Player Profile: Muller Jansen van Vuuren (Hoërskool Durbanville)
“He who has never failed somewhere, that man cannot be great. Failure is the true test of greatness.” – Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick.
Indeed, as Melville points out, failure is a necessary ingredient on the road to greatness, and Hoërskool Durbanville captain and eighthman, Muller Jansen van Vuuren, discovered the virtue of leadership through an accidental failure of his own.
“One of my earliest rugby memories is not necessarily my fondest. When I first started playing, I accidentally broke a teammate’s arm during a practice session.
“While it was an unfortunate incident, it taught me an important lesson about teamwork and friendship. I saw how people came together to support a friend in a difficult moment, and that sense of unity has stayed with me ever since.”
Durbies‘ Head Coach, Johann van Deventer, noted these and other qualities when he first saw Jansen van Vuuren’s talent on the field: “I saw Muller play at u16 level, and was very impressed with his ability and skill in the lineouts. His evasive running and ability to identify space were also very impressive. I immediately observed his calm demeanor and leadership abilities.”
Van Deventer explained how the Durbanville captain’s game has evolved since: “Muller is the captain of the 1st XV and adds a sense of calmness to the side.
“He is a humble leader and never falters in his ability to either clean the cloakroom or thank the school’s supporters after every match.
“He leads by example, which inspires his teammates to put everything on the line for their school and the Durbanville community.”
Jansen van Vuuren’s game continues to evolve and improve, with both player and coach pointing out his improvement under the high ball: “The golden rule when fielding a high ball is to catch it at the absolute peak of your jump. Timing is everything. It’s a skill I continue to work on, as even a slight misjudgement can lead to a very awkward situation on the field. Getting that timing right can make all the difference,” Muller shared.
“His ability under the high ball and counterattacking skills have improved tremendously,” Van Deventer reckoned.
Casting an eye towards the future, Jansen van Vuuren shared his plans for the future with SuperSport Schools News: “On a personal level, I would like to complete a university degree, because I understand that rugby can be unpredictable and it’s important to have opportunities beyond the game.
“From a rugby perspective, it has always been my dream to play professionally. For now, I am focused on working hard, improving every day, and seeing what the future holds.”
He’s been one of the key players in a solid season for Durbanville and recently opened the scoring in a 71-0 triumph over Hoërskool Melkbosstrand.
With Muller Jansen van Vuuren leading from the front, Durbies will aim to continue making happy memories when they resume their 2026 campaign in July.
