Kebble will still bump shoulders with old foes
WHEN he signed for Glasgow, he never expected to still be playing rugby in Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth. “It is interesting.” That was the reaction of Stormers and former SA U20 prop Oli Kebble when discussing his move to the Glasgow Warriors.
Kebble‚ 25‚ was referring to the Pro 12 tournament‚ in which Glasgow play. He joins the Scottish club next week.
That competition will include the Southern Kings and the Cheetahs from September – and Kebble, unexpectedly‚ will come up against some old foes, despite being 11 000km apart.
“I hope more South African teams start playing in Europe because it is easier in terms of time zones, and might even be more lucrative with regards to the TV rights‚” Kebble said.
“But it’s exciting and I look forward to seeing how it works out in the coming months.”
As the son of 1993-94 Springbok prop Guy‚ the young Kebble dreamt of being a senior Bok.
At his age it is still a possibility‚ but Kebble has decided to throw his lot in with Scotland.
The Stormers front ranker‚ part of the SA U20 team that won the 2012 World Championship on home soil‚ has decided to seek international recognition in Scotland‚ just as WP Nel and Josh Strauss did before him.
Kebble has not held down a regular starting berth at the Stormers and his Bok ambitions‚ so high in the immediate aftermath of 2012‚ have waned.
“I have signed a three-year deal with the Scottish Rugby Union and my intention is to commit my future there. I hope to get a passport and see where that leads me‚” Kebble said.
“It was a big decision to take, but I felt it was time to make a change in my career. I’ve done about all I can for the Stormers.
“I want to get out and see the world and try new experiences while I’m still relatively young.
“It’s difficult to say I was frustrated in SA, because there are a lot of good players in my position. I never had an opportunity for the senior Boks‚ but some guys came through who have been playing great rugby.”
The 124kg loosehead has had a taste of life abroad by doing his A Levels at Dulwich College in London‚ playing a season at Parisian second division club Mont-de-Marsan and a short stint at London Irish’s Academy.
“I have developed well as a player over the past five years. It has been a great honour to play for the Stormers, something I never expected as a schoolboy‚” Kebble said.
He believes that he needs a new challenge after Super Rugby’s expansion‚ which appears to have diluted the strength of the tournament.
“I definitely think it would be in Super Rugby’s interests to contract to a smaller competition – perhaps back to 12 teams – to really concentrate all the talent,” he said.