Rugby Captains. In our popular series about sports captains, Schools That Rock today talks to Christian Bernardü. Christian is the rugby captain of Curro Hermanus High School’s 1st rugby team. Christian today scores the eighteenth try in our series this year on Rugby Captains from high schools in South Africa.
“I’ve been passing the rugby ball with my dad for as long as I can remember. The first recollection I have of playing rugby would have been in Grade 1 when I was 6 years old. I like rugby because it is a team sport. I also love building a bond with my brothers on that field. The adrenaline rush you get when jogging onto the field with your brothers, and the supporters screaming their lungs out, is unmatched. The feeling of winning a game after putting in the blood, sweat and tears in and out of training is so rewarding, and I live for those moments and feelings.
Like most of us, the memories I have at 6 years old is naturally very patchy. However, I remember my first match like it was yesterday. Back in Grade 1 I was in a very big school. I wasn’t exactly Siya Kolisi or Eben Etzebeth, so I was playing D-team rugby. As the D-team, you don’t get a lot of game time, so eventually when we did, it was exhilarating and nerve-wracking simultaneously.
Before my first rugby game, my Ouma made me mac and cheese, because the pasta would give me lots of energy to score lots of tries. It was quite a gloomy day, and it started raining midway through our game, so my mom had some nice washing to do when we got home. As for the game itself, I don’t remember much other than losing our first game.
First time captain
The first time I officially jogged onto the field as rugby captain was sometime during my U13 season when I had to stand in for our injured captain. I was wearing the pink shorts as well because I was man of the match for the previous game. So naturally, jogging onto that field with the pink shorts in combination with being captain was a feeling like no other. I’ve also been elected vice-captain previously in my Grade 7 and Grade 11 years, but in my current matric year is the first time I was elected as captain.
Being rugby captain, my advice to beginners is to stay committed. Rugby is not a game that you can show up and play. It requires hours of preparation and training, or else you won’t play the game, the game will play you.
What position are you currently playing? What position have I not played would be a better question. I currently play as a loose forward. I often switch around in the forward to fill in for guys that are injured or absent. Furthermore I adore playing loose forward mainly for the fact that I don’t have to be in the middle of the scrum and am able to break away quickly.
Motivation
Motivation is the glue that keeps the team together. Together with comradery, we can keep our heads in the game and come back stronger going forward. After a tough loss it’s important to keep the morale of the boys high. Also come back to the next training practice in order to redeem ourselves in the next game.
A key ingredient to making a good rugby player is determination. You can’t have a functioning team that has players who don’t show up to practice and expect to play that weekend.
My key to success on the rugby field? When I step onto that field, I’m playing not only for my family on the field, but for the school that I represent. Every time I jog on, I am determined to put out a performance for the spectators and to do my team and school proud.
What inspires me every time I jog on the field, is to chase the feeling of victory in every single match. Wanting to come out victorious will result in you playing your absolute best and leaving your heart on the field from playing your heart out.
Most enjoyable game
Last season was a tough season. We weren’t winning as often as we were used to, so naturally the team morale was relatively low. We then played a 7’s match in which we thrashed the opposition with a cricket score game. I think almost all the boys got to score a try that game, so coming out victorious was a great confidence booster for the squad. That game gave me the most fun ever. For me most years, the first game of the season is always the most forgettable. I’ll admit saying that I’m not the fittest guy on the field come the first game. And nothings worse than playing a rugby match whilst you’re unfit.
The best rugby decisions I’ve made? I will never say no to a cheeky quick tap and go on the 5 meters, regardless of the outcome.
I don’t necessarily have a person that helps me after a tough game. Furthermore I prefer to self-reflect with myself and run the game through my head to analyse where I can improve in the next game.
My greatest rugby hero is Victor Matfield. Victor was a great captain on and off the field. Not only that, but he was also a world-class rugby player and a world-class person in general.
As most boys would want, I would love to conquer interschools this year. My team and I are yet to lose interschools from grade 7 forwards, so I would be thrilled to end off my school boy rugby career unbeaten at interschools.
Rugby after school
Playing rugby after school? Maybe play casual varsity rugby once at university. I don’t plan to take rugby far after my schoolboy career.
How I handle your responsibilities at rugby alongside social and academic responsibilities? Like my IT teacher, Mr Wilkinson, tells us: Work hard, play hard. I put in the work and the hours off the field so that I have the ability and the freedom to enjoy myself on the field.
My biggest single highlight of my rugby career so far was winning the Curro Western Cape regionals. We came into the competition as the smallest school there, the underdogs, and slayed giant schools that were three times bigger in numbers that we were. I have never experienced that moment of euphoria when the final whistle was blown before. Without a doubt my single biggest highlight so far.
During off season I like to focus my time and energy towards the gym to ensure I come back the following year bigger and better than last year.
The professional rugby player I would like to have coffee with, is Eben Etzebeth. Purely because he seems like such a chill guy to hang out with.
To describe myself in one word, I would say: hard-working
More School news: https://schoolsthatrock.co.za
Image supplied