Glenwood's new Scot
Matt Torrance, born in Durban and schooled at Glenwood, will start for Scotland Under-20 at Netherdale in Galashiels on Friday night.
Torrance played scrumhalf for Glenwood, KwaZulu-Natal Under-16 (at the Grant Khomo Week) and then represented KZN at the 2010 Craven Week.
Scouted and recruited by the Ospreys he then went to Wales. He is qualified to play for Scotland through his father and for Wales through his mother who was born in Blaenavon but has been in South Africa since her early teens.
Set on going places in rugby, Torrance signed for the Ospreys in 2010 and so came to Wales, saying: “I’ve come here to develop as a rugby player, it’s a big challenge for me and I’m a bit anxious about what is in store for me, but very excited at the same time. It’s the first time I’ve ever been to Wales but it’s been brilliant, everyone has been very welcoming, making me feel at home.
“It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m really excited about working with the coaches at the Ospreys to help me become a better player.”
But he said he really wanted to play for Scotland.
“I’m so proud to be starting at scrumhalf for Scotland on Friday night, very proud to be playing for Scotland.
“Although I’m playing full-time in Wales and grew up in South Africa, I’ve always thought of Scotland as my home nation, when I was young I thought about being able to play for Scotland. My dad is hugely proud.”
He has had to adapt to a different game, admitting: “Playing in South Africa we had hard ground, very little wind and a dry ball. You learn to play quick ball and it’s easier to get the ball wider.
“So I’ve had to adjust my game and get used to the conditions, particularly in Wales, where it feels like it just rains all the time! But you just adapt.
“That’s where, for Scotland, our forwards have been great, particularly in the second half against Wales, providing a great platform to get the ball moving despite the greasy conditions.”
Torrance came on in the second half against Wales, substituting for Scott Steele who cannot play against France as he is required at Leicester Tigers.
He expects that France will be tough: “They will be an ‘in your face’ kind of team, very similar to the way the Welsh played. We have been working on a way to beat that and we’re confident that if we stick to the game plan we’ll surprise them.”
