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De Jongh first Varsity Cup Bok
Friday, November 06
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Western Province outside centre Juan de Jongh will become the first product of the Varsity Cup to don the Green and Gold when the Springboks face Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Friday evening.
The electrifying midfielder has had a breakthrough year with the Cape-based union in 2009 and was this week named in the starting line-up alongside Wynand Olivier for South Africa’s opening tour match against Leicester.
The talented 21-year-old started in the 2008 Varsity Cup final, in which he suffered a serious hip injury that required him to undergo surgery. Upon his return, he suffered a broken ankle, but the determined De Jongh recovered and played an integral role in taking Western Province to the Currie Cup semi-finals.
Western Province backline coach Robbie Fleck, who also coached De Jongh at Maties, is thrilled with De Jongh’s inclusion in the national side and credits the Varsity Cup for unearthing the youngster.
“It's just unbelievable for Juan and I'm very happy for him," Fleck told varsitycup.co.za.
"Six months ago not many people would've known much about Juan de Jongh. But he took his chances at Western Province with both hands this season and now he is on the cusp of playing for his country against the champions of English rugby.
"It's a big opportunity for him and one that he richly deserves."
Fleck, a former Province and Springbok centre in his own right, believes it is vital that De Jongh is managed well.
"We can't push him too much - at provincial, Super 14 or Springbok level," warned Fleck.
"A player's first year is always easier than his second or third seasons - but with Jaque Fourie possibly on his way here [to WP and the Stormers], Juan could well have the opportunity to learn from the best outside centre in the world.
"Juan will get his chances in 2010, of that I have no doubt, but he cannot be expected to step into the Super 14 and dominate from the word go. Having a wise head like Jaque around would be the ideal scenario for a young talent like that," he added.
Fleck sees the Varsity Cup as the breeding ground of young, up-and-coming players like De Jongh.
"There is no doubt that the Varsity Cup is becoming the best breeding ground for future stars," said Fleck.
"The Vodacom Cup produced a few players early on, and a guy like Gaffie du Toit springs to mind here, but the Varsity Cup has ensured that other players don't slip through the cracks - as they have in the past. It's been an incredibly successful tournament based on talent identification alone."
With thanks to varsitycup.co.za.
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I remember watching him play for the Maties last year & the year before and it almost seemed unfair to the opposition!
I'm very excited about De Jongh though, hopefully WP will keep him now at all costs. With Jaques Fourie coming down to the Cape Juan de Jongh should actually be made to slot into the nr. 12 position (although he's great at 13, such a tough decision!), and Des Fountain should be the replacement for both of them, he's also a great talent!
SA Rugby on the up baby! So many options from all the top unions & even Griquas now, the days of New Zealand dominating World Rugby is well & truly OVER! It took us a while, but we've finally caught up to the professional game during the last 6 years, on both domestic and international level.