JP: I was born to play rugby
27 Jun 2006
Sharks and Baby Boks flyer JP Pietersen, who arrived back from France this morning, chats to keo.co.za.
Q: You have been linked to the senior Bok squad to be announced later this week for the Vodacom Tri-Nations. How are you feeling about that?
A: This is the first I have heard of it so it is a shock for me. My dream was and has always been to play for the Sharks so I was thrilled when I got my first cap to play for them in last year’s Currie Cup. This year I had the privilege of playing for the Sharks in their Super 14 campaign. Like all young South African players my ultimate goal is to be selected to play for my country, to be chosen to play for the Springboks and I am prepared to put in the hard work to get there. I would consider it a great honour to be chosen to play in the green and gold.
Q: Was it disappointing to relinquish the title to France on Sunday?
A: It was disappointing, we had our chances but things didn’t go according to plan and small mistakes we made all added up. We woke up a bit late in the match to try and amend our plan. The French crowd was against us too; playing in front of a home crowd would have been a definite advantage for any team.
Q: It’s been an amazing year for you. Describe it in your own words.
A: 2006 has been a good year for me although last year was probably, by comparison, better. I’ve had my ups and down this year due to injuries – hamstring and ankle – that kept me out of the Super 14 for five weeks. Last year I had an injury-free year. I have however had many highlights this year: playing Super 14, even if it wasn’t the entire season, and being chosen to play for the SA U21 side in the recent IRB World Champs in France. It has also been an amazing personal experience for me to travel and play in New Zealand (Super 14) and in France. I have had the opportunity to compete internationally in the game that I love and have met and made rugby
friends in other parts of the world.
Q: Do you feel you are ready to step up to Test rugby if selected?
A: I work hard and train hard and I like to think that I give 110 per cent every time that I run out onto the park  but it¹s not my call. It’s up to the selectors. I hope that my hard work will one day pay off and that I will be considered for Springbok selection.
Q: Who has been your mentor in your rugby career?
A: My uncle, Christie Noble. He’s both my mentor and my unofficial coach.
Q: What drives JP Pietersen?
A: I love rugby. I was born to play rugby. My earliest memory of a Christmas present was a rugby ball. At family get togethers we always played – and still do – touch rugby. These games always include my cousin and best friend Dusty Noble. Rugby is in my blood… I can honestly say that I can’t imagine my life without rugby.
By Andrew Hollely
66 Comments
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27 Jun 2006, 15:39 pm
Bigg,
You actually fell for Jonnow’s joke ? IDIOT..
Nicks,
Your referred to Schalk Burger as a player who faded away. Are you referring to him being injured now or his general play. I think he has been as effective lately, just cleaned up his act, hence no more yellow cards. I don’t think it has anything to do with him fading away. If that is what you were referring to. Look what happened on Saturday. The French took so much ball awau from us at the breakdown, it was frightening to see..
27 Jun 2006, 15:39 pm
JP Piersen is the first real fullback to play in South African rugby for a long time. Yes, I must agree with his tempremant on Sunday, he deffinatly needs to calm down, but, Id rather coach a player how to calm down than how to catch a ball.
I must agree with the taurses comments about him. His positional play, and sheer understanding of the field is awsome.
27 Jun 2006, 15:42 pm
Kudu, no – I dont mean he has faded away, he is an awesome player and one of my favourites.
All I meant was that he is still a youngster, but he has been overplayed to such an extent that now he may never be able to play again.
27 Jun 2006, 15:48 pm
Kudu – I am being sarcastic you stupid prick… UUR DEERRR
Cape Shark – these guys just started attacking me for no reason, so I am not causing any kak.
Golf going bad, have not played in 6 weeks and you?
27 Jun 2006, 15:54 pm
He is one for the future, that’s for sure. Let’s just hope he doesn’t turn into a Jorrie or Chavangha.
27 Jun 2006, 15:58 pm
I thought Marius Delport was the pick of the U21 backs. Why is nobody mentioning him as a possible Bok? I have no problem with JP, but Lote will destroy him. Know this.
27 Jun 2006, 16:32 pm
Delport is a depenbable back, with a great boot. Pieterson is more a flair player – just what the Boks need!
27 Jun 2006, 16:59 pm
Delport has played on the wing for most of his life.
27 Jun 2006, 18:06 pm
JP will play for the Boks before the World Cup, probably even as soon as this Tri Nations. The Katman has spoken. Take note.
Bigg is a dimwit with a seriously underdeveloped sense of humour. Arguably the worst poster on this site. More truth from the Katman.
JP doesn’t have half as bad an attitude problem as his Sharks team mate, Keegan Daniels, who is also a great player but needs to sort his high flying arms out.
Delport is good, but doesn’t offer anything spectacular. Kind of like Johan Roets. Which is why he won’t be a Bok.
That’s all for now from the Katman.
27 Jun 2006, 18:10 pm
Here we go again,taking a litie who has played a few club games at Jaguars,a few games for the Sharks and we are ready to throw him into the big time,expecting him to produce the goods.
27 Jun 2006, 19:48 pm
hey bigg u think u kaas well i have news for u ur comments suck… they arent even worthy for this site ima a qualifies coach dont speak junk with me ok??
27 Jun 2006, 19:59 pm
With the next Bok coach looming, you might play Bokke before you think.
27 Jun 2006, 20:20 pm
Have watched JP play live at Kings Park. Theres always a buzz in the crowd when he gets the ball. Much like there was with Andre Joubert. If he remains injury free he will become SA’s most potent attacking weapon!
27 Jun 2006, 22:17 pm
oxfordshark,
this laaitjie was thrown into the currie cup by **** and he performed with distinction, he is a natural rugby player who is gifted with a rugby brain
i say send him to the national setup and ease him in gently, it won’t hurt him to have the older players around him helping him and guiding him.
he is a weapon we need to use.
27 Jun 2006, 23:25 pm
jp is a great prospect but is slighty under conditioned but he will beef up
7 Sep 2006, 10:22 am
JP, jy verdien dit om te wees waar jy is!! ‘n Helse klomp mense in Witbank is trots op jou. Ek’s ook uit Hertzog (2001) en jy mag maar speel, moet asb net die vir enige ander domestic span as die Sharks speel nie!!!
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