Ruan Nortjé has never forgotten the small kid from Pretoria West who had a big dream, and he reminds himself of it every time he pulls on a Vodacom Bulls jersey.
Daspoort to the west of Pretoria is generally known for two things. The Daspoort Tunnel, and the hard men who come out of a hardworking suburb where life isn’t fair and it teaches you this early on.
But Daspoort is now also well known for Ruan Cronjé – the kid who came from those tough streets with a dream that took him all the way to Loftus Versfeld. That doesn’t always happen on that side of the tunnel, and Nortjé reminds himself of this every single day he pulls on a Vodacom Bulls jersey and leads this team in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
Wildest dreams
“For a small boy from Daspoort – in my wildest dream I never thought I’d captain this team,” he says.
“When I think of this team, I just think of a small boy who had a big dream, and of lot of other boys with big dreams who just want to play for this team. It’s so special and such an honour just to represent a team like this.
“The biggest thing for me is always to appreciate the privilege I have to play in this jersey, and that’s why I play like it’s the last time I’ll have this opportunity. I just go out to enjoy it, and be the little boy that dreamt of this 20 years ago. That will always stay my motto. To go out and be the little kid who dreamt of this.”
Young gun to warrior captain
When the Vodacom United Rugby Championship first kicked off a new era in the game as the ultimate rugby competition between the northern and southern hemispheres, Nortjé was a young gun in this Vodacom Bulls team. Almost four seasons later, he’s a battle-hardened warrior who now leads a team that has grown together.
“It’s scary to think there have been four seasons already. It’s been special to play for four seasons and without too many injuries. It’s crazy. It’s my wildest dreams that have come true. It’s been a big honour to lead the Vodacom Bulls. There are a lot of players around me though that help me tremendously. I’m just blessed to be in the position, but a lot of credit has to go to a lot of leaders around me that help and guide me into the right positions and the right things to say.”
It’s been a journey of incredible personal growth for Nortjé as well, who has drawn praise for the way he’s stepped up not only in his own play in this competition which earned him a Springbok call-up, but also in his leadership.
Back yourself
“The biggest thing I’ve taken from this journey is you have to back yourself. At the start of my career I was maybe somebody who doubted myself because I didn’t always believe that I could play where I am at the moment. It’s crazy to see how nothing is impossible. Every time I get an opportunity to lead is an opportunity to grow more and learn from those around me, and by doing the right thing through my actions on the field.
“When I speak to the team, I always just try and be honest and to speak from the heart, and not to think too much about it. And to ask in prayer to say the right things at the right time and share the right words with the guys.
“Every time you look back it’s scary to see how quickly the time has passed, and you wonder when it will end and when the paths of this group will start going other ways. It just reminds you to stay in the moment and appreciate what you have now.”
Thanks to Nortjé, there’s now another kid in Daspoort who knows that the road to Loftus Versfeld isn’t such an impossible dream after all.
The post The kid from Daspoort who is living his Loftus dream appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.