SCHALK VAN SCHALKWYK: FROM INJURY SETBACKS TO VARSITY CUP SUCCESS

Cristine Struweg

@c_r_i_s_1_0

 

Schalk van Schalkwyk, a key member of the NWU Eagles squad that won the 2023 Varsity Cup, matriculated from Hoër Landbouskool Boland in Paarl. A utility forward, he can play both flanker and second row, but his preference is the second row.

 

When asked what it means to be a Varsity Cup champion, Schalk said, “It’s an amazing feeling, but it still feels unreal to be called a champion.” While achieving this goal is significant, he’s determined to reach even greater heights in his rugby career. “It feels unreal because I’ve worked so hard since I was a little boy, putting in all the time and effort. Now, it’s my big moment.”

 

Being a full-time rugby player comes with its challenges, but having a strong support system is key to the team’s success. “Having brother-like relationships with fellow players and coaching staff who’ve been through the varsity rugby journey is why we’re able to keep our heads above water amid the crazy schedules,” he explained. While the physical and mental challenges persist, knowing they are not alone makes it easier to keep pushing forward.

 

Schalk’s promising start to the Varsity Cup was slowed by recurring injuries over the past two years. During this time, he constantly reminded himself of his “why,” which kept him going through the tough moments. “If your ‘why’ is big enough, nothing will hold you back, and you’ll see nothing else,” he said.

 

His greatest inspirations come from a close-knit group of people who have influenced him since he first stepped onto the field as a young boy. “I owe everything to my coaches, my mother, and my inner circle. They are the motivation behind my hard work and resilience,” he said.

 

After a tough game, everyone finds their own way of feeling accomplished, but for Schalk, it’s when someone tells him, “Well done” or “I’m proud of you.” “Those small words have a big impact on me,” he confessed.

 

When asked what advice he would give to aspiring players, Schalk shared, “Everyone always tells you to work hard, and it might sound like a cliché, but they’ve already done it, and they know what it takes to succeed. Believe them and work hard. The time is now—it’s called the ‘present’ for a reason.”

 

Edited by Lesiba Dikhoba