Jonny Roche (2021M) is one of many young ODs making great strides in their career. We spoke to him about stepping up and the importance of making the most of opportunities.

“You have to believe you’re the right man for the job. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get better – there’s always room to improve.”

Twenty-two-year-old Jonathan Roche (2021M) was captain of the incredibly strong First XV that thumped Paul Roos and put 50 points past Rondebosch in the Covid-curtailed 2021 season. After two years establishing himself in age-group rugby and at the Varsity Cup, his career has taken a dramatic leap forward in barely six months: he announced his arrival as a professional by scoring a hat-trick for Western Province on his Currie Cup debut in July last year; he won his first Stormers cap off the bench in December; and he was superb in his first start for the franchise in January against Sale Sharks. Then, in February, he was invited to the first Springbok alignment camp of the year.

“I was given an opportunity due to a few injuries in the Stormers squad. Obviously, I’d never wish an injury on anyone, but it gave me some game time and a chance to prove myself. This is just the beginning, and I hope it’s the start of a long career. Stepping up to this level has been a big adjustment. I haven’t played at this level for long, but I’ve noticed the difference. Everything is quicker, everyone is a little stronger, and decisions must be made much faster.

“It’s all about training with more focus, and paying attention to detail. I’ve been watching more video clips, learning my position, and working with coaches to understand the game more fully. I’m also training harder, trying to get stronger and fitter, and make quicker decisions. Ball speed, passing, everything; I’m just trying to upgrade all aspects of my game.

“At this level, every small improvement makes a difference. If you’re stronger, you get up off the floor quicker, get back in line faster. If you’re fitter, you’re less tired, which helps you react faster and make better decisions. I’ve had to step up in training, in my work ethic, and in the way I approach the game. On the field, there’s no time to sit around or feel sorry for yourself – you just have to keep moving and keep pushing.

“Everyone knows what they’re doing. Each individual on the field has usually played a lot of rugby. They have experience, they’re faster. It’s just that bit more difficult than the games I’m used to.

“Stepping up to the next level comes down to working hard and committing fully to it. I feel like I’m a little behind the pace at times, and I’m trying to get to a point where I’m properly comfortable. I still get nervous before games; I know everyone does, but it’s something I’m determined to work through. No matter who’s in front of you, you still have to take them down, outthink them and outwork them.

“I’m still a small fish in a big pond. I’m trying to stay the same person. Nothing’s really changed – the only shift is that I’m working harder and putting more effort into rugby. The biggest challenge has been balance, especially in relationships. When you’re working such long hours, it’s difficult to always be there for your friends or spend time with them. I think that will come with time and experience. You don’t want to let other aspects of your life fade away. You have to stay connected to friends and family.

“While I wouldn’t exactly call this fame, you do have a job to do, and people have expectations of you. Knowing that you have to perform week in, week out can be difficult. Even if you put in your best effort, if you have a bad game, people won’t be happy. You never set out to make mistakes, but you will make them – and dealing with that is something I’m still learning. If you make a mistake, don’t dwell on it or beat yourself up. Everyone makes them; the key is to learn from them, to keep improving – not just as a player, but as a person too. If you stay where you are and stop growing, someone else will come along and take your spot.

“I’m also still trying to understand my own game and find my role within the team. I’m not trying to prove anything to anyone; it’s more about proving to myself that I can cope at this level, and that I can make a real impact. I think I’ve been fortunate in that, when opportunities have come up, I’ve been in the right place at the right time. But I’ve also taken those opportunities, and used them to push myself forward. I won’t shy away from opportunities, and I’d like to think I’ve been grabbing them with both hands.

“It really comes down to putting your head down and working hard. The harder you work, the more opportunities you create for yourself. You can’t just sit back and wait for things to happen. You have to believe you’re the right man for the job. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get better – there’s always room to improve. So for me, it’s about continuing to work hard, keeping my head down, and staying focused.

“At the Stormers, there are so many incredible people with a mindset of giving back and going the extra mile. Everyone is so genuine and great to be around, which makes the experience really enjoyable. In the past six months alone, I’ve met guys who do so much extra work for themselves and the team. Someone like Brok Harris stands out: he’s always giving advice, always there to help. He coached me at U21 level while still training full time with the Stormers. He’d go through his entire training session, then come to our afternoon session and train with us; he’d be there from 7.30 in the morning till 7.30 at night. That kind of commitment is just incredible.

“You realise these guys have so much love for the game. No task is too big for them, and despite everything they’ve already achieved, they continue to step up. It makes me realise that there’s plenty of room for me to grow; these players clearly show that, through their relentless work ethic and willingness to help others. Before one game, Manie Libbok stayed after training to help me tweak a few small things that made a difference in the game. That kind of support and generosity is something I really admire.

“Bishops is where it all started for me, where I really grew, where I was shaped by the teachers and coaches. Rugby-wise, it taught me the philosophy of running rugby and the belief that there are always opportunities. The team I was part of had this never-say-die attitude: no matter how down you were or how dark the situation looked, you always found something more. You had to dig deep, find the energy you didn’t know you had left, and give it everything you could.

“Bishops has produced a lot of good people and many great ODs, with many valuable connections to give me a solid platform. I know that if I need help, a whole support system is in place.”

Career advice for young ODs

“Enjoy the process. It’ll feel long sometimes, and most probably very tiring, but at the end of the day, it’ll be worth it. Just keep pushing through. You might end up in a completely different place from where you expected to be, but that’s okay, because you’ll have learnt so much. The work you’re doing now – even if it’s hard, or you don’t see the benefits right away – will pay off in the long run.”