Planning your life after rugby

Former Lions prop Jacobie Adriaanse (above) helped plant a seed among his team-mates by urging them to plan for life after rugby from an early age, says young Lions prop Leo Kruger.

Adriaanse had encouraged his fellow players to study part-time, according to Kruger, which had become even more important in these uncertain times.

“Somebody who I personally looked up to and who was a great mentor to me is Adriaanse,” Kruger said.

“He also obtained his B.Com degree in marketing at the University of Stellenbosch and now works in the corporate world after his rugby career.”

Kruger, 22, had established himself among the Lions’ most prominent emerging talents.

He credited his father, the wellknown Leon “Kattes” Kruger, a prominent figures in Western Province rugby circles, for providing him with support from a young age.

“I have played my entire life in the front row, from the age of six when I started with rugby,” he said.

It was the sound environment the Lions had created for their players, according to Kruger, that resulted in his decision to move to Joburg after he matriculated from Paarl Boys High.

“I am very privileged to find myself in a work environment which is based on principles like respect, caring for your fellow human beings and cohesion,” he said.

Kruger admitted this year had taken a turn that no-one saw coming. “But my head has always been tuned in that I have to prepare myself for life after rugby,” he said.