Van Rooyen, SA Students edged in final
The SA Students played eight games in Italy, and the tournament ran from July 3 to July 14.
Despite missing out on the big prize at the 2019 Napoli Summer Universiade Games in Italy when they lost 15-12 to Japan in the final, it’s been a great rugby year for Boksburg sevens star Eddie van Rooyen.
Van Rooyen, who stars as a hooker for the SA Students side, found himself representing his country in Europe following a gruelling past year of rugby which had him convinced that he wouldn’t make it to the international stage.
“I actually thought I missed it [the call-up to the SA Students side],” he explained.
“The competition for places is very tough because you have good players from all the universities in the country competing for places and everyone wants it badly.”
Van Rooyen represented the North-West University in a major tournament in Amanzimtoti and the Varsity Sevens jamboree – both last year.
His big break arrived in February when the SA Students came calling for his presence in a 25-man training squad from which the Napoli Summer Universiade Games side would be picked.
The students’ management had another tough call to make, with the 25-man needing to be trimmed down further to the 12 who would make the plane to Napoli.
Van Rooyen was part of the elite 12, which still has him speechless to this day.
When asked to describe being part of the SA Students camp, he explained: “It was very intimidating because you’re introduced to a totally new level. Everything is done perfectly and you get to meet some of the big BlitzBokke players. I was flabbergasted.”
Van Rooyen is a product of Hoërskool Oosterlig.
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