Ikeys hooker on trial with Lions

Talented Ikey Tigers hooker Dayne Jans has been handed a trial with the Golden Lions.

Jans, the starting hooker for UCT in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, would have been a shoo-in for the Western Province Under-20 team this year, but he could – now – be lost to the Lions.

“I’m obviously very pleased for Dayne,” said UCT head coach John Dobson to varsitycup.co.za. “It’s yet another one added to the list of Ikeys players destined for higher honours.

“It began last year with the likes of Mat Turner, JJ Gagiano and Kyle Brown… and now we have a talented youngster like Dayne that’s been spotted by another province.”

Dobson added: “I will be following his progress closely and I have no doubt he will make an impact at the Lions.

“Not only is he a promising player, with a physical presence, but he’s also a character – a typical hooker! – and a very likeable guy.”

Jans, who is not yet 21, will join his former UCT teammate, centre Pieter Engelbrecht at the Lions – the duo no doubt spotted by ex-UCT coaching consultant Jake White, who, of course, is now the Lions’ consulting Director of Rugby.

“Jake obviously liked what he saw in Piet and now Dayne during the Varsity Cup,” said Dobson, “it must mean we’re doing something right at UCT!

“But it proves once again that UCT is fast becoming a place to get spotted, in terms of higher honours… At the same time, however, it’s also becoming increasingly difficult for us to build a side – especially when it comes to the Varsity Cup. Maybe we have to be a bit more of a closed shop.”

Brown (SA Sevens), Gagiano (USA Eagles) and Turner (England Sevens) have all taken the step up to international honours since the 2008 Varsity Cup, whilst this year Martin Muller (lock) and Tiger Bax (utility back) both made their Stormers debuts.

The demand at UCT does not seem to be ending with its players, however.

Dobson, himself, is the target of a few European clubs, whilst UCT assistant coach Robbie Fleck has already been snapped up by Western Province as their backline coaching guru.

“The Varsity Cup has certainly helped to put these guys in the shop window,” said Dobson, who is expected to make an announcement about his own coaching future in the next few weeks.

“I just hope we have enough players left here come the 2010 Varsity Cup!”