In a momentous occasion for rugby enthusiasts and locals alike, the South Africa national rugby team, the Springboks, made their first-ever visit to Jersey for a week of training ahead of their Autumn series starting this Sunday against Scotland, followed by fixtures against England and Wales.
This landmark event not only highlighted the growing global appeal of rugby, but also the incredible pull Jersey and the world-class Strive Academy has for attracting the world’s best athletes to our shores.
A Proud Heritage
The Springboks, with their storied history and four Rugby World Cup victories (1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023), represent one of the most successful teams in not only rugby, but sporting history. They are the first rugby nation in history to win half of the World Cups they have entered, first beginning in 1995, which they famously won at the first time of asking.
The Springboks also hold five titles in the Rugby Championship (1998, 2004, 2009, 2019 and 2024), formerly known as the Tri-Nations, which is contested between the Southern Hemisphere nations of South Africa, Australia, Argentina and New Zealand.
Captain Siya Kolisi and his fellow Springboks are the first team in history to win both the Rugby Championship and the World Cup in the same year, 2019.
If all of that was not enough, captain Kolisi, first given the title in 2018, is the first man of colour to don the armband for South Africa and now the first man to deliver back-to-back World Cups to the rainbownation.
Their visit to Jersey is a testament to the Island’s emerging status as a centre for sporting development, providing a platform for aspiring athletes and fans to engage with some of the best players in the world.
The Significance of the Visit
This visit was more than just a training week; it symbolised a bridge between cultures and communities.
As the Springboks engaged with local businesses and people, they shared invaluable insights and experiences that will inspire the next generation of not just players, but all people in Jersey. The team’s presence brought a spirit of unity and sportsmanship, reinforcing rugby’s core values of respect, discipline, and teamwork.
Full credit to the success of the trip must go to the incredible people at Visit Jersey, Jersey RFC and, of course, Ben Harvey, managing director at Strive Academy where the Springboks were based for the week.
The compliments of the Island and the facilities at both Strive and CoinShares Park will ring loud for a long time to come, with the desired outcome of encouraging more sporting teams to make Jersey a training base in future.
A Day of Celebration
The highlight of the visit was an open workout session, hosted at CoinShares Park in St Peter, the home of the Jersey Rugby Football Club.
The session attracted a large crowd of over 2000 people, with fans donning Springbok jerseys and local colours, creating an electrifying atmosphere at the stadium.
The session not only showcased the Springboks’ impressive skills, but also offered local players a rare opportunity to meet, speak to and take pictures with these world-class athletes.
These interactions allowed fans and young players to connect with their rugby idols, offering a unique glimpse into the professional world of rugby.
In addition to the session, the Springboks participated in a media day, which the JEP was kindly invited along to partake in.
The pair of us were blessed with the opportunity to interview Scrum half Grant Williams, Fly half Jordan Hendrikse, Prop Thomas du Toit, squad débutante and Loose Forward Cameron Hanekom, and assistant coach Deon Davids.
“We have all absolutely loved our time here in Jersey,” said Williams.
“Getting to travel the world as a Springbok is one of the highlights of my career. Wearing the Springbok jersey and getting to meet people from all over the world is a privilege and one that is not lost on us.”
“It’s warmer than we expected,” joked Hendrikse, who has had the incredible experience of sharing the South African badge with his brother, Jaden.
“I only arrived off the plane yesterday, so I haven’t had the chance to travel around as much as the other boys, but I absolutely love what I have experiences so far.
“The people have been incredibly warm and welcoming towards us and that always makes us feel incredibly proud and humbled.”
Prop du Toit was particularly impressed with the facilities at the Strive Academy, of whom owner Ben Harvey was instrumental in arranging the Springbok’s visit.
“The facilities here are world class,” said du Toit.
“We have a huge series of games coming up in the next few weeks so it’s been excellent for us to get to travel to a new place and also experience a fantastic training camp too.
“It’s been nice to get to train away from a big city, which can be challenging with all the people at times.
“Jersey has offered us a warm and comfortable home this week to train, explore and meet some incredible people.
“We knew there was a strong South African contingent here, but the support we have received has been absolutely amazing. We appreciate every single person for their kind words and I hope they know how much that means to us all.
“To wear the Springbok shirt is something we all dreamed about as boys and now we have the responsibility of continuing that tradition and keep spreading our message across the world to as many people as possible.
“It’s an incredible honor and one we all take very seriously, so thank you to the people of Jersey for being so hospitable towards us and making us feel so welcome.”
These words were echoed by assistant coach, Deon Davids, who gushed about his appreciation for the Island.
“This has been the most wonderful week,” he said.
“The facilities have been fantastic, the hotel, the people we have met and the staff at Strive and the Jersey Rugby Club, it’s all been outstanding and we are extremely grateful.”
Davids continued: “There is clearly a thriving rugby community here.
“Both the men’s and women’s senior teams are doing very well in their respective journeys and we massively respect the hard work that is going into rugby here.
“That is evident in the number of juniors we saw playing the other day in their training sessions.
“These numbers show there is a clear love for the game and a pathway in place for those young players to learn and enjoy the game, which is so important at a young age.
“Considering the difficult year rugby here has had over the past 12 months, I think it’s outstanding the work that is being done all throughout the Jersey Rugby Club to continue to rise through the leagues and attract top level players.”
Loose Forward, Cameron Hanekom, is a new addition to the squad and, as the only uncapped player in the squad, he will he hoping to make his international debut over the coming weeks.
He added: “This is such a beautiful Island and we’re all so grateful to be here.
“I’m incredibly excited to be here in the squad and have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Springbok’s set up so far.
“It’s been an incredible journey to this stage and I’m hoping to make many more memories in a South African shirt.
“All of us here have had trials and tribulations to overcome to reach this stage and I hope that is inspiring to people.
“We are a nation that is proud to represent our country around the world and we take immense pride in spreading a positive message wherever we go.
“We love meeting locals wherever we travel and Jersey is no different in that respect. The people have been amazing with us and we are incredibly grateful for that.”
Scrum half Williams spoke on the thriving junior academy at the JRFC, saying: “It’s wonderful to see so many kids enjoying their rugby.
“We were all once young boys enjoying getting muddy and learning the game with our mates.
“I hope these young athletes can see our visit as an inspiration that anything is possible if you show the right levels of drive, determination and discipline to our craft.”
Looking Forward
As the South African team leave the Island, heading to Scotland for their first Autumn series clash on Sunday at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, the legacy of their visit will undoubtedly resonate within the Jersey rugby community for years to come. Local clubs and schools are still buzzing with excitement, eager to build on the momentum generated by this historic event.
In a world increasingly connected through sport, the Springboks’ visit serves as a reminder of sport’s ability to transcend boundaries and create lasting bonds.
With Jersey’s growing rugby scene and the Springboks’ influential presence, the future of rugby on the Island looks bright.
As the Springboks continue their journey, the echoes of their first visit to Jersey will inspire both players and fans, fostering a love for the game and the spirit of international friendship.
Elliot’s Note
Over the past year working at the JEP, I have been humbled to get to meet some incredible people and help share some amazing sporting journeys thus far. It is rare to receive the opportunities afforded to myself and my colleague Tom Middleton over the past week and we are eternally grateful for this experience. As keen sportsmen the pair of us, getting to speak to and pick the brains of men who are at the very peak of their sporting professions is as humbling as it is inspiring. The excited look on the faces of everybody, old and young, at CoinShares Park last Saturday for the open workout was truly moving and the monumental moment was not lost on us as proud journalists. As I write this piece, I am moved knowing that I have the opportunity to share this amazing story for the people of Jersey and I thank every reader for allowing me the opportunity to tell their story. Thank you to everybody who allowed this life-changing experience to take place and we at the JEP look forward with immense excitement to the next incredible opportunity the hard-working sporting community has in store for us!
