Flyhalf Jurie Matthee is relishing the chance to continue his development as a backline general in the Carling Currie Cup.
The 23-year-old has built on his breakthrough 2023/24 campaign, donning the No 10 jersey for DHL Western Province in the first four rounds of the 2024 Carling Currie Cup and impressing with his game management.
Matthee’s steady emergence has been illustrated in his 38 points in his four appearances, against the Vodacom Bulls (home and away), the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein and NovaVit Griffons in Welkom.
This includes 13 conversions and three penalties, while Matthee is one of two players to have slotted a drop goal this campaign.
“I have really enjoyed my experience. It’s been lovely to get back on the pitch and get some game time,” Matthee said.
A natural leader and excellent communicator, Paarl-raised Matthee has come through the DHL Western Province ranks and captained Maties during the 2023 Varsity Cup.
He made his DHL Stormers debut in the Investec Champions Cup match against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road. Going toe-to-toe with incumbent Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard, he scored 16 points in steering an impressive performance from a young team.
With DHL WP focused on growing the squad, Matthee is once again embracing the opportunity to take the reins of a young backline, featuring plenty of up-and-coming talent.
“I am still learning and growing into the role of being a 10 and a leader in the team. We are a youthful squad, and there are a lot of guys showing some talent,” Matthee said.
“We are building towards a stronger squad. Even though we aren’t getting the results in every game, we are building as a team.”
Matthee is not alone his his mission, surrounded by seasoned campaigners like Clayton Blommetjies, Wandisile Simelane, Angelo Davids and Courtnall Skosan.
“They have been tremendous in their roles,” he said. “That experience helps, definitely. It’s been good to have them around.”
Having sat out DHL WP’s bonus-point win against the NovaVit Griffons in Cape Town, Matthee is ready to go against defending champions, the Toyota Cheetahs.
DHL WP are still in the race for the Carling Currie Cup playoffs and Matthee is eager to apply the lesson from trips to Bloemfontein and Pretoria, where the team lost after leading in the first half.
“The Toyota Cheetahs never go away. They play for 80 minutes. For us, as a group, we must pitch up and be ready to go all the way and play rugby for 80 minutes,” Matthee said.
“We learned a tough lesson two weeks ago at Loftus Versfeld, that one half is not good enough. We will be ready to play 80 minutes on Saturday.”
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
