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PRINCE OF THE FIELD Herschel Jantjies: From UWC Varsity Shield Champ to lifting the Rugby World Cup By Aidan
H
erschel Jantjies has had the best two years of his life. After starring in the FNB Varsity Shield final and helping UWC win the tournament in 2017, he then lifted the Webb Ellis Cup with the Springboks at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. Just two months before he got the call to represent the national team in the 2019 World Cup, Jantjies made his Springbok debut against Australia with an outstanding performance where he scored twice to help the Boks to a 35-17 bonus-point victory in July 2019. The mercurial, quick-thinking scrumhalf’s performance was described as one of the best in the position for a very long time. Herschel told IOL.co.za: “The origin of it all was UWC. If it wasn’t for Udubs and the late coach Chester Williams, I wouldn’t have been standing here. He gave me the opportunity to study and gain some game time. He gave me a lifeline and, luckily for me, it worked out. “I’ve come a long way. My career changed a lot. I was at [Western] Province and would train all year just to play 30 minutes for the whole year. So I’m really grateful for all my blessings.” Born in Kylemore, Stellenbosch, Jantjies attended Paul Roos Gymnasium before going on to play for Western Province (WP) at the under-16 level in 2012. The following two years – 2013 and 2014 – he featured in the Craven Week tournaments. He went on to play for the under-19 and under-21 WP sides, and made his full Province debut against the Leopards in a 2016 Currie Cup qualification series.
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A portrait of Herschel Jantjies by Garth Cupido.
