Pupil excited to tour Italy with his new team
Jason Cornelius beams with pride when he speaks about being selected for the u/16 Noordvaal Rugby Week team set to tour Italy in December.
Although Jason Cornelius was the only member of the Academy A side, Pumas Stedelik, to be chosen for the 23-man squad to tour Italy, the team also had much to celebrate when they beat the Lions 22-21 in the final of the tournament in Vereeniging.
“It was Pumas Stedelik’s first appearance in the final of this competition. The team and I were so happy, we just couldn’t believe it,” Cornelius said.
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What makes his achievement all the more impressive is the fact that the Hoërskool Nelspruit (NHS) pupil missed the first seven games of the season due to injury. When he had recovered and was starting fit, he played on the school’s u/16B team.
“I trained at the gym and practised very hard to make the school’s A team again. It was definitely worth it. I am so excited about the opportunity
to go to Italy and grow in the game,” he said.
Five NHS pupils were chosen for the Pumas Stedelik team to participate in the rugby week from June 27 to July 2 along with school boys from all over the province. Cornelius said it was a wonderful team to be a part of.
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I am so glad I got to play with such a cool group of guys. We were like brothers, we got along so well.
We also had the best coaches and managers I have ever worked with and I learnt so much more about the sport,” he added.
Cornelius said he owes most of what he knows to his father, Jaco, who played competitive rugby in his day.
“My dad taught me everything about rugby and about life. He is my role model and I couldn’t carry on without him,” he said.
Cornelius, who plays in the hooker position, added that it had always been his dream to play international rugby.
“I was born with a rugby ball in my hand. I just love the game. Obviously, I’d love to play for the Springboks in the future but if not, I will look further afield to the United States,” he said.
Mom Tania is undeniably proud of her son.
“Jaco and I watched him work so hard to get to this point. Where there is rugby, there is good,” she said.
