Local learner off to Paris for world final in Rocket League

A local grade 9 learner from Hoërskool Waterkloof, Hendré de Kock is on his way to Paris in France where he will represent Africa in the World Final for the E-sports game Rocket League.

This 15-year-old qualified during the E-Danone nations cup which took place in October.

A few days after the nations cup, he was informed to get his passport ready as he will head to France for the world finals.

The finals is set to take place on Monday, December 6, during a football camp in the morning and the finals during the awards ceremony in the afternoon.

It will see the eight best players from regional tournaments from Europe, Africa and South America.

“I competed against a player from Reunion Island. The match consisted of four rounds of five minutes each where I won al four of the matches.

“After 20 minutes, I scored the most goals in that particular time slot.”

Rocket League is a high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem with easy-to-understand controls and fluid, physics-driven competition.

It is seen as one of the most critically acclaimed sports games of all time.

“I am currently standing at 1 450 points which places me in the grand champion 1 category and with only a few points to go, I will be in the grand champion 2 category,” he said.

It will be his first trip overseas.

“We have a whole travel itinerary planned and I simply cannot wait to see the Eiffel Tower.”

Hendré entered the competition to gain more experience, but never thought he will be crowned the champion.

“I had to read twice to make sure that it is not Paris in the Free State,” he laughs.

He plays under the gamer tag Bananacat.

“In the build-up to the world champs, I need to own my position and timing. I have been practicing on work air dribbles and the mechanical aspects of the game.”

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Director of specialised sport at Kloof, Muller van der Nest said the school could not be more proud of Hendré’s achievement.

With E-sports only starting officially in 2022 at Kloof, this achievement will help a lot in promoting the sport with the learners.

“Hendré is excited, not only to represent his country in France, but also to keep the school’s name high.

“We are wishing him all the best of luck,” Van der Nest said.

De Kock said this competition is a small step towards his dream as to finally represent South Africa on the world stage.

His hobbies include, tennis, hockey, guitar and skateboarding.

Make no mistake that this teenager already has his future planned out.

“I want to go into the medical or software engineering direction, but luckily I still have a few years to figure it out.

“I am currently busy programming my own game, but it is not that simple. Hopefully I will be able to finish the programme and release my first-ever self-made game,” he said.

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