Player feature: Beor van Reenen (Paul Roos Gimnasium)

Influential Paul Roos Gimnasium goalkeeper Beor van Reenen will earn his 50th cap for the school this week when they host Bishops Diocesan College in Stellenbosch on the Maties AstroTurf on Wednesday.

The clash kicks off at 18:15. Catch it LIVE on SuperSport Schools.

Ahead of the match, SuperSport Schools Plus hockey correspondent, Short Corner, had an exclusive interview with the ‘keeper.

Their conversation included talking about reaching 50 caps, cricket, and what the future holds.

You have a 50-cap double for Hockey and Cricket. How does that make you feel?

It is quite a big honour to represent a school like Paul Roos’s first team in two different sporting codes, and, especially, 50 caps for both is very special for me. I made my first team cricket debut against Bishops and then my 50th cap [for hockey] is also against Bishops.

My first team hockey debut was against SACS, and my 50th would have been last term against SACS, but l dislocated my kneecap, and missed two games against Rondebosch and Boishaai. Now, my 50th is against Bishops, which is also cool, because both my 50ths will be against them.

What are the highlights of your hockey and cricket careers thus far?

There have been a lot with both. For cricket, it probably is to have the two fastest fifties ever for my school, with one coming off 16 balls only. My hockey highlight must be winning the Hibbert Shield two years in a row. Oh, and the Boland silver at IPTs.

You are probably one of the better goalkeepers on the schoolboy circuit. Are you disappointed that you did not make any representative sides after the SASHOC IPTs in the last two years?

No, surprisingly, I was not disappointed.

I kind of expected not to be selected because of my unorthodox style of keeping, but I went to IPTs to go and enjoy myself and to give Boland the best possible chance to win. I had fun! And I came home with a medal.

Which people have played a big role in your hockey and cricket careers?

Coach Baker probably played the biggest role in my hockey career.

If it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t have played hockey this year, but rugby.

He convinced me to play and gave me the excitement to play the sport again. With cricket, probably me, as I taught myself how to play off YouTube videos.

Then Mnr Botes, Mnr Deneno, and Kei Norton put on the finer touches to make me better. Mr Raymer, our Strength and Conditioning coach, also helps me a lot, not only with conditioning but also with mental strength.

Anything you would have done differently in the past few years?

This is a funny question. Yes, I probably would have stopped playing hockey after u16 IPTs and played rugby in Gr 11 and 12. There may be a little regret that l did not give it my all at rugby.

PRG won two Hibbert Shields back-to-back, where you were pretty influential in both. 

Winning Hibbert, was amazing, but not to be too arrogant or anything, it is my job to keep the ball out of the box, and I am glad l could contribute – with a little skill or luck. The team fought back hard this year.

What advice do you have for young goalkeepers?

Just be the best ‘keeper you can be and make sure you are technically very good, because it helps a lot to get you into big sides. That was a bit of my problem. I keep unconventionally.

I do not keep according to the book but, at least, l keep most shots out. I reckon my soccer background helped a lot to allow me to read a game and wrestle with reflexes and be supple.

What are your plans for 2025?

I am looking to study education online while working as a class assistant and coach in a school. If the opportunity presents itself, l would like to play cricket overseas.

I have done all the World Rugby coaching and refereeing courses available until l turn 18. I have ICC Level 1 in umpiring and coaching. I would like to coach and referee, and maybe see if l can referee or umpire at a higher level. I am still young, but coaching would be the ultimate.

Favourite Meal?

Steak, egg and chips

Favorite Movie?

Coach Carter

Other Sports you do?

I am on the school’s athletics team, play rugby, action cricket, and fish.

Hobbies and Interests?

I enjoy hunting and playing darts

Coach’s comment

Michael Baker, Paul Roos’s Director of Hockey, said of Van Reenen, who is also the Deputy Head Boy of the Prima Hostel: “From my side, Beor is one of the most gifted sportsmen I’ve seen. He has an eye for the ball and incredible strength.

“He is often misunderstood and if you listen to the wrong people they jump to assumptions about him. I have seen a boy who truly loves his teammates and his school, and that plays sport because he enjoys it.

“He is not playing for selectors or anything. He just plays sport because he enjoys it. He is mostly always smiling, and isn’t that why we all started?

“This leads to the fearless style he has – you could say he is unorthodox. However, as a ‘keeper, his job is to stop the ball from going in the net and he does that pretty well.

“His teammates love him, and I want to say he has become a bit of an icon. Most people know Beor because of his style of keeping. I have loved working with him this year and we will definitely miss him in 2025.”