Herschel Jantjies: Small town, big dreams

This Kylemore local is about as real as it gets. With not a pretentious bone in his body, the sincere and savvy Springbok has managed to side-step his way into the big leagues. This one-to-watch player Zoom-chats with Tyler Setzer about life under lockdown and how he got to where he is today.

Herschel Jantjies radiates positivity and has the most contagious laugh. The 24-year-old rugby player snuck into the hearts of South Africans just as quickly as he arrived on the scene. With his broad grin, this scrumhalf who stands at 166cm tall, is hard not to love.

But what makes Jantjies even more likeable, is his humble beginnings. Most of his childhood was spent in Kylemore, a small farming community just outside of Stellenbosch. When the time came to go to high school, Herschel was overjoyed at the opportunity to attend Paul Roos Gymnasium (PRG) in Stellenbosch, a school known for producing some of the country’s best rugby players.

“For myself, coming from not such a big school, going to Paul Roos was amazing and a dream come true,” he says.

During his schooling years, Jantjies was hell-bent on achieving his goals. He was devoted to his sport and determined to make the most of his time at PRG.

“You can easily get caught up in [all the distractions]. Or you can go there, do what you set your mind to and achieve…,” he says.

His dedication paid off and after matric, Jantjies found himself a place at the coveted Western Province Rugby Institute, just down the road from Paul Roos.

Going global

After some time featuring in the Stormers squad, in July 2019, Jantjies made his international rugby debut, playing for the Springboks in their match against Australia. The then up-and-coming star scored two tries in the winning game, landing him considerable support from South African spectators.

Jantjies says he never imagined he would score in his debut, let alone manage two tries.

“It was emotional, but really amazing. Everything worked in my favour. It helped having my teammates around me too. Eben Etzebeth was captain, who is a great friend of mine, and Elton [Jantjies] was my fly-half. They kept me calm, because it is not something that happens every day,” he says.

Just a month later, in August, Jantjies was named a member of the SA squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, set to be hosted in Japan. Although eager to represent South Africa on foreign soil, Jantjies admits that the nerves were hard to shake.

“You can’t really mess up in the World Cup. You only have one chance and then you must wait four years again. And who says you’re even going to play then?” he adds.

Besides the nerves, playing in one of the country’s most anticipated tournaments comes with remarkably high expectations.

“There is massive pressure. Not only from yourself, but from the whole country. Everyone is watching,” he says.

Moreover, with this kind of public attention comes the threat of criticism. But Herschel isn’t too bothered. If it doesn’t come from his coaches or family, the No. 9 player tries not to let it get to him, as he knows not to waste time worrying about what other people think.“There will always be people that think the opposite of what you think, or don’t agree with what you do, but that’s their opinion. I cannot change what they think or have to say of me. So, whatever comes my way, I just try to let it be,” he says.

A focus on the future

What sets Jantjies apart is his sharp focus on the future. For him, the key to success is setting long-term goals. He is always preparing himself for something bigger so that when the opportunity arises, he doesn’t choke under the pressure, he’s ready.

“Maybe it’s just my nature, but I always prepare for what is higher so that when it comes to me, it doesn’t blow up in my face. I think that the more you can prepare and challenge yourself, the better it will be when you eventually get to that higher stage,” he says.

However, Jantjies thinks it is equally important to keep the ‘why’ in mind. To really achieve in something, your heart must be behind it. He says he never pursued a career in rugby for fame or recognition. Instead, he just loved the sport and wanted to be good at it. 

“As soon as you start doing stuff for the wrong reasons, you’re not going to become really successful. It’s not going to be sustainable,” he says.

Lockdown living

Due to his Kuilsrivier apartment being too small to train in, during the first stages of the nationwide lockdown, Jantjies was back in Kylemore, staying with his parents. He converted their garage into a make-shift gym, which he jokingly called ‘Virgin Jantjies’.

This substitute gym was where Herschel spent most of his time under lockdown, keeping fit for when he is back on the field, and strengthening his recently fractured leg.

If there was ever a time to be injured, it’s during lockdown, as he’s not missing out on much, he says.

“I think if it wasn’t in lockdown, it would have been much worse because then I would have been side-lined…but now everyone is sort of side-lined,” he says.

Luckily, with technology and apps like Zoom, he could continue rehab with his physio and keep in touch with his teammates while in Kylemore.

“Some guys have been sending pictures and videos of how they are training. We have also been challenging each other with times. It’s been quite cool, the team spirit is still one hundred percent there,” he says.

When he was not training or having Zoom meetings with his teammates, Hershel watched Netflix and played video games like PUB-G and Call of Duty with his younger brother.

“My mom calls it being lazy, I call it recovering,” he chuckles. 

Keeping grounded in Kylemore

Jantjies credits the Kylemore community for helping him keep his feet firmly on the ground. Some people in the community praise his successes, while others treat him just as they would any other.

“Being in Kylemore, you get reminded – not in a bad way – that you’re just another person. You’re just like everyone else. It doesn’t matter what you have or what you can do, you stay a human being,” he says.

Herschel is proud at the possibility of his achievements inspiring some of the local kids and friends he grew up with.

“Becoming a Springbok and playing for the Stormers, I think a lot of younger people in the community sort of have hope now. Like…‘if Herschel can do it, maybe I can do it as well’,” he says.

It’s this salt-of-the-earth attitude and natural talent that has led to Herschel Jantjies quickly becoming one of the most respected players on the field. He just renewed another two-year contract with the Stormers, but is also flirting with a few non-rugby related endeavours.

“I sort of started on something, but I don’t want to give away too much. Hopefully in the next interview we’ll speak more about that,” he says.