Jarryd Sage - Wynberg captain
Two of the oldest schools in South Afroica meet in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday – SACS ands Wynberg, near neighbours and ancient rivals. Jarryd Sage captains Wynberg. This profile is written by Mike de Bruyn.
Jarryd Sage’s late inclusion in the Western Province Under-18 team to contest Craven Week in Polokwane next month is just reward for the Wynberg Boys’ High first XV captain with oodles of talent at his disposal.
Former Springbok David Stewart believes that the talented centre has what it takes to reach the highest level in the game. “I’ve been watching schoolboy rugby for many decades and few have caught the eye as Jarryd has,” said Stewart, who played 13 Tests and 20 matches in all for the Boks between 1960-65. “What makes me think he has it, is his ability to make things happen when there is nothing on. You get to see his real class shine through when his side’s getting little ball against stronger opponents and he’s able to make gaps and force his way through them carrying defenders on his back.
“There’s a lot of Jean de Villiers in Jarryd’s rugby DNA. The youngster has scored more than a handful of tries already this season, mostly homemade. But he has to be careful in how he goes about moving his career forwards once he matriculates this year.”
Wynberg’s director of rugby Kevin Musikanth and 1st XV coach Justin van Winkel echoed Stewarts thoughts. “Jarryd is a centre that can go all the way as a rugby player. He has a great work ethic. He works hard in the off season and takes his rugby extremely seriously. He has all the physical attributes to become a future rugby star,” said Musikanth"
“Jarryd has scored 11 tries this season and has been the key figure in the success of the team so far this season,” Van Winkel said. “He is a well-respected player and continues to develop as a captain. I have relied on him heavily this season and he has stepped up to the plate.”
Well, the good news is that Sage has been snapped up by the Western Province Rugby Institute in Stellenbosch. It is a wise move from the union, as this youngster would have been head-hunted by unions such as the Sharks and the Bulls without question. “My decision is to continue my rugby career here in the Cape,” said the 17-year-old, who bagged a hat-trick of tries against once mighty Bishops last Saturday.
Having originally been selected to represent the WP Academy, Sage had this to say before his promotion to the Craven Week team. “Wherever I end up playing this year – be it Craven Week or Academy Week – would not make me angry or upset because I would be playing for my province which is an extreme achievement for me,” he said.
On hearing that he had made the 22-man Craven Week team on Friday, Sage went on to say that the step up in class was a pleasant surprise. “I have a lot of people to thank for making me the player I am today. My role models in my life would be my family because they have always been by my side through everything. Also, my grandfather Doug Hopwood [former Springbok No.8 who also went to Wynberg], who used to help me out with skills in the back garden at his house.
“As a player I strive for greatness; I want my game to always improve. I love the game of rugby and am passionate about the game. My goal for the future is to take things one step at a time and to focus on the jobs at hand that I need to succeed in.
“Next year I will be going to the WP Institute. It is an extreme honour to be going there. My academic goals are to get good matric results that will allow me to study a BCom in accounting at a university that would best suit me. Academics to me are very important and I feel they go hand in hand with sport.”
By Mike de Bruyn (Weekend Argus)
