Alberton’s Ruaan and Abigail participate in DStv’s Koppestamp

Ruaan and Abigail Jooste are a couple from Alberton who got their rugby knowledge tested on DStv’s latest rugby quiz, Koppestamp.

Koppestamp is a quiz program with a rugby theme and two presenters. In each episode, two teams with two contestants each compete head-to-head. The relentless pace and energetic pace intend to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, just like during a rugby test.

Ruaan and Abigail grew up in Germiston and later relocated to Alberton. The lovely couple met through friends, sharing their encounter, Ruaan said: “When I moved to Alberton, I got acquainted with my pastoral leader and we became great friends, simultaneously Abigail started working for my pastoral leader’s wife and this is how we met.”

Abigail is a piano teacher, she gives lessons to two choirs. She also visits pre-schools where she teaches music to a small music group and in the afternoons she gives individual piano lessons.

Ruaan also dabbles in the teaching profession. He is a teacher at Laerskool President Steyn and is a rugby referee.

Ruaan stated that they accidentally entered the quiz program. Abigail contested by saying, “It was no accident. When I saw there was a game show about rugby and rugby knowledge, I knew my husband needed to be on that show.

“When we find ourselves at home and there is nothing to do, Ruaan will turn on the television and watch old rugby games dating as far back as 1995 and will then be able to tell me exactly what will happen and when.”

How they got to be on Koppestamp

Abigail had trouble entering the website. Her mother came to the rescue and entered Ruaan and Abigail into the competition.

“I received an email saying we are entered in a competition. I was sceptical and confused, thinking it might be a scam,” explained Ruaan.

Four to six weeks after receiving the email, the couple received another email saying they had been entered into the first round of interviews.

The interview consisted of 10 questions the couple was required to answer as fast as they could. The couple got all 10 questions correct.

To their surprise, eight weeks later, the couple was chosen as one of the 40-something teams to go through for a physical interview.

The physical interview consisted of a mock-up of what was to come during their participation in the game show.

“After the last interview, we waited for the producers to get back to us, we expected it to be a long wait or that we might not even get through but surprisingly, that was not the case. We received feedback that we need to come through to be on the quiz programme,” explained the couple.

Their Koppestamp experience

Ruaan and Abigail appeared in season one, episode eight of Koppestamp and won their episode.

“We finished eighth out of 20 teams and were also the highest-placed mixed team,” they highlighted.

They describe their experience on the game show as exhilarating. They said it was an experience that tested their rugby knowledge and skills.

“There was a bit of disappointment when we did not make it into the final or win, however, we believe that everything happens for a reason and if it was meant to be, it would be. We are grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of something as amazing as the show.

“Sport brings us together and we are glad to be able to have this in common as a couple.”

Their passion for rugby extends to their collection of rugby jerseys.

They also wish to impart their knowledge of sports to their daughter as she has shown interest in sports like her mum and dad by proudly wearing her Springbok-themed dress.

A ‘fairytale’ Rugby World Cup final

As a rugby fanatic, Ruaan shares his thoughts and feelings on the Rugby World Cup.

“This world cup will be the most interesting one of all, especially after many of the top teams were drawn together, making pool games look like playoffs.

“France must be favourites based on their form, home-ground advantage and I believe the desire to lift the trophy. I would not bet against the Springboks to spring a major upset by knocking them out of the competition.

“I would like to see a ‘fairytale’ final with the Springboks and Kiwis turning back the clock and set up a historic clash in a remake of the 1995 showpiece.”