Q&A with Southern Kings’ Jaco van Tonder
Rugby 15 caught up with Southern Kings utility back, Jaco van Tonder. Not being part of the Southern Kings squad that traveled to New Zealand, van Tonder took time out of his busy training schedule for a quick Q&A.
R15: You represented the SWD Eagles at the 2007 Under-16 Grant Khomo Week, as well as at the 2008 and 2009 Under-18 Craven Week tournaments before joining the Sharks junior ranks in 2010. What is your earliest rugby memory? When did the bud bite?
JvT :”My earliest rugby memory was getting the ball and running around a few players to score five tries in a primary school match.”
R15: Who had the biggest influence on your career so far?
JvT: Biggest influence must be Shaun Everitt, he was my coach form U19 until up to I left the Sharks. He gave me that freedom to play my game and he always backed me and also Brenden Venter who gave me a change in 2013.
R15: You’ve been labeled as a utility back, what is your favourite position and what would you say is your biggest strength on the pitch?
JvT: “Definitely fullback, I can read the game quite well and sometimes I have a good kicking foot (chuckles).”
R15: What is the highlight of your career so far?
JvT: “There’s been a few, my school years when we won the Craven Week in 2008 with SWD against Free State and my senior years definitely 2013 when we won the Currie Cup and just being part of that squad.”
R15: What message would you give to young up and coming rugby players?
JvT: “Always work hard, never give up and don’t listen to what people say. There will always be negatives, show them wrong.”
R15: What are your thoughts on the new Super Rugby format?
JvT: “I think it is quite well set up, especially the bonus point system it can make the game very interesting. The only downside is that you only play our country’s teams and for us, the Southern Kings, we only play the New Zealand teams along with the Jaguares and Sunwolves, so we not playing any Australian teams.”
R15: Just a last question, they say “beards are the new six pack”, what is the story behind yours?”
JvT: “Yoh, I got that a couple of times. When I had my injury last year, I said to myself and actually made a bet with one of my mates. I’m going to grow my beard until I play my first match, but that now has happened and I’m actually liking my beard, so I’m just gonna keep it now.”
Rugby15 would just like to say, thank you for your time and all the best for the remainder of the season.
Written: Pierre McLeod
Photo: Zane Hobson
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