Luke shares his journey through the challenging world of rugby, highlighting the importance of resilience and adaptability both on and off the field. He reflects on his early days in Stellenbosch, the impact of COVID-19 on his high school rugby experience, and his rise through the ranks to play in the Currie Cup. Luke emphasizes the pressure of competition at Western Province, where he learns to balance the demands of the sport with a life beyond rugby, including his studies and entrepreneurial ventures. He discusses the significance of mentorship from his father and the lessons learned about never becoming complacent in a fast-changing environment. The conversation also touches on the growth of rugby in South Africa, the potential for young players, and Luke's excitement for the future of the sport.

Takeaways:

• Luke emphasizes the importance of balancing rugby with other interests for a sustainable future.
• He highlights the pressure of competition in rugby and the need for mental resilience.
• Luke shares that his father played a crucial role in his rugby journey and development.
• He believes that opportunities in rugby can come at any age, so persistence is key.
• The podcast discusses the importance of junior rugby structures and media exposure for young players.
• Luke's entrepreneurial venture, a clothing brand, aims to promote local South African artists.

Links referenced in this episode:

• instagram.com/Luketheburger
• instagram.com/voidco

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Western Province
• Stormers
• UCT
• Maltese

Who's been your toughest opponent?

Yeah, I'd say Kirtley Orenser was quite tough.

You know, it's like you always see them playing on tv.

But once you actually get on the field and play against them, it's like their speed and like, reaction and the intensity to things is just like really high.

One of the lessons that you've learned.

From rhagby, never give up or get comfortable.

Hey, Luke, it's great to have you here.

To start, can you give us a bit of a quick snapshot of your rugby journey.

Where you came from and where you are currently playing?

Yeah, so I've pretty much been playing rugby as long as I can remember from being small, like playing under seven barefoot rugby all the way through high school.

I've been in Stellenbosch for most of my life.

And went to high school at Porters gymnasium where I played all my high school rugby.

Unfortunately, Covid came along in my matricia.

So we didn't have much rugby in my matricia.

But I was fortunate enough to then get contracted at Western Province.

And sort of play all my junior rugby there.

Under 20, under 21.

And now been fortunate enough to be playing Curry cup for the last two seasons after school.

And what were your early days like?

Obviously with COVID and all of that stuff.

How did you come to pursue rugby?

So my father played rugby for Western Province and won or two Springbok caps.

So from young I was sort of interested in rugby.

As long as I can remember, I wanted to play rugby professionally.

I studied off after school at Maltese and now currently at UCT just to sort of give myself options.

Didn't want to just pursue rugby fully with having nothing to fall back on.

But y'all from young I've always wanted to play rugby as a career.

And sort of live a life on the side as well, pursuing other things.

But y'all, with rugby being my main goal and Covid made things tough.

I was fortunate enough to in grade eleven I played for Porus first team already.

Which gave me a bit of an opportunity to get my name out there.

Which helped me secure a contract at western Province.

And yeah, since then really been enjoying my rugby at Western Province.

Been a childhood dream to play for them.

And hopefully one day to make my debut for the Stormers as well.

I mean, competition at that level at Western Province is obviously intense.

I mean, how do you handle the pressure and keep your performance levels up at this moment?

Yeah, it's always a high pressure environment and a lot of stress.

And everything.

But one thing I must say is the players and the coaching staff have really created an environment for us at the province where they try to take a bit of pressure off of you and remind you that you're still a human being, you're.

Rugby isn't your whole life and the world's not going to really come to an end if you're not selected each weekend.

So, yeah, it's tough, but I think it's important to remember that you do still have a life outside of rugby and luckily I've got lots of friends and family that sort of support me and sort of reassure me in what's important in life and, yeah, motivate me to just keep doing my best.

Yeah.

And I mean, rugby is obviously filled with a lot of ups and downs.

I mean, what has you been your most challenging part of this journey, whether it be on the field or off the field?

And how did you push through those tough times?

Yeah, you know, one thing that comes to mind is sort of coming from the junior ranks, sort of securing that senior contract has definitely been what was stressful for me.

I know a lot of young rugby players want to pursue it going further and make it their career, but, you know, there is only so many contracts that can be given out.

So I think sort of just with the mind shift that I made, that helped me feel a bit more comfortable with that challenge was, you know, it's not really in my hands.

All I can do is sort of play my best and do my best and if I do that, then the outcome is the outcome.

And yes, from then, sort of I started playing better rugby where once I took the pressure off myself and sort of just worked my hardest and do my part and, yeah, leave the rest to God and the coaches and.

Yeah, yeah, and obviously looking at the Curry cup this season, I mean, it's been a tough one for western province.

I mean, how is the team cohesion?

I mean, what's the kind of main focus for the rest of the Curry cup and obviously leading up to the URC, what does your chances look like to compete in there?

Yeah, so, obviously, but disappointing with our season so far, only beating the Griffins twice and losing all our other games.

But the focus hasn't necessarily been so much on the results.

I mean, as you can see from the team selections over the last games, there's been a lot of youngsters coming through and a lot of debuts being made and different combinations being tried.

So I think the group has really grown since our first game and I think that was one of our primary goals is to sort of test new players, different combinations and sort of build squad depth as well, blooding some youngsters into the Curry cup, giving some valuable experience.

And for players like me that are not able to play in the junior competitions anymore, I think it's a good opportunity for us to stick our hand up going into URC, to try and break through there.

And you're just looking at my chances for playing.

Obviously it's difficult to say.

It's up to the coaches, but I think there is opportunity with some of the key players that are obviously at the box, which leaves open positions for new guys to sort of stick hand up and try and fill that place.

Yeah.

And a bit about, like you mentioned earlier about life after rugby.

I mean, I've recently retired due to an injury and there's a lot of things that I could have done a bit different to, to make more out of my rugby career.

I mean, what would you say for you, who's obviously still young, who has that mind shift already about life after rugby?

I mean, how do you find that balance to obviously relax and recharge outside of rugby, but also trying to do something that you could secure yourself up for something after rugby?

I think it's definitely important just from a space of taking a mind off rugby to pursue things outside of it.

Obviously going into next year especially, I won't be studying then anymore.

So I'll definitely have a lot more time to sort of take up my career as a professional rugby player, but more serious, but also on the side, you know, sort of pursuing things that I'm interested in trying to maybe build a business on the side or something like that.

Because there's definitely time in my life or in rugby players lives to sort of do something else on the side which just sort of keeps your mind occupied on something else as well as setting you up for something off the rugby.

Because, I mean, rugby career is only so long and you know, it's.

It's quite tough to sort of come out of rugby into a whole new environment and try to start from scratch.

I definitely think it's valuable to sort of try and set those, that base for yourself so that when you do exit your rugby career that you have something to sort of continue working on.

Yeah, 100%.

And then just about your studies, I mean, what did you study those last couple of years?

And is there any kind of business interests or hobbies that you're thinking of pursuing while obviously still playing rugby?

Which also makes it a bit hard to do something on a full time, but it's still good to have some sort of interest outside of Rackley when it comes to a business venture or setting up something.

Yeah, so straight off the school I studied at Maltese for three years I studied ECom in commerce and the focal area being investment management.

And now currently at UCT I'm studying an honours also focused on investments.

So yeah, that's sort of my interest in the financial sector.

But I think going forward still have to see what sort of business that I'm going to venture into.

At the moment.

I'm actually, I've started a clothing brand with my university roommate, so that's exciting.

I'll see where that goes.

But yeah, I'm definitely interested in sort of building businesses in different areas, working with different people.

Yeah, I'm definitely interested in the entrepreneur side of things and finance.

Okay, what is the business name?

So we can help you promote it a bit on this?

Yeah, so it's.

The business name is void, the Instagram handles voidco.

So it's basically just to give some background to it is we collaborate with artists in South Africa we've just recently started.

But yeah, we collaborate with artists, sort of try and give them exposure and then we embroider their designs on our hoodies and we'll obviously expand into things like t shirts and other clothing items.

But for now we're doing hoodies and yeah, sort of just create awareness for local artists that may not get as much exposure, sort of share profits with them just to make it a bit more sustainable.

Yeah, that's great.

Well done.

Well on that.

And then obviously you just mentioned that in terms of giving back, I mean, if you look at the current junior structures in South Africa and where you've come from, I mean, what are your thoughts of the current kind of state of the junior structures in South Africa?

I mean, do you think there's any improvements that could be made when it comes to kind of grassroots levels after school, even going through your matrix and at nine year when you're trying to get a contract, I mean, what was your experience like with that?

Yeah, I think my experience was quite good.

It's difficult to say from maybe some other perspectives, but I think things like Varsity cup and other competitions really also create opportunity for players to sort of secure contracts if they maybe haven't been in the spotlight from school.

I mean, knowing how big school rugby is in South Africa, it's sometimes difficult to sort of get your name out there if there's only a few other players that are being focused on and in terms of the junior structures.

I think over the last years, especially at province, they've really put a lot of emphasis on the importance of it.

I mean, even pulling some of those juniors now into curry cup to give them exposure and then to go back down to those junior teams and sort of take charge there and lead their teams.

I think one thing that is maybe could be improved is for the junior games.

I know, like our games weren't really televised over the last year so if, I think if they could work to televising some of the junior games it will help a lot of players to sort of get that exposure they need trying to build their profile going into senior rugby.

And I mean just on a personal kind of note, I mean every player has moments that define them.

I mean you're obviously still young but is there any kind of inspirational or pivotal moment the last couple of years that you could say that's kind of shaped you or done something for you in your career?

Yeah, I'd say.

I think last year was one of the more important years in my rugby career.

You know, I was started at Marty's and didn't really get as much game time as I would have liked to.

And yeah, I was a bit like down about it, like not getting selected, you know, players really happy not playing on the weekend, on the Monday and I sort of went to Curry cup and I got some opportunity there and yeah, I played a few games and I played well.

And last year's under 21 tournament we were fortunate enough to go unbeaten and we won the tournament and I sort of made that mindset switch that I spoke about earlier of sort of taking the pressure off of not trying to make mistake or like scared to do something and that really just helped me with my game as a whole.

You know, being almost fearless on the field and sort of just playing how I know I can and that job, that really just gave me confidence now leading up into this year and helping me to sort of carry on just doing what I do.

Yeah, I mean who has been your most influential person in your journey, whether it be in rugby or outside of it?

I mean, how has that impacted your, your life?

Yeah, I definitely say my father, you know, from like high school level, he'd always take the time in holidays and stuff like that helped me with different roles and he'd be watching videos on things like how to improve your speed and work on certain skills.

So yeah, he's really helped me throughout my career sort of putting out time, always coming to watch my games and things like that and sort of giving me advice after my games.

So he's really played a big role in that.

And then also just my family sort of supporting me.

You know, I'm very fortunate that they all sort of live in and around close to me in Cape Town and Stellenbosch sort of watching all of my games and just supporting me in the good times and the bad.

Yeah, and I mean, rakbit teaches you a lot of life lessons, and, I mean, I've learned a lot throughout my career, but I mean, what's one of the lessons that you've learned from rugby that you kind of can implement every day in your daily life?

Yeah, I think one thing is sort of things change so quickly.

You know, 1 second, you could maybe be like one of the best players and someone else comes along and sort of starts putting pressure on you.

So I just feel like to sort of never get comfortable.

You know, you could be at one point in your life inside and outside of rugby where you think, you know, all is going great and you sort of don't want to get comfortable because things can change so quickly or get taken away from you.

So to just sort of keep working hard, whether you on top or on the bottom, you know, things change very quickly.

So sort of to never give up or get comfortable because, you know, things can change really quickly and you sort of want to just stay on top of it and do everything you can to put yourself in the best position.

Yeah, no, that's true.

And then just a couple of quick kind of behind you, Luke is, I mean, what is your favorite go to meal before big game?

Yeah, you know, we normally, when we go to the hotel, they serve quite similar food, but I mean, it's really good.

It's normally like a chicken lasagna, and then they've got a lot of, like, things that you can sort of build your own salad as well.

I'm big on that.

I like nice salad, something fresh.

And then they've got like this roast, like beef as well.

So, yeah, any protein really is a good go to before the games and then a coffee as well.

And who's been your toughest opponent the last season or two?

Ooh, that's a tough question, yo.

If I had to just sort of think off the cuff, I remember last year when we played the Bulls, they played quite a few of their top players, players like Kirtley, Orense, Marco Van Stahl, and those type of guys.

And, yeah, I'd say kirtly Orenser was quite tough.

You know, it's like you always see them playing on tv, but once you actually get on the field and play against them, it's like their speed and like reaction and the intensity to things is just like really high.

So I'd say, thinking back to it, I think that Bulls game plays like kirtly and like Markovan Stahl and would probably be the toughest guys.

Any hidden talents or surprising hobbies that you.

That you have that you can share with the fans?

Yeah, I guess one thing that comes to mind is I dj a little bit at the end of my matrice and Covid, I sort of bought myself some small decks and sort of playing around with it and then through university played at some of the residences, some of the corsaces at their dancers.

I haven't been as much busy with that, but yeah, I like to in my free time, you know, DJ.

But I'm very, very interested in music and things like that.

So, yeah, DJ.

Okay.

And I mean, for younger players looking up to you, what's the one piece of advice that you would give those guys who are kind of in that phases where they're thinking about pursuing rugby professionally and that obviously have a lot of rugby dreams?

Yeah, I think just for the young guys, you know, it's easy to sort of get negative if you're not selected.

So I say to them, sort of don't give up.

You know, if you've got that dream, just keep working hard.

Sort of leave the only factor that can really out as things that are out of your control.

I mean, you opportunities are rare, but when they do come along, you want to sort of use them to the best of your ability.

So just always stay ready, keep working hard and when those opportunities come, just like grab them and be fearless and express yourself and the rest is out of your hands.

Yeah.

And then finally, I mean, what excites you the most about the future in rugby and beyond?

Yeah, I think over the last few years rugby has really been growing, getting a lot of media coverage across the world.

It's growing a lot.

So, yeah, I'm excited to the things that are coming to rugby, you know, things like stormers now that have recently become privately owned and things like that.

I think everything's growing.

It's very exciting.

I think different competitions that are coming into play, you know, it's really growing sport.

I mean, if you look at things like it's rugby compared to football, still extremely small.

But I think even if it can grow to just a slightly bigger share of how football is perceived around the world, you know, it's really exciting for players to play at different competitions and sort of give more opportunities for players to play at different places.

So, yeah, I'm just excited how the sport's growing and sort of the opportunities that are coming along with it.

Great.

And any other guys watching, obviously, the episode, I mean, where can guys find you on social media?

Yeah, so mainly on Instagram.

You can find me at Luke the burger is my Instagram handle.

I am also on Twitter and things like that.

But you are mainly on Instagram.

Luke, appreciate taking the time today and, yeah, thank you for chatting with us.

Thanks, Ronaldo.

It was great having a chat with you.

I hope you enjoy the rest of there as well.