Then I can look to the next big thing.’.Gelant knows there is plenty of competition at fullback in South Africa. But I feel the timing is now right for me to move on. South Africa remains an unbalanced society, but alternate routes to the top of the game are starting to give players who were not part of the elite system the opportunity to make their presence felt at the highest level of the game.In recent years, two competitions have been added that fit between provincial schoolboy or age-group level and the lower levels of senior provincial representative level. SA under-18 Sevens player Jordan Venter from Paul Roos Gymnasium of Stellenbosch – one of the cornerstones of schoolboy rugby in South Africa – will be heading to Scotland once he matriculates.. Grey College Bloemfontein, Monument, Affies, Paul Roos, Paarl Gymnasium….. Generally, the natural progression for those fortunate enough to play for the provincial schools team would be the age group teams of the top provincial unions. "I don't think it does anyone any favours.

I need to first be consistent for my local side before I can be consistent for the Springboks. Blokes got elbowed in the head and punched in the back of the head – but that [taunting] sort of stuff was just seen as a no-go zone.

Other than its rich history, the school is known for all-round excellence in sport, culture, academics and the performance of notable old boys across a wide sphere of society. The tight forward who isn’t just be big and strong, but who will be solid in his fundamentals at the set piece.“Basically, it will be the player who has now used his time most effectively.”.In South Africa, however, things are never that straightforward and the system might throw up anomalies.“The 15-year-old was going to play under-16 this season but when he plays again he will probably go straight into the A-side. The last time he would have played would have been at under-15. And while Willie le Roux remains the Springboks’ incumbent No 15, Gelant says he wants to tap into all the experience, knowledge and leadership qualities from his World Cup-winning teammate.It’s apparent he has used the pandemic-enforced lockdown to undergo intense introspection. A few years later he played for the Springboks at the World Cup.‘There are also guys who had potential career-ending injuries, like Cornal Hendricks, who was at the peak of his career, but then had a heart condition. It was his stellar 2015 season playing for Durbanville-Bellville that saw him selected for Western Province that year and then contracted to the Sharks in 2016.Rosko Specman revived his 15’s career in 2016 with a season playing for Durban Collegians in the Gold Cup. But I would be disappointed if I was a coach and my players were acting like that. The lockdown has given players and coaches the opportunity to improve online.“The type of player that is going to come out of this is the player who focused on those extras. Coupled to that, he argues, players who have adapted best to the lockdown will prosper.“The player who really wants to do well will show the mental fortitude and desperation to come through this. A lot of emotion goes into it. The world-class players would from that original bunch of school kids selected from the elite playing schools would eventually don the coveted green and gold Springbok jersey.But what of those players who did not have the privilege of attending one of the elite rugby schools? Mzwakhe Nkosi with Toby Titus at the SA Schools presentation ceremony at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch ... “What lacks in our modern player is rugby EQ and rugby … lastest addition Juandre Kruger) & is 2nd with most Springboks produced by school which totals 37 Springboks since inception of the Springboks on 20 October 1906. Fashion is another of his passions: ‘I feel like fashion represents you in the best possible way, and self-confidence starts with the way you dress,’ he says.Overall, Gelant says, there are some misconceptions he feels should be kicked into touch.People sometimes limit us as players, they don’t see there is more to us than just being on the field and playing rugby,Some may just see us as dumb rugby players throwing a ball around, but there’s more to each of us.’.Speaking to that point, Gelant is determined to expand his horizons as a player and person after recently making the move from Pretoria to the Cape. By 1902 Roos was captaining the team, and led the team with great success. Filming Credit: Plettervat Rugby Data - https://www.plettervat.co.za/ Paul Roos Gymnasium is one of the strongest rugby schools in the World. It’s a decisive career-change to join the Stormers from the Bulls, and one that he says was the realisation of a long-standing dream.‘As a young boy I was always a Stormers supporter. I feel lockdown allowed us just to slow down in a lot of ways, and to bring me back to my values, and I feel I’m a lot more priority-based now.‘I’ve been able to use this downtime to reflect and work on myself. The South African Rand will always struggle against Northern Hemisphere currencies, so casting a wider net to bring more talent in the system becomes more important.Admittedly, many of those who were selected as Springbok rugby players would have progressed from age-group levels to the Varsity Cup anyway.

Maybe we can break the chains for them.’.As Gelant continues to promote conversations outside of rugby, he wants to engage with other rugby players about their entrepreneurial ventures. It’s time for the next step, and the moment is now.’.Gelant is clear in his vision. I’m feeling refreshed mentally and physically, and my 100% focus will be on performing for the Stormers and to see what I can bring to the team. It just didn't happen," Roos said on Thursday.