Big men are built for big occasions, so there is something wonderfully fitting about Ruan Nortje playing his 150th match for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship play-offs at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Nortje will head to Japan to play his club rugby next season and Saturday’s quarter-final showdown against Ireland’s Munster will be his last home match for the Bulls in Pretoria.
Unless of course Connacht, seeded eighth in the play-offs, stun No 1 Glasgow Warriors on Friday night. That result, coupled with a Bulls home win, would see the Bulls host Connacht in the semi-finals a week later.
But it may be more romance than reality to think of such a scenario.
For now, Saturday is likely to be Nortje’s farewell to the Bulls supporters.
Nortje, the best No 5 lock in South Africa, is comfortable in the No 7 jersey, but it is in the second row where he has made his biggest impact for the Bulls and Springboks.
If you speak to Nortje’s teammates, coaches and opponents, the common description is one of excellence and the tone is one of respect.
He is no fuss, no ego and no noise.
Nortje is the complete package as a second rower. He has an engine that never stops, he is physically dominant, tactically intelligent and emotionally reliable.
Coaches and teammates rely on his consistency and opponents know the quality of 80 minutes he contributes every time he plays.
He leads through actions, more than bluster and thunder.
Jake White saw it years ago when he coached the Bulls. Johan Ackermann, who replaced White as Bulls coach, has been as impressed with a player whose work ethic commands presence.
Nortje’s career at the Bulls mirrors the revival of the club, who have played in three of the four URC finals and never missed out of on a play-off in the five season history of the competition.
Nortje represents every value associated with the best Bulls players. He has steel, discipline and a desire to succeed.
There are louder personalities and bigger social media profiles in the game, but rugby men understand the value of players like Nortje because teams are built around them.
Ruan Nortje
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
A year ago SA Rugby Magazine celebrated Nortje as the small kid from Pretoria West who had a big dream, which was to play for the Bulls.
Daspoort, to the west of Pretoria is generally known for two things: The Daspoort Tunnel, and the hard men who come out of a hardworking suburb where life isn’t fair and it teaches you this early on.
Wildest dreams
“For a small boy from Daspoort – in my wildest dream I never thought I’d captain this team,” he said: “When I think of this team, I just think of a small boy who had a big dream, and of lot of other boys with big dreams who just want to play for this team. It’s so special and such an honour just to represent a team like this.
“The biggest thing for me is always to appreciate the privilege I have to play in this jersey, and that’s why I play like it’s the last time I’ll have this opportunity. I just go out to enjoy it, and be the little boy that dreamt of this 20 years ago. That will always stay my motto. To go out and be the little kid who dreamt of this.”
Young gun to warrior captain
It’s been a journey of incredible personal growth for Nortjé as well, who has drawn praise for the way he’s stepped up not only in his own play in this competition which earned him a Springbok call-up, but also in his leadership.
Back yourself
“The biggest thing I’ve taken from this journey is you have to back yourself. At the start of my career I was maybe somebody who doubted myself because I didn’t always believe that I could play where I am at the moment. It’s crazy to see how nothing is impossible. Every time I get an opportunity to lead is an opportunity to grow more and learn from those around me, and by doing the right thing through my actions on the field.
“When I speak to the team, I always just try and be honest and to speak from the heart, and not to think too much about it. And to ask in prayer to say the right things at the right time and share the right words with the guys.
“Every time you look back it’s scary to see how quickly the time has passed, and you wonder when it will end and when the paths of this group will start going other ways. It just reminds you to stay in the moment and appreciate what you have now.”
