Jansen ready for the catfight
DAUNTING: ‘PIET PISTON’ STEPS INTO MARX’S BIG SHOES
For many players it would be a daunting prospect to step into the big shoes left behind by Springbok icon Malcolm Marx, but Lions hooker Pieter Jansen is not one to steer away from a challenge.
With Marx taking a sabbatical in Japan, Jansen departed yesterday as the Lions’ first-choice hooker for their opening Super Rugby clash against last year’s finalists the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
“What Malcolm has achieved is great,” said the 24-year-old Jansen, who has been in the Lions structures for the past three seasons.
“I just wanted to get myself to his level, so it was always good to have him next to me and to measure myself against him.
“But we did well with a young group in the Currie Cup last season and now we want to take that momentum into Super Rugby and build on that, so the expectations are high.”
Now enjoying the physical part of the game, after being moved from No 8 to hooker when he was at school at Dr EG Jansen in Boksburg, Jansen said he had admired retired Bok star Schalk Brits in his youth.
“I also looked up to John Smit with the way he composed himself, the way his basic skills were good without any frills, and he was a good speaker and good captain.”
Looking ahead to this weekend’s fixture, Jansen echoed the words of former Lions coach Swys de Bruin, who believed it was beneficial to face the Jaguares early in the season.
“There’s not much video work they can do on you and no team has any momentum yet,” he said.
“We have had a good pre-season, but it’s a bit of an unknown factor that exuberance plays a big role in the first game.”
According to Jansen, his teammates called him “Piet Piston”, and though he was unsure why, the nickname has stuck.
He felt it was indicative of the Lions’ healthy team spirit.
“With a new coach it’s a new phase for the Lions and because everyone says we are a young team and have young coaches we just want to show what we are capable of as a group. We know what challenges lie ahead and we are ready to take them on.”