“I have always loved rugby. I don’t remember a time I didn’t want to pursue the contact sport professionally.”
These are the words of rising local rugby star Jarod Cairns, who kicked off the year on an incredible high, making his Carling Currie Cup debut for the Golden Lions against DHL Western Province in Round 1 of the 2022 Premier Division.
The Johannesburg side not only lost the opening away match of the premier tournament played in Cape Town on Saturday 15 January (48–36).
Interestingly, they were also trumped (9–50) by a strong Pumas outfit the following Saturday (19 January).
Because of the rotation of players, Jarod was on the bench for the third game played against the Sharks on 19 February and resulted in another defeat (31–43).
The Lions are facing the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein this coming Saturday (5 March).
The 20-year-old Helderberg native’s rugby career started with discovering his passion at the tender age of 5 and striving toward the dream of representing his country on the field since he started playing the game as a Grade 1 De Hoop Primary School learner.
“I don’t remember my first rugby match as it was way back when I was 7 years old. However, I do believe we won the game because my team almost never lost a match in primary school.”
Jarod admitted that at first engaging in the sport as avid little player meant chasing after a ball on the field.
But, he soon got into form when they started playing a more structured game around the age of 10.
For the avid player highlights of his rugby achievements at school level started while at Paul Roos Gymnasium. The then 15-year-old’s team went undefeated and was ranked at number 1 for the age group in the country.
Jarod went on to captain the teams selected for the Western Province Grant Khomo Week in 2017; WP academy at Craven Week in 2018; WP 7s in 2018 (that participated in the interprovincial competition); and WP Craven week XV side and SA Schools A team in 2019.
“After I matriculated I went to Australia to play at the Melbourne Rebels. Unfortunately, due to Covid I came home. The Lions approached me to play for them in 2020 and I was privileged enough to be part of the under-20 team last August.
“The team went on to win the under-20 Currie Cup game in a nail biting final against Western Province.”
Jarod considered his Currie Cup debut earlier this year as “a dream come true”, adding: “Just watching the Currie Cup a couple years ago, dreaming of playing in it and then actually playing in it is just so surreal.”
It triggers a memory, recalling how as a young boy he would tell his dad’s friend Jannes Labuschagne, who at the time played for the Lions, he was going to be a rugby player just like him during visits.
“My rugby dream is to play at the highest level,” said Jarod.
The keen loose forward who often takes on the position of flank and eighth man, described being out on the field for the love of the game as the most amazing feeling, second to none. He said when running out onto the field he is overwhelmed with excitement and determination to give the game his best.
Pulsed on what motivates him to give his absolute all in every match, Jarod said: “There are multiple things that motivate me to go out and give my best on the field. I believe that whatever I am doing I must give 110% effort towards it. Honestly, I just love what I do and enjoy every moment. If you enjoy what you do it is easy to give your best.”
The admirable sportsman shared the following words of wisdom with other young aspiring rugby players: “Just keep working hard and never give up on your goals, because when your chance comes you must be ready to take it and know that you are well prepared and ready for it.”
