Back to school for Bok Juan
FNB Maties centre Juan de Jongh, the first Springbok Varsity Cup product, has paid tribute to the tournament for his rapid rise to rugby prominence.
Having played his way into the Bok squad after an outstanding Currie Cup campaign for WP last year, De Jongh was one of many big names present at Monday's 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International launch at UJ.
The talented centre, who will be hoping to force his way into the Stormers line-up this year, told MC Breyton Paulse (both pictured, right): "The Varsity Cup taught me many things.
"When I played I had guys like Bennie Booysen to look up to, the elder statesmen in the team - the Percy Montgomerys of the side," he added.
"Those older guys taught me plenty, after all you can't buy that experience."
The 21-year-old also praised the Varsity Cup - now in its third season - for allowing players the opportunity to express themselves freely on the field of play.
"The step up to Currie Cup rugby is obviously bigger," he said, "but there is a bit less pressure in the Varsity Cup, which means players are able express themselves a bit more."
De Jongh might be the only Bok to have been discovered in the Varsity Cup thus far, but the tournament has produced numerous other stars.
Over 100 players have gone on to earn professional contracts since the inaugural Varsity Cup, whilst a team like UCT has produced an American Test international (JJ Gagiano) and two international Sevens players - Kyle Brown (South Africa) and Mat Turner (England).
The Maties, too, have produced an SA Sevens Bok in Chase Minnaar, whilst precocious centre talent Robert Ebersohn - who is also a Sevens Bok - cut his teeth at Varsity Cup level for the Shimlas in 2008.
UJ's Earl Lewis is training with the Lions' Super 14 squad, whilst Johan Jackson (Tuks) and Pieter Engelbrecht (UCT) could also join him in Dick Muir's team.
This list of players can go on... and on, but now the names of new Stormers coaches Matt Proudfoot and Robbie Fleck, who coached in the Varsity Cup in 2008 and 2008 & '09, respectively, can also be added to this already esteemed list.
"To me, the Varsity Cup is not just about making these young guys better players... it's about making them better people too," Proudfoot - now the Stormers' forwards coach - told varsitycup.co.za.
"The next generation of rugby stars and business people are developed in the Varsity Cup and I think the various sponsors involved could not get a better return if they tried - they're clearly investing in the right place.
"The age group of the Varsity Cup is a key time in a young adult's life, be it as an aspiring sports person or academic, and this tournament has already proven that it's the perfect breeding ground for talented rugby players wanting to take the next step."
The 2010 Varsity Cup kicks-off on Monday, February 1 with two double-headers in Port Elizabeth and Pretoria - Back Your Boytjies!