'Veteran' Jackson up to speed for Tuks
Within the context of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, FNB Tuks fullback Johan Jackson arguably falls into the ‘veterans’ category. The 22-year-old from Rustenburg has a CV studded with achievements that most pundits would rubber-stamp as “impressive”.
Jackson was part of the 2006 SA Under-19 team that travelled to Dubai – a squad that not only featured the one and only Frans Steyn, but also fellow Varsity Cup participants such as Maties stars Hayden Groepes, Morné Jooste and Dabeon Draghoender, UJ’s André Smith and Edgar Maruthule, and the Shimlas’ Drew van Coller.
It is, however, his senior Provincial experience with the Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup) and Valke (Currie Cup), that makes him part of a reasonable minority of Varsity Cup players who have participated in top-level rugby.
Not surprisingly, the theme of experience almost finds itself intrinsically part of any comment Jackson makes about his career and rugby in general.
“I have been very blessed to have been exposed to senior Provincial rugby,” the Tuks fullback told varsitycup.co.za. “It is such a great experience, but it is also frighteningly overwhelming.”
The man from Hoërskool Rustenburg noted that the biggest lesson learnt so far from his stint in Provincial rugby was the pace of play, which was “new to (his) frame of reference.”
“Provincial rugby is very fast but it also teaches you the skill of having to lift your game. You can’t allow yourself to be mediocre if you are going to hold down your place in the team,” he explained.
Taking this notion further, the fullback (or centre… or wing!) provides an interesting take on what Provincial experience can add to individual and team success in the Varsity Cup.
“The selfsame skill of lifting your game is very important in the Varsity Cup,” he said.
“The tournament has created a bit of a pressurised environment where teams want to win on a weekly basis and I believe that teams need to raise their games (on this weekly basis) in order to reach great heights.
“If one can draw on that experience, or develop it, it would be very beneficial,” he added.
As proved by his performances in the past few weeks, it is clear that Jackson is already using the above-mentioned skill to good effect, which is rapidly rendering him as the kingpin of the Tuks backline.
Jackson admits that the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International has progressed to such an extent that its playing standard is close to that of Provincial rugby, necessitating in careful preparation off and concentration on the field – particularly in the case of his team, who are currently sitting pretty at the top of the log.
“It is great that we are currently in first place but we will need to keep focus. I think we are at 70% of where we want to be and we will improve with time.
“(But) our next game against the Ikeys will also tell us where we find ourselves playing-wise,” he said.
By Heinz Schenk
