Grant de Jager, the newest addition to the Blitzboks, is not just filling a jersey; he’s chasing a childhood dream that sparked when he was just 13, watching the Olympic Games. Fast forward to 2025, and after proving his mettle in the Rugby Africa Sevens in Mauritius, De Jager secured a spot with South Africa's beloved sevens squad. Now, he's setting his sights on making an impression big enough to play at Cape Town in December.
Coming from a background in Western Province's U19 and U21 teams, and bolstered by his academic and athletic pursuits at Stellenbosch University, De Jager's blend of brains and brawn makes him an intriguing prospect. "I have a firm belief in hard work and one thing I pride myself on is that I will always try and outwork everyone else on the field," he stated confidently.
"That was the first thing that I picked up from the team since I joined and that is their willingness to work harder and harder."
De Jager vividly remembers the day he decided to aim for the Springbok Sevens, inspired by the team’s performance at the Rio Olympics. Years later, when Coach Philip Snyman called to offer him a contract, De Jager's first call was to his mom, reminding her of his long-held ambition to represent his country at the Olympics.
While the Olympic dream is a beacon for the future, De Jager is currently focused on honing his skills as a hooker under the tutelage of seasoned players like Ryan Oosthuizen and David Britz. "Work rate will not be an issue for me, just making sure I do my job well is things I will be looking to gain experience from Ryan and David from," he added.
De Jager’s enthusiasm was palpable as he recounted his experiences playing against Germany in pre-season matches, an opportunity that gave him a firsthand look at the caliber of his teammates. He’s not booking his parents' flights just yet, but playing in Cape Town, where he once watched the Blitzboks triumph, would be a full-circle moment for the rising star.
The Blitzboks' upcoming schedule is packed, with tournaments across the globe from Dubai to Bordeaux, promising a thrilling season ahead for fans and players alike.
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Grant de Jager, the newest addition to the Blitzboks, is not just filling a jersey; he’s chasing a childhood dream that sparked when he was just 13, watching the Olympic Games. Fast forward to 2025, and after proving his mettle in the Rugby Africa Sevens in Mauritius, De Jager secured a spot with South Africa's beloved sevens squad. Now, he's setting his sights on making an impression big enough to play at Cape Town in December.
Coming from a background in Western Province's U19 and U21 teams, and bolstered by his academic and athletic pursuits at Stellenbosch University, De Jager's blend of brains and brawn makes him an intriguing prospect. "I have a firm belief in hard work and one thing I pride myself on is that I will always try and outwork everyone else on the field," he stated confidently.
"That was the first thing that I picked up from the team since I joined and that is their willingness to work harder and harder."
De Jager vividly remembers the day he decided to aim for the Springbok Sevens, inspired by the team’s performance at the Rio Olympics. Years later, when Coach Philip Snyman called to offer him a contract, De Jager's first call was to his mom, reminding her of his long-held ambition to represent his country at the Olympics.
While the Olympic dream is a beacon for the future, De Jager is currently focused on honing his skills as a hooker under the tutelage of seasoned players like Ryan Oosthuizen and David Britz. "Work rate will not be an issue for me, just making sure I do my job well is things I will be looking to gain experience from Ryan and David from," he added.
De Jager’s enthusiasm was palpable as he recounted his experiences playing against Germany in pre-season matches, an opportunity that gave him a firsthand look at the caliber of his teammates. He’s not booking his parents' flights just yet, but playing in Cape Town, where he once watched the Blitzboks triumph, would be a full-circle moment for the rising star.
The Blitzboks' upcoming schedule is packed, with tournaments across the globe from Dubai to Bordeaux, promising a thrilling season ahead for fans and players alike.