Blue Bulls sign former EG Jansen student
Hendre Stassen (18), a former pupil of Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen, has joined one of the country’s rugby giants, the Vodacom Blue Bulls.
Stassen, who’s featured for the Bulls before, penned a two-year deal with the Pretoria side last month and will feature in the u-19 side.
The Advertiser interviewed the imposing lock (1.99m tall; 115kg), who explains his move to the Loftus outfit and his other honours in the game, amongst other topics.
The Advertiser asked:
In detail, explain how the Blue Bulls happened…
I think the Blue Bulls noticed me at the Kearsney Easter Festival back in 2015, when I played for the first team of my school [EG Jansen]. We then started a journey and I decided, after thinking long and hard and having meetings with other unions, that I was going to continue my rugby career at the Blue Bulls after high school.
Were you the only former EG Jansen pupil who made it to the Bulls?
The Blue Bulls actually signed five guys from EG Jansen, including myself. The others are Dylan van der Walt, Nico Peyper, Erich Cronje and Irvin Ali. We are the school with the most u-19 signings at the Bulls.
How did your rugby career begin?
I think, as a young boy growing up with a rugby ball under the arm, and playing my own game next to the field each time my brother played, it didn’t make my choice difficult: I want to become a world icon in rugby all over the world. Each morning I remind myself of that and it motivates me through my daily routine.
Would you say the Bulls move is your biggest honour in your young career this far?
I think my biggest honour was playing against Western Province at Loftus in the u-19 Currie Cup semi-final and beating them to advance to the final.
SA Schools was also a great honour and a huge stepping stone in my rugby career and made the pathway for me more visible, because I was playing with the country’s best against other nations.
What other outstanding rugby awards have you received?
My 2015 year was a good year: being the first team captain, Craven Week captain and SA Schools A captain. I also received a call-up for the SA Schools side and played in the u-19 Currie Cup while being in school, which was my goals when I was in Grade 11 already.
What does the Bulls move mean to you as a human being and as a player?
It means the best opportunity to make it big one day, I enjoy the Blue Bulls rugby culture.
What are your rugby goals going forward now that you’ve made it to one of the country’s biggest rugby franchises?
My 2016 goals are to start off the year and play in the Senior Varsity Cup Tournament. After Varsity Cup, I would like to win the u-19 Currie Cup with all my teammates and maybe make my senior Currie Cup debut. It all depends on the plan God has for my career and my commitment day in and day out.
Moving on to the academic side of things – what do you plan to do next as far as your studies?
Having matriculated at EG Jansen with two distinctions, last year, I start with my degree in business management at Tuks [University of Pretoria] this year.
Which primary school did you attend?
I was in Laerskool Concordia, situated next to EG Jansen.
What do people not know about Hendre Stassen?
I think one thing people don’t know about me is that I am prepared to go the extra step. I’ll give what it takes! I take nothing for granted and I am very strong-minded with what I want to achieve in my life and career: I always try to be the hardest worker in the room.
Who or what inspires you in rugby?
Dream big… if your dreams don’t scare you, you aren’t dreaming big enough!
What advice would you give to aspiring rugby players?
To the young ones: work hard, there is no other way to make it to the top. I’m still working each day harder than the previous day just to become the best at what I do; and if you really want something, go and get it!
The Advertiser has yet to get in touch with the other four Blue Bull signings from EG Jansen. Watch this space. – @SabeloBoksburg
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