CPUT RUGBY PLAYER ACHIEVES “BIG”

Joshua Paris

Joshua Paris hails from Cape Town, Mitchells Plain. He studied a Diploma in Public Administration, allowing him to work in various departments such as HR, Finance and Law.

Paris describes his story as “not the usual rugby players story”. He was always amongst the biggest of his friends and was really not interested in rugby. His rugby career only started when he was in Grade 11. He played for CPUT for the past 2 years, in his favourite position – lock. Playing in this position motivated him knowing that he played in the same position as world class players, Eben Etzebeth, Maro Itoje and Brodie Retallick and one day he could have the opportunity to go head to head with these players.

Paris says despite his size, he is known to have quite a large amount of pace and speed, and the fact that he’s never afraid to tackle gives him the physical edge when giving those big hits and runs.

His CPUT rugby coach, Coach Alistair Theys, always told him to trust the process. His mind-set is therefore not to think long term, but to focus on how to currently better himself as a rugby player, putting in 100% at every gym and training session, and if A successful rugby career comes from it, it will be the cherry on top.

Paris has decided to further his education journey at the University of Free State and was fortunate to receive a bursary. Paris was happy to get the opportunity to further his education and get the opportunity to play rugby for Shimlas at the same time.

Paris says it’s a dream come true to be able to play in varsity cup as that’s where some Springboks have started their professional journeys. Paris highlights that Shimlas have shown that they are capable of winning the competition, therefore, being involved in this institution would help him as a rugby player to reach greater heights.

Paris says that he will always remember CPUT rugby. He will miss the brotherhood we between players, the ever supporting fans and his personal favourite, singing amagwijos with the team.

Paris ends off his interview by mentioning that he’s not sure what the future holds, but a dream of his would be to play professional rugby, specifically in South African or play overseas and experience the world.

CPUT wishes Joshua Paris all the best in his new journey ahead!

Achievements Include

Player that rocks against TUT (2022)

Part of the Tony Stoop Rhinos that toured France (2018)

Invited to a WP invitational team (2021)

Following his invitation to join the Western Province U/21, Matthew says: “It’s an opportunity to take my rugby to the next level and learn and improve my skill set… I am quite proud of myself for this achievement, but I also know that it’s just a stepping stone to go to the next level of rugby.” He also concedes that his career journey has been “very up and down.”

“It’s tough because you always try to improve yourself and stay disciplined. I’d say what helped me a lot in my career so far is the support I’ve had from my father because he always pushes me and tells me that I can achieve whatever I put my mind to and also all the coaches who’ve I worked with throughout the year and have helped me improve.”

The Kuils River-born 21-year-old CPUT rugby player attended many different primary schools but he finished his primary school career in Pretoria at Laerskool Doringkloof. After finishing high school, Matthew went to the Western Province Rugby Academy in 2020 before joining CPUT in 2021.

“Well funnily enough, my mother didn’t want me to play rugby in the beginning and my family pretty much had to beg her to let me [play] and I started playing in Grade 4. I just wanted to play rugby because I remember sitting with my father watching the Springboks play and I just wanted to play,” Matthew continues. “Just sitting and watching rugby with [my] father made me love the game and the more I played the more my passion for the game grew.”

He is motivated to play rugby by the constant need to be better and to just play the game. “The motivation to better myself as a person as well as all the important people in my life.”

Winning the Varsity Shield as a first-year student for CPUT in 2021 is one of his best memories of his career. However, this didn’t come without any challenges. “I’ve faced many challenges from being told I’m too small to being told I’m overweight and this dips in confidence and during the outbreak of covid-19 I wanted to stop playing but I had people in my life that kept me going and pushing through.”

Matthew has many people who are mentor figures in his life. “To name a few, Alastair Theys, Head Coach: CPUT, Jason Hector, Coach: WP and Western Province Rugby Academy, Jerome Paarwater: Coach: WP, Paul Anthony: Director of rugby: Pretoria Boys’ High. All of these men have helped me grow as a player and pushed me to get be where I am now.”