Pierre Rabie celebrates 50th cap for Valke ahead of Currie Cup semi-finals
His rugby journey began in Grade 1 at the age of five, and from an early age, he knew he wanted to pursue the sport seriously.
Through dedication and determination, Valke hooker Pierre Rabie recently earned his 50th cap ahead of the 2025 Currie Cup First Division, a milestone recognising his commitment to the team and his 50 appearances in Valke colours.
Born and raised in Roodepoort, Rabie attended Hoërskool Linden and later studied at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
His rugby journey began in Grade 1 at the age of five, and from an early age, he knew he wanted to pursue the sport seriously.
During his student years, Rabie played for UJ Young Guns in the Varsity Cup and represented the Lions at U19 and U21 levels.
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He joined the Valke in 2021 and reflected fondly on his debut season, in which the team reached the semi-finals and created lasting memories.
This year, the Valke have performed well in the SA Cup and topped the Currie Cup First Division log during the group stages.
They are currently preparing for the semi-finals on July 19.
“It is a special moment to get my 50th cap because it’s your second big milestone in a rugby team. The first is your debut game, and the second is your 50th,” said Rabie.
“To me, it is proof of how hard I’ve worked to reach this point, and it’s an achievement not just for me, but for everyone close to me who has always supported me.”
Recalling a memorable match, Rabie spoke of a tough encounter against the SWD Eagles in George.
Although the Valke emerged victorious, he described it as a “bad” win because the team didn’t perform to their expectations.
However, the result became a turning point, motivating the players to push each other to grow as individuals and become a stronger, more unified team.
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Rabie’s rugby highlights include winning the Beeld Trophy in 2012 with his school, representing the Golden Lions at Academy Week in 2013, and participating in U19 Pukke Week in 2014.
With the Valke, he played in two finals in 2023: the Mzansi Cup final, which they won, and the Currie Cup First Division final, narrowly lost to Boland.
“The biggest achievement would be winning the Mzansi Cup in 2023, my first senior and professional cup win,” he said.
Describing the feeling of stepping onto the field, Rabie said it is a moment of intense focus.
He blocks everything out and concentrates on the task at hand, describing the feeling as calm and controlled as he prepares to play.
Valke head coach JP Immelman praised Rabie’s growth since joining the team.
“Pierre is a hard-working individual who gets on with the job. When he arrived, he was more of a ‘set-piece’ hooker, but his ability to move around the field and the way he’s developed his attack and defence skills have added immense value,” said Immelman.
“Beyond his playing ability, he’s a leader in how he understands the game and the way we want to play. While he was quiet at first, he’s adapted quickly and developed into a more complete hooker over the past two years.”
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Looking to the future, Rabie said he plans to continue playing rugby for as long as possible.
“I don’t want to look back one day and feel I could have played another season. Once my rugby career ends, I’ll focus on working on myself,” he said.
Valke captain Andrew Volschenk described Rabie as an exceptional teammate.
“Playing with Pierre is fantastic. We click on the field, and he does his core work exceptionally well. I call him ‘Baksteen’ because of his build,” said Volschenk.
“He’s a calm, consistent, and easy guy to talk to, on and off the field. He always goes the extra mile, and I genuinely enjoy playing alongside him.”
