Player Profile – Jeandre Jacobs (EG Jansen)
“It was a scrum on the halfway line against Outeniqua. The call was made, and we did the move. I broke through and beat the fullback to score the try. Everybody was so happy, and I kissed the badge on my jersey. It was something I’d never experienced in my life.”
Those were the words of Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen’s Jeandre Jacobs, as he recalled his favourite memory in the famous Jansie-Arende jersey.
Possessing the ability to spot the smallest of spaces in the blink of an eye, Jacobs has worn the number 13 jersey in EG Jansen’s first team over the last two years and has become known for his ability to score eye-catching long-range tries.
His deft footwork and acceleration have instilled fear in many backlines, and they have seen him become a prolific asset in the sevens format, too. With the Blitzboks rebuilding and seeking a return to the top of the sevens mountain, Jacobs could become a household name in the shorter, faster format of the game.
Born in Vredenburg in the Western Cape, he grew up idolizing one of South Africa’s first legends of the sevens game, Rhyno Benjamin, and later, World Cup-winning fullback Damian Willlemse.
At the age of 12, Jacobs started playing rugby. It would soon become an important part of his young life. That same year, incredibly, he claimed a place in the Boland u12 provincial side. The following year, after having quickly grown in the game, he cracked the nod for both the Boland u13 Craven Week and the Boland Sevens sides.
His remarkable performances at such a young age caught the attention of the men from Boksburg. He would end up at Dr EG Jansen the following year.
“I played in a tournament in Jeffrey’s Bay, and I think that’s where Jansen saw me. It was a great opportunity to link up with them. That is what I wanted at that stage,” Jacobs said.
The young outside centre has continued to go from strength to strength ever since, climbing the ladder and earning a spot in the Valke u18 Craven Week side, as a 17-year-old, in 2023, while also being selected for the u18 sevens squad.
He has once again been selected to cause havoc for the Valke at this year’s Craven Week, which will be hosted in Krugersdorp.
When asked about the person who has played the biggest role in his career thus far, Jacobs replied without hesitation: “Coach Rudy Dames has always been the one who has supported me the most. He has always pushed me to stay motivated and be better than I was yesterday.
Questioned about his plans for the future, Jacobs said: “I would like to play for either the Blue Bulls or the Sharks, but my main focus will be on playing for the Blitzboks, hopefully soon.”
With a humble approach and a natural feel for the game, Jacobs has the attributes to make his dream of international rugby come true. He’s hoping to run out wearing the green and gold in the prestigious HSBC SEVENS Series in the near future.
