Jacobus le Roux, Mpumalanga’s number 1 cue sport player, is set on the World Champs in China

SECUNDA – Jacobus le Roux (39), Mpumalanga’s number one cue sport player, has been chosen to represent South Africa at the 9 Ball World Cup of Pool in Shanghai, China, from 15 to 20 May.

He will pair with a player from Pretoria to be the only South Africans to compete against teams from 30 other countries. He has been playing in this discipline for about three years and won the Mpumalanga 9 Ball title for the second time in February.

Le Roux earned the crown of supreme champion in Mpumalanga by winning five of the six cue sport titles in Mpumalanga.

This father of two is no stranger to international tournaments. He represented South Africa from 2012 to 2014 at the English Eight Ball Championships.

He came sixth overall in 2012 and in 2014 Le Roux and his six teammates played in the semi-finals.

Le Roux entered the local pool league with his father, Mr Johan le Roux. The town’s pool club was then called Pool City and was situated in the Pick n Pay mall where The Square apartments are now.

“In those years I could easily play 10 hours a day, but I now have a family and work.”

Le Roux is an instrument mechanic. He is married to Carien and they have two kids, Dustin (11) and Kay-lee (9).

He practises whenever he has a chance. Fortunately the Le Roux family has a pool table at home where Jacobus can transfer his knowledge and skill to his children.

He is very fond of snooker because of its difficulty level. He believes if you can play snooker, you are able to play other cue sports, but if you are a pool player, you are not necessarily good at snooker.

Le Roux is a member of the Pandas Cue Sport Club at Lake Umuzi. He enjoys honing his skills with other strong players in Mpumalanga.

He is excited about the upcoming world championship, but also needs sponsors as most of his expenses will come out of his own pocket. Anyone who wants to contribute to this cause, can contact him at 082 878 6204.