who was the Leopards men’s head coach at the time.
"I had help in my first year of rugby, Andre taught me the basics," Ciliers told Rugby365 on Friday ahead of the big final.
"He made time for me and focussed just on my kicking abilities. From there I just always remember what he said and what we worked on.
"I kept on practicing week in and week out, focussing on the process, and believed that my talent would grow into 'perfection'.
"There is still a lot to learn and improve and I will keep on trusting the process, listen to advice from other coaches, and keep on practicing," she promised.
In the first year of her career, she represented the Springbok Women’s team on tour in Europe.
A year later she was called up to the Springbok Women’s Sevens in Dubai as the only uncapped player in the team after having been part of the Bok team that represented South Africa at the World Cup in New Zealand.
Looking ahead at the Final on Saturday, Cilliers was clear on what the Daisies needed to do to walk away with the trophy.
"We just need to stick to our plan and process.
“Be focussed on the next job and enjoy every moment.
"We have worked so hard this season and we need to believe that the hard work will pay off. Play for one another and for our families. We have come a long way this season and learned so much," she said.
Cilliers has her eyes firmly set on the World Cup in England next year but says a lot of hard work is still ahead if she wants to be in contention.
"I just need to keep on working hard. I know there is a lot of competition and everyone wants to be on that plane to England. The decision is not in my hands but how hard I work is."
Away from the pitch, Cilliers loves playing guitar, learning new songs and techniques and also writes for fun.
She hails from the Free State and says her family has many sporting talents although she is the first to become a professional athlete.
And if you wondered where the name ‘Jakkie’ comes from: "Jakkie is what people call me. My birth name is Jacomina. Jakkie comes from my grandmother."