JJ Kotze is enjoying the game time he’s getting as Western Province’s first-choice hooker in the Currie Cup.
He’s featured in all of their games so far in the middle of the scrums, and has been putting in some encouraging performances as he tries to climb the hooker ladder in the Cape.
Having three Springboks as his “rivals” at the Stormers and Western Province also spurs him on to chase higher goals, looking ahead to the new United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup seasons.
For now, though, the 23-year-old is happy to bide his time and continue racking up the minutes in the blue-and-white hoops as they prepare to face a tough trip away to the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld tomorrow (5.15pm start).
Having already lost to the Bulls earlier this month in the first round of the Currie Cup, WP will look to set the record straight, and are expected to bring in some reinforcements in the forwards and backs for the clash.
“You always get that feeling early in the week already that it is the Province v Bulls weekend, no matter the competition,” Kotze said about the north-south derby.
“It’s always a tough battle when you play the Bulls – it doesn’t matter if it is in the Currie Cup, the URC or a play-off game. It can even just be a warm-up game. It’s that Province v Bulls derby.
“We are looking forward to it. We will put the expectations on ourselves and not the result.”
⏭️ Onto the next. #wpjoulekkerding #dhldelivers pic.twitter.com/X3zmehBuj6
— WP RUGBY (@WP_RUGBY) July 23, 2024
According to Kotze, it’s been a different but rewarding journey playing alongside some youngsters in the pack of forwards.
He has been the middle man in the scrums for WP, and although they’ve already had two losses and just a single win – 64-15 over the Griffons in Welkom last Sunday – they won’t stop fighting.
They are set to receive a welcome boost of experienced props returning from injury for tomorrow’s clash in Pretoria against the unbeaten Bulls.
Kotze, though, is not too fussed about who he is playing next to as long as they can contribute to the team as a unit.
He is excited about the competition at hooker, and feels it will grow his game and put the team in a better place.
The youngster harbours dreams of donning the Springbok jersey, but he knows hard work lies ahead to get there.
“As a player, you will never improve if that competition and pressure is not there,” he said.
“If you play in a place where you are comfortable and you can stay there, it doesn’t force you to grow as a player. It doesn’t push you to improve.
“I am happy for Vennas (André-Hugo Venter) and Joe (Joseph Dweba), who have been with the Springboks.
“It’s given me the opportunity to chase them and try and get there myself. But the goal now is just to get more time on the field, especially now during the Currie Cup and the start of the URC.”