prince of the field

cover story PRINCE OF THE FIELD

Herschel Jantjies: From UWC Varsity Shield Champ to lifting the Rugby World Cup

By Aidan Van Den Heever Image UWC Media

Herschel 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.

A portrait of Herschel Jantjies by Garth Cupido.

Jantjies holds the Rugby World Cup as Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and his teammates cheer.

While attending a 2020 Varsity Cup rugby match at his alma mater, Jantjies said passing the University during the World Cup Trophy Tour was special. “While I do not remember most of the tour around South Africa, coming back home, passing the gates of my university and seeing the people of UWC was a memory I’ll never forget.” In Kylemore, there is no prouder dad than Sammy Jantjies.

“The entire Kylemore community watched the 2019 Rugby World Cup final at the Kylemore Rugby Football Club (RFC) when the Boks faced England. Seeing my son lift the Webb Ellis Cup is something words cannot explain. My wife, Adeline, and I were immensely proud,” he says from the family’s Kylemore home.

“Herschel was always destined for greatness and once he was enrolled at Paul Roos Gymnasium, we could see that he was on his way to [donning] the Springbok jersey.”

While his son initially played in the fullback position for Paul Roos, Sammy Jantjies could already see Herschel’s vision and pace in the game, especially around the kinds of lines he was running. Yet it wasn’t only Paul Roos Gymnasium and WP Rugby that played a role in the younger Jantjies’ success. It was also his training and the level of competition at the UWC Rugby Club. While at UWC, he was

two months before he got the call for the 2019 world cup, jantjies made his springbok debut

enrolled for a Higher Certificate in Economic Development but was unable to complete his studies due to his WP rugby commitments at the time.

Jantjies was recruited by the late UWC Head Rugby Coach, Chester Williams, and his assistant coaches, but it was the 2017 Varsity Shield competition where he really made his breakthrough. That campaign saw UWC being crowned the Varsity Shield champions for the very first time in a final against the University of Fort Hare in April. UWC scored six tries to win with a 45-2 scoreline. Jantjies was the head surgeon, scoring a brace of tries during the historic evening at the UWC Stadium, which the players and staff affectionately call the “Operation Room”. He was later named player of the tournament.

“UWC gave Herschel his time to shine and it was really a life-changing opportunity for him,” beams the proud dad. “He wanted sufficient game time to show what he has to offer and that’s what UWC gave him.” UWC Rugby’s Interim Head Coach, Lionel Langenhoven, praises Jantjies’ performance during the 2019 Rugby World Cup, adding that it was a massive step for the young player’s future.

“Even though Herschel was Springbok Coach Rassie Erasmus’s second-choice scrumhalf, his performance will definitely give him the chance to play more in the future,” says Langenhoven.

“When we recruited Herschel for UWC, the coaches could see he had what it takes to play on the big stage. What really stood out for me was his personality and attitude. He is mature beyond his years and truly has the potential to be one of the greats in the sport.”

UWC’s Director of Sport, Mandla Gagayi, says it was clear from Herschel’s first match for the University that he was destined for stardom. “Having achieved a man of the match award for nearly every match he played, I was not surprised by his quick rise through the ranks and, ultimately, achieving the big prize.

“At UWC Sport, we are proud to have contributed to his growth and even prouder to have a World-Cup-winning alumnus in our books. I wish for him to stay humble and focus on building his and his family’s life,” adds Gagayi.