Q&A: Pieter Jansen, Xerox Golden Lions Hooker

2019-08-15

1. If you could play any other position, what would it be?
Definitely centre. It’s the position my dad played, and I feel when you are in the backline you have more space to play, and you can still be physical if need be.

2. TV programme you cannot miss?
Chicago Med. I wanted to go study medicine, but in grade 11 I had to make the choice between that and rugby.

3. Who is the hooker you looked up to the most?
Kevin Mealamu. He is New Zealand’s most-capped Super Rugby player of all time, and he also won two Rugby World Cups. He was the type of player who always did the basics 100% correctly. But the reason he was such an idol for me is that nobody ever had anything bad to say about him. Everybody only spoke of what a great human being he was off the field, and that is something I aspire to be.

4. Best tour roommate? Why him?
Marnus Schoeman, without a doubt! We are both from the East Rand, so we have that in common, but we just have so much fun together. We can talk about anything, and I think it’s important to have a friendship that is not just focused on rugby.

5. What would you say is the biggest misconception about you?
That I am all work and no play. My work is incredibly important to me, and when I have to focus on that, I will give 100%. But I will also be one of the last guys still making jokes in the team. People perceive me as a very shy and quiet person, but once I’m comfortable around you, you’ll see that I’m actually a very happy-go-lucky guy.

#LionsPride

Monique Naude