A gentle giant in the game of rugby

Weighing in at 135 kilograms, the lock of the iCollege Pumas wasn’t always on a path to superstardom, but the former Pretorian is on the cusp of reaping the benefits as the next Pumas player to wear the green and gold.

Director of rugby at the Pumas, Jimmy Stonehouse reckons that Roets will hopefully yet be another Pumas’ player with the potential of playing for the Springboks.

“He has all the qualities and work ethic that are needed to become a Springbok. He is an aggressive player. He has a bright future ahead of him,” said Stonehouse.

A half a decade ago, Roets wasn’t even on the top the game in high school. The former pupil of Hoërskool Garsfontein never played provincial rugby on school level.

His father was an excellent long-distance athlete and his mom played korfball. Le Roux’s grandfather however played for Police Rugby Club, but other than that no one in his family played rugby.

Le Roux’s high school coach, Tjaart van der Walt, praises the former player of Garsie Bere’s work ethic.

“When he puts his mind to it, there is no stopping him. He is single minded and we relied on him as a player. I always knew that he had great potential.” Van der Walt, who is nowadays director of rugby at Hoërskool Monument.

Le Roux began his professional rugby career at the Lions playing for the u/19s in the Absa competition in 2014, before going on to play for the Xerox Golden Lions (Vodacom Cup), Blue Bulls u/21, Golden Lions u/21 and Currie Cup qualifier for the Vodacom Blue Bulls.

He joined French club, Racing 92 for the duration of the 2016/17 season where he played with some of the big names in the sport with the likes of Dan Carter (All Black fly half), Joe Rokocoko (All Black wing) and Johan Goosen (Springbok fly half) .

Le Roux was recently approached by Toloun, but he declined the offer.

“I want to concentrate on my rugby at the Pumas and just to enjoy the sport that I love.”

He signed with the Pumas until the end of the 2019 season.