Front-rower Leo is a man to keep on eye on

Considered one of the brightest prospects the Lions have lured from Paarl Boys High in the Western Cape, big prop Leo Kruger (above) could have the world at his feet.

The 22-year-old front-rower, who has played four Currie Cup games for the Golden Lions and three in the SuperSport Challenge, yesterday recalled being identified while still at school.

“I made the call to come to the Lions due to ‘Oom Bart’ Schoeman who was the Lions’ high performance manager at the time,” Kruger said.

“He approached me when I was still in grade 11 and he managed to build a good relationship with my parents.

“We were six players at the time from Boys High who made the move to Joburg, so that also helped.”

The Lions were able to beat offers from the Bulls and Western Province, in order to secure the talented young player in 2016.

“The turning point was when I saw the opportunities the Lions were prepared to offer me, not only to live out my dream as a professional sportsman, but at the same time they supported me with my studies,” said Kruger, who was working towards a B.Com degree.

Kruger played Craven Week for Province, and with his 1.88m and 113kg frame he was a key member of the Golden Lions’ U-19 and U-21 teams.

Though he was focussed on his studies while the game was suspended during the national lockdown, he was eager to shine for the Lions when domestic rugby resumed, and continue to repay the union for its commitment in the early stages of his career.

“It was obviously a big adjustment to leave the beautiful landscapes of the Cape behind me to move to the busy city life of Johannesburg,” Kruger said.

“But the Lions made my teammates and I from the Cape feel very welcome and they went to the utmost extremes to make our stay an enjoyable one.”