A road less travelled: NWU Varsity Cup hero ready for Roses opportunity
“Our whole family is incredibly excited about the possibility of watching him make his debut against Fiji. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Ten years ago, a young lad from Thabazimbi made Varsity Cup history in the NWU 10 jersey by scoring the competition’s first-ever nine-point try.
A decade later, Benhard Janse van Rensburg is once again making headlines – this time with the opportunity to earn his first Test cap for England against Fiji this weekend after being named in Steve Borthwick’s squad.
Should he pull on England’s famous white jersey, he will become the first rugby player from Thabazimbi and Hoërskool Frikkie Meyer to represent England at test level.
Benhard’s journey proves that dreams can come true. He did not emerge from one of South Africa’s traditional rugby powerhouses but carved out his own path through determination and hard work.
His possible England debut has also sparked debate among world rugby fans, as he previously represented South Africa at Under-20 level. Benhard, however, believes the only place to answer his critics is on the field.
The Bristol Bears centre has built a reputation for his humility, coachability and relentless work ethic. Off the field, he has become something of a cult hero in Bristol, with his trademark mullet inspiring young supporters to copy his hairstyle.
England’s cold, wet weather could not be more different from the warm Bushveld where he grew up, but adapting has been a constant throughout his career.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to play international rugby,” said Benhard. “When Steve Borthwick called me, I was overjoyed. No matter who I play for, my goal is always to give my very best.”
His mother, Zanie, describes him as a humble, God-fearing farm boy.
“He loves sport and competition. People might think he’s full of himself, but he actually just enjoys banter. Growing up on a farm taught him patience. The rewards of hard work take time,” she said.
“Our whole family is incredibly excited about the possibility of watching him make his debut against Fiji. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Nothing came easily for Janse van Rensburg. He only started playing rugby in Grade 8 and never attended one of South Africa’s famous rugby schools. Every step towards the professional game was earned.
His breakthrough came in 2016 when NWU won its first Varsity Cup title, defeating Maties 7-6 after an epic 89-minute final in Stellenbosch.
“I was blessed to be in the right place at the right time,” he said. “I was surrounded by experienced players like Johan Deysel and Rhyno Smith. The Varsity Cup opens doors for a young player.”
He arrived at NWU without a rugby scholarship, unexpectedly secured a place in Patria Men’s Residence, caught the attention of Leopards Under-19 coach Melusi Mthethwa and was later called into the Varsity Cup squad by Jonathan Mokuena.
“He was as hardworking as they come,” Mokuena recalled. “You never had to tell Benhard to work harder. He always gave everything on and off the field.”
The NWU connection remains strong, with his younger brother, HJ, now also playing for the university at flanker and hoping to follow in his footsteps by featuring in the 2027 Varsity Cup squad.
Janse van Rensburg credits mentors such as Franco Smith, who gave him opportunities at the Cheetahs, where he won the Currie Cup in 2019. Stints in Japan and at London Irish followed before the club went into administration in 2023, opening the door for a move to Bristol Bears.
“I didn’t have to think twice about playing in England,” he said with a smile, adding that understanding British time expressions like “half-eight” for 08:30 in of the Afrikaans half-agt (07:30) was initially harder than adapting to the weather.
“The Premiership forces you to improve every week. I wake up every morning with gratitude. I know how privileged I am, and I’ll never take these opportunities for granted.”
©Higher Education Media Services.