'Another Varsity Cup success story'
Western Province backline coach Robbie Fleck believes Juan de Jongh's elevation to the Springbok squad is yet another feather in the cap of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.
De Jongh, who started the 2008 Varsity Cup Final for the Maties, is on the verge of becoming the first-ever Varsity Cup Springbok - when he takes to the field against the Leicester Tigers on Friday night - and Fleck could not be happier.
Of course, Fleck is wearing two hats here; having been in charge of the successful UCT backline in the Varsity Cup for two seasons and, more recently, coaching De Jongh - at Western Province - during the 2009 Currie Cup.
"It's just unbelievable for Juan and I'm very happy for him," Fleck told varsitycup.co.za.
"Six months ago not many people would've known much about Juan de Jongh. But he took his chances at Western Province with both hands this season and now he is on the cusp of playing for his country against the champions of English rugby.
"It's a big opportunity for him and one that he richly deserves."
Fleck is tipping De Jongh for bigger and better things in the future, but - for now - he would like to see the 21-year-old handled with care as he begins the long and winding road that is the tricky ascent to top level rugby.
"We can't push him too much - at provincial, Super 14 or Springbok level," warned Fleck.
"A player's first year is always easier than his second or third seasons - but with Jaque Fourie possibly on his way here [to WP and the Stormers], Juan could well have the opportunity to learn from the best outside centre in the world.
"Juan will get his chances in 2010, of that I have no doubt, but he cannot be expected to step into the Super 14 and dominate from the word go. Having a wise head like Jaque around would be the ideal scenario for a young talent like that," he added.
But De Jongh's rapid rise to the Green & Gold aside, the Varsity Cup has produced its fair share of stars in a very short space of time.
Kyle Brown (South Africa) and Mat Turner (England), both of whom are Ikey Tigers stars, have been making waves on the IRB Sevens circuit, whilst their former UCT captain JJ Gagiano has already played a handful of Test matches for the USA Eagles.
Elsewhere, here in SA, a number of Varsity Cup players have also stepped up - seamlessly - to Currie Cup duty, whilst many other top Varsity Cup performers have also become highly sought-after players in terms of other unions' recruitment plans.
"There is no doubt that the Varsity Cup is becoming the best breeding ground for future stars," enthused Fleck.
"The Vodacom Cup produced a few players early on, and a guy like Gaffie du Toit springs to mind here, but the Varsity Cup has ensured that other players don't slip through the cracks - as they have in the past. It's been an incredibly successful tournament based on talent identification alone."
The 2010 Varsity Cup kicks-off on February 1, 2010.