Border Bulldogs flyhalf Reinhardt Gerber missed three goal kicks in his team’s 15-12 loss to the Lions in their Vodacom Cup match two weeks ago. The fact that he was kicking in the most atrocious weather, with rain and mud aggravating the conditions, did not matter. He still missed three kicks, and took it so personally that he spent hours after the match practising.
It is this single determination to succeed that is the driving force behind Gerber’s dream to gets his hands on the Springbok number 10 jersey.
”I spend a lot of time practising my kicking and I’m really focused on being the best flyhalf I can be,” says the 24-year-old import from Johannesburg, who now captains the Bulldogs.
”It’s my dream to play Springbok rugby one day. I know I can play at the highest level. I believe I can get there.”
Gerber, nicknamed Sophie after a rugby mentor he had during his days at Monument High School in Krugersdorp, began his rugby career with the Lions and was the fullback in the team that won the Vodacom Cup against the Vodacom Blue Bulls last year.
”I moved to East London because I didn’t think I’d get a place in the Lions set-up again. I love it here, it’s quiet — like I am — and I really enjoy playing for the team,” Gerber says.
Ironically, he again proved to be a bit of a bogey for the Bulls as he guided the Bulldogs to a shock 33-26 win over the Pretoria side last weekend, kicking 18 of those points.
”He’s committed and his approach to the game is very professional,” says Delarey du Preez, assistant coach of the Border Bulldogs.
”Off the field, his individual work rate is very impressive, he pushes himself hard all the time. I think he can go all the way, his kicking, distribution of the ball and his tactical approach to the game are great; he is the perfect number 10,” Du Preez says.
Gerber is also revelling in his role as captain of the Bulldogs.
”The role of captain is very important to me. Actually, I enjoy it because I stress a lot about my own game and being captain sometimes allows me to concentrate on the team’s success. It’s not really an added pressure for me.”
The flyhalf will be the first to admit that seeing the name ”Sophie” on a team sheet does not exactly instil fear in the opposition. But he’s happy to be called anything, as long as it is followed by ”Springbok flyhalf”. — Sapa