Rugby journey:

Theo’s goal is to reach the highest level possible

“To be able to represent my country one day in a Wallabies jersey would be an absolute dream come true.....”

Theo Fourie (RGS 2017) discovered an early passion for rugby union when he was growing up in South Africa.

“Rugby has always been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, but my first memories playing as a 5-year-old is where it all started,’’ Theo said. Fast forward to 2023 and Theo is now a squad member with the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby franchise.

Theo was fortunate to go to the Rebels at the end of 2020, on a train and trial deal, and was then the hooker rewarded with a contract at the end of that pre-season.

“Since then I have continued to play club rugby for Souths in Brisbane as well as training in Melbourne with the Rebels and continuing to compete for debut. I recently re-signed for the 2023 season as part of the full-time squad,’’ Theo said.

“It is a really exciting time down in Melbourne. We have had a few new guys sign with the team and it has been a really tough pre-season so far. We have really ambitious goals for next season and being in the top four competing for the title is our main focus.

“Individually, I just want to contribute as much as I can to the squad to help achieve that and compete each week to be a part of the team.”

Theo said, as with any career, his ultimate goal with rugby was to reach the highest level possible.

“To be able to represent my country one day in a Wallabies jersey would be an absolute dream come true, but there are a lot of things to work towards and achieve before that, so I try to just focus on just the next step in the journey,’’ Theo said.

In the meantime, Theo is continuing to love playing rugby union.

“What I love most about rugby is the mateship,’’ Theo said.

“Moving to a new club, school or town was always easy as rugby allowed me to make friends really quickly, and has introduced me to so many people over the years, many of whom are some of my closest mates now.”

After graduating from RGS in 2017, Theo played for Souths in Brisbane and in 2019 joined the Reds Academy which led to being selected in the Australian U20s squad for 2020. Theo was then picked up by the Rebels.

“During this time I’ve been lucky enough to travel all over Australia, as well as Fiji, New Zealand and Japan as a part of the Rebels,’’ Theo said.

“It has definitely been tough at times to pursue my dream of playing professional rugby,’’ Theo said.

“Moving away from home and my family was very challenging and rugby is a very competitive sport. What has kept me going over the years has definitely been the support my family and many others have given me during that journey as well as that goal to play professionally.”