Springbok number 880. Only one selection under the clock with South Africa. It was in November 2016 against Wales in Cardiff. Since then, Rohan Janse van Rensburg (30), the three-quarter center who arrived at Union Bordeaux-Bègles last summer, has no longer had the chance to wear the green and gold jersey. “It was a frustration for a long time,” he admits. I made peace with that quite recently, just before arriving at UBB to be honest. I'm focusing more on the team than on myself today. It changed a lot of things. It gave me a more positive mindset. When you're selfish in your game, there's nothing good about it. I changed my mentality. »
At the position of first center, the competition has also been strong in recent years among the double world champions with Damian De Allende, Jesse Kriel or André Esterhuizen… “But I have not given up on the selection”, underlines the neo-Bordelais, a smirk. “I don't talk to him about that, out of modesty, but I know it's an injury for him,” confides Yannick Bru, the Gironde manager. He is a player who still has a future. Perhaps his story with the Springboks is not over. »
In any case, Rohan Van Rensburg is gaining momentum with the UBB and is still coming off a big performance last weekend in Exeter (17-69) in the Champions Cup. “It gives us a lot of punch and density in the center,” explains Yannick Bru. “It takes two defenders to take care of him and he still advances,” continues Shaun Sowerby, the South African coach in charge of the sidelines.
Buffalo legs
Rohan Van Rensburg is a real wall-piercer, carried by a solid size (1.85 m, 109 kg) and buffalo thighs. “It’s genetic. My father was an athlete, he ran the 100 meters (in 11 seconds). I did 110m hurdles at school. But there’s also a lot of muscle building,” he says with a burst of laughter.
Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
MATTHIEU RONDEL / AFP
Beyond raising cast iron, the three-quarter center also draws on a state of mind forged in his childhood near Welkom, a mining town in the Free State, or Middelburg, a farming bastion in Mpumalanga. “These are places where I learned life the hard way. There is nothing bling-bling there, people are humble and don’t bring it back.” Yannick Bru confirms: “Rohan has a fantastic state of mind, he has a big heart, he is team-oriented. He is very generous in his efforts. »
Reunion with the Sharks
It must be said that number 12 knows that nothing happens alone. Having played for the Pretoria Bulls, he also wore the Lions jersey with whom he was beaten three times in the Super Rugby final (in 2015 against the Hurricanes, in 2016 and 2017 against the Crusaders). “It’s a big disappointment. I know how much effort it takes to win a title. I came to UBB to finally win a major competition. »
“I realized afterwards that my mentality was not the right one at the Sharks”
Launched at full speed with the Gironde club in the Champions Cup, Rohan Van Rensburg will return to his former Sharks franchise this Sunday (2 p.m.) at Chaban-Delmas. He spent three and a half seasons there, with an interlude with Sale Sharks in the English Premiership, and a stint in Yokohama in Japan. “I didn’t leave the Sharks on bad terms. I had a good time there. I realized afterwards that my mentality was not the right one, I was forcing things, obsessed with selection. I have changed. I have kept close ties with Lukhanyo Am, Vincent Tshituka, James Venter… I am very happy to find them again. We'll probably go to dinner together before playing face to face. »
After three improved victories in the Champions Cup, UBB is aiming for a fourth this Sunday against the Durban franchise. “We want to finish the group stage at 1is rank,” recalls Rohan Van Rensburg. In order to gain home advantage until the semi-finals. And get closer to a dream.
