Juandre has signed a two-year contract with Northampton Saints that will see him playing for us until the summer of 2010. He will not be qualified to play for England in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup - just by mentioning this, I think we can see where his mind is headed. He is young. He is talented. He is ambitious. If nothing else he is seen as the saviour of the Saints line-out but I think it fair to say that there is more than just that to this young man.

He was born and brought up in the Cape wine-growing region of Stellenbosch. He tells me that it is the best wine in the whole of Africa and who am I to disagree. Rugby is a way of life there and from highly competitive schools rugby through to the University side playing in the Premier League, Juandre was there; involved. While at Stellenbosch University he represented the Western Province Under 20s and made his full debut two years later.

Juandre is comfortable playing either side at lock, blind-side flanker or No 8. It is not where he plays - he just wants to play. At the end of the 2007 Currie Cup, like a herd of wildebeest, there was a lot of movement amongst the ranks of the big forwards. Juandre had a contract with the Blue Bulls in Pretoria where he spent 2008 getting the team to the Currie Cup Final.

The twin disappointments of losing the final and staying on the bench were lightened considerably by his next move. He was on his way to England. He was on his way to Northampton Saints.

Most of us who watch rugby that does not necessarily involve our beloved Saints are aware of the name of Victor Matfield. In his two years in Currie Cup, Juandre had come up against this giant of the modern game as an opponent and trained and played with him in the high veldt of Loftus Versfeld. It comes as no surprise that, even at his tender age, Juandre knows a thing or two about the line out. He had not stood in many of them in black, gold and green before we realised that, what had been a bit of a lottery for us, was once again beginning to look like a strength.

There are secrets and techniques that Juandre has learnt that he is prepared to share only with a very few people and even then, I suspect, they do not get the whole story. On a need-to-know-basis, you might say.

The differences between South Africa and England are marked. In one there is almost a rugby-playing caste. In the other rugby is a truly multi-cultural sport. It is amazing just how well everyone, from all their different backgrounds, gets on with one another. There is a tremendous team spirit and work ethic here at Saints. When I asked him to compare a Saints crowd with the cheerleaders in Pretoria, he had no hesitation in saying that the crowd at Franklins Gardens is fantastic. He did not really notice the cheerleaders but once we get going with our chanting and songs, it can be difficult to hear the calls. Prior to this his home grounds have been Newlands and Loftus Versfeld. They are wonderful grounds and it has been a privilege to play there but even with 20,000 and more inside them, these iconic stadiums cannot generate the atmosphere of a Saints crowd giving it full throat. It is awesome, it just makes you want to play - harder and better.

What about the characters in the squad? Juandre has been partnered with Nacho and Courtney, how does he regard those differing talents? He has nothing but absolute respect for Nacho. He is a fierce competitor and a real leader. On the other hand, he has a brilliant sense of humour which he uses to lighten the mood from time to time. Courtney is a young man with a lot of potential. Sometimes he gets the feeling that Courtney does not really understand how good he might become. Now there is an interesting thought.

We have a new entrant in the biscuit table. I told you that Juandre comes from a wine area; that might help to explain why his favourite biscuits are Salty Cracks. He has a fiancée who loves Marmite and finds no problem with it himself. It is edible.

His coaching tip is interesting and once again demonstrates the difference in culture between here and South Africa: always try to transfer the pressure to your opponents.

arw

26.02.2009