Damian flies country’s flag high in Prague

Damian Glaus’ matchless rugby skills have landed him in Prague, in the Czech Republic.

The 25-year-old tighthead prop received an offer of a two-year contract in Prague and recently started his contract there for the second season. He is playing for a semi-professional team called Tatra Smíchov, playing in the Czech Extraliga.

In February 2023, he signed a one-season contract and was later offered a two-year contract, which started on February 1.

Damian would never trade anything for his sport and over the years he has continued to steadily gain momentum.
He has played at Alberton Rugby Club from U8 up to first team. In 2021, he scooped awards as club player of the year, first team forward of the year and chairman’s player of the year. In 2022, he represented the Golden Lions amateur rugby team and in November 2023 he found himself playing in Prague.

“I also help coaching the younger teams and give skills and knowledge that I have learnt from being coached by rugby greats like Springbok props Richard Bands and Lawrence Sephaka.

“In 2018, I was at the Blue Bulls Tuks Rugby Academy and played U20 Currie Cup for the Limpopo Blue Bulls,” Damian explained.

In 2019, he was captain of the Tuks Jongspan team in the Carlton Club league where they won the league.

“I was then in the Varsity Cup extended squad in 2020, where I managed to get two warm up games. I then parted ways with Tuks and came back to my local club where I grew up playing rugby, wanting to earn my first team cap as I did not do so before I moved to Pretoria,” he said.

Making it big abroad

He said he is grateful to play abroad, and that the opportunity also comes with pros and cons.

“The pros being there are always teams and clubs looking for players, the cons being far from home, friends and family which is challenging at times but mentally you have to be prepared. I am blessed by the Lord for my talents and owe my accomplishments and achievements thus far to him,” Damian said.

Although he is making strides, he said it is not smooth sailing, especially with setbacks setting in.

“The road is hard with injury and setbacks. I had a knee operation last year and spent a few months struggling with rehabilitation, but I pushed through and dug deep. There are also a lot of sacrifices that one has to make that people don’t often see,” he said.

His ultimate goal is to play at international level, “This is a lot of young boys in South Africa’s dream, and I have a lot of love and support from the local community, my family and friends.”

“I know some people look up to me as I do to some of the bigger professional players, and that drives me to keep going in the tough times. I give my all every game and play as if it is my last game. One never knows how their story plays out; I will carry on pushing for as long as my body can,” he said.

Damian is keen on trying his hand at coaching, and is already building his résumé towards becoming a coach.
He has completed his world rugby level one coaching and is ready to complete his world level two course shortly.