FNB Player of the Week - Janus Terblanche of HTS Middelburg

Player Profile

HTS Middelburg have climbed gradually into the Top 20 schools in South Africa over the last few seasons. In testament to their growing stature they play Affies on Saturday in the quarterfinal of the Michelin Series. Janus Terblanche is the key player in the HTS Middelburg team, having last week been selected as the best scrumhalf on show at the Oakdale Rugby Week. He is our FNB Player of the Week.

Izak Johannes Jacobus Terblanche was born an hour outside Middelburg on 16 March 1988 and attended Julian Muller Laerskool in Groblersdal. He moved into the hostel at HTS Middelburg in Grade 8 (Std 6) and has obviously excelled, as he is a school and hostel prefect. He represented the Mpumulanga Academy team last year and is hopeful of going one better and representing Craven Week this year. Like most youngsters nowadays he is waiting to see what happens at Craven Week, in terms of offers from universities and unions, before he decides what he will do in 2007. 

A big physical scrumhalf in the Joost van der Westuizen mould, Janus prefers to model his play on New Zealander legend Justin Marshall. Janus prides himself on his slick service and cover defence and in addition is working hard to add a strong blindside break like Marshall’s to his attacking repertoire. Janus has a high work-rate and never stops playing, consequently says coach Poerie van Rooyen he is the heart of the team, providing much needed tempo for the team.

HTS Middelburg’s strength this year is their backline and they beat Affies 33-21 earlier in the season. Since then though they have lost three vital players, including 2005 Mpumulanga Craven Week representatives Clifford Potgieter and flyhalf Ampie Korff, to long-term injuries. These injuries have set them back and Janus admitted it had affected the team. Coming off losses at Oakdale to Outeniqua and Marlow the players are slightly nervous and know that they are in a re-building phase. There may be some tough times ahead but HTS Middelburg are still a top rugby school and very good team.

Times may be tough but they hold a mental advantage over Affies and anything can happen in a one off quarterfinal!