From Blue Bulls to Lions, childhood enjoyment can turn into professional passion. Divan Rossouw shows that through hard work and encouragement from teachers, you can build a career in sports.

 “When I was in Grade 11, some rugby scouts noticed me while playing at the St John’s Easter Festival. That was when I realized that with some hard work, I might be able to build a career in rugby.” Even before joining Windhoek Gymnasium in Grade 8, Divan Rossouw heaped up rugby commendations scrums kick up grass. Most recently, he has been recruited to play for the Emirates Lions.

Since his under 8 team at the Wanderers Rugby Club won a day-tournament, he continued to progress in rugby throughout his school career. In Grade 12, he was even part of the team that won the Super League. He played for the Blue Bulls at under 19 and under 21, and played 30 Super Rugby games for them as well.

See Divan’s profile on Ultimate Rugby’s website.

https://www.ultimaterugby.com/divan-rossouw#

Divan – who comes from a rugby-playing family - believes that the school helped to develop his interests: “The teachers encouraged us a lot to participate in everything.” He also remembers how entertaining Mr Odendaal would make all his classes and how much effort he put in to make his classes interesting. As all SARPA players have to study while playing to ensure that they have career opportunities beyond rugby, he completed a degree in BCom (and honours) in Financial Sciences.

His debut game for the Blue Bulls is the greatest highlight of his rugby career so far when his team beat the Hurricanes on Loftus Versveld. “Just after the first kick off, Handré [Pollard] kicked an up-and-under; I gave chase and won the air contest. It was my first touch of super rugby and I just had an overall good game.” He firmly believes that if you give your best in everything you do, you won’t have any regrets. “Put I the work now, and you will reap the rewards.”