From school fields to test stadiums: Nine Springboks in Rassie’s squad hail from rugby-rich Cape Winelands
From school fields to test stadiums: Nine Springboks in Rassie’s squad hail from rugby-rich Cape Winelands
The rich rugby culture in the Cape Winelands is producing talented Springboks.
702’s John Perlman speaks with Sean Erasmus, Head of Rugby at Paarl Boys High.
Why does the Cape Winelands produce so many Springboks rugby players ?
Of the 37 players named in Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ squad for the Rugby Championship, nine went to high school in the Cape Winelands.
Of the current squad, this includes Willie le Roux, Edwill van der Merwe, Damian Willemse, Handre Pollard, Grant Williams, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, and Canan Moodie.
With a strong rugby region, it is not really surprising, says Erasmus.
“The culture and the environment speaks to boys having more ball in hand more often and playing more.”
– Sean Erasmus, Head of Rugby – Paarl Boys High.
“You can go to any of these schools in the Western Cape, Saturday after Saturday, and the stand will be packed with all the kids from the school because they want to be there.”
– Sean Erasmus, Head of Rugby – Paarl Boys High
