2016 has been a whirlwind year for Stormers utility back Scott van Breda.
2016 has been a whirlwind year for Stormers utility back Scott van Breda.
Having initially looked set to play Super Rugby for the Southern Kings, he was forced to move to Western Province due to financial turmoil at the Eastern Cape side. Here, he fought his way up the ranks and ended up making his Stormers Super Rugby debut against the Melbourne Rebels on 2 July.
Fortunately for van Breda, he is accustomed to change. When he matriculated from Rondebosch Boys High School in 2009, he was uncertain about his future. Eventually, he took a leap of faith and move to Kingswood for a bridging year – in which he could continue his studies, while focusing on improving his rugby and cricket.
It proved an inspired decision, as van Breda shone for the Kingswood First XV and earned a spot in the Eatern Province Kings Academy. Ultimately, van Breda's time at the Grahamstown school was vital in helping him choose a career path.
Van Breda has fond memories of his rugby year at Kingswood, but one stands out in particular.
"Definitely [my favourite memory]would have to be against Dale. I kicked the winning kick when time was up and we beat Dale 15-14 at home, so that would have to be the highlight that year," he said.
Van Breda is ineligible for Saturday's Super Rugby quarter-final against the Chiefs. Due to having not been named in the Stormers' initial Super Rugby squad, competition rules state that he would have needed to play in four games in order to qualify for selection. Unfortunately for him, he missed the cut by one appearance.
Van Breda will not run out in the Super Rugby playoffs unless the Stormers suffer an injury crisis and he is given special permission. Consequently, he has been forced to travel to Namibia with the Western Province Currie Cup squad for Saturday's fixture against the Welwitschias.
Unsurprisingly, van Breda is disappointed that he will not be at Newlands that day to help his side's bid to claim their first Super Rugby title. However, the lifelong Stormers fan insisted: "As long as they win, that's first prize."
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