Rushine is doing it for his community and his little brother
DURBAN: The fairy tale of Maritzburg United’s young defender Rushine de Reuck has been a story of perspiration and inspiration.
The 22-year-old centre-back will be playing in his debut Cup final in top-flight football in front of his family and community.
The Team of Choice will lock horns with Free State Stars in the Nedbank Cup final at Cape Town Stadium tomorrow night.
De Reuck’s journey has had torrid times, but his desire for accomplishment has kept him going. In 2014 he was compelled to leave school in grade 11 and pursue his dream of playing in Europe. But his tenure in Europe was cut short because of homesickness.
“I didn’t finish matric because I decided to go to Europe in 2014. Football was the only thing I wanted to do. I have grade 11. In Europe I played for Pacos de Ferreira in Portugal. They spotted me while I was playing in the Bayhill Cup. I was part of the dream team. They choose the team that goes overseas after the tournament. I was with FC Porto for three months and then I went to Pacos de Ferreira. I wasn’t mature enough. I was a young boy and missed home and I decided to come back,” De Reuck said.
De Reuck was signed by Maritzburg as a free agent at the start of the season.
“Before I came here I wasn’t playing at all. I took a gap year from football. I trained with Milano United for one month, but I wasn’t really playing. Before I joined Milano’s Vodacom League I was with ASV Cape Town, it is a soccer school.Then I came here (Maritzburg) last season in April on trial. I clearly impressed and as they say, the rest is history,” De Reuck explained.
He has made 16 appearances in all competitions this season.
“I want to inspire kids from my area. We are role models to them. I have a younger brother (Redian) who plays for Mutual Academy. He is really excited. This is one of the main reasons I’m doing what I’m doing. I want to inspire him. I want to show kids that anything is possible if you work hard,” De Reuck said.
What a story it will be for De Reuck if he were to lift the Cup tomorrow in front of his mother and siblings.
“It is an amazing feeling. This is my first season in topflight football and to be playing my first final in Cape Town in front of my family is really amazing,” De Reuck said.
“As a team we are really happy. We’ve achieved a lot throughout the season. This goes to show how much you can achieve if you work hard.”
The Team of Choice are looking to become the first KwaZulu-Natal club to lift the Nedbank Cup since its inception in 1971.
“My family is coming. I come from the ghetto. People in my community can only dream of situations like this. I’m really proud of myself and I’m sure they (are) also proud. I’m the first professional footballer from my area. I have no doubt that they will come in their numbers,” De Reuck said.
“It has been an amazing journey. When I came to Maritzburg, I never thought something like this would happen. I set myself small goals. We’ve surprised a lot of people.”