Springs Local Plays for Scotland

Bradley Harper is a 19-year-old rugby centre sensation with Scottish ancestry who grew up in Springs attending Selcourt Primary and Springs Boys High.
He has participated in multiple sporting codes, under the mentorship of Chris Ebenkuizen who nurtured Bradley’s rugby talent.
He was selected at the age of 15 to attend a two day training camp in Scotland for the club side, the Scottish Exiles. The opportunity arose when Bradley’s grandfather emailed the Exiles coach, Rob Brierley.
After flying overseas for an interview, Bradley drafted for the U/17 side. The coach gave him an outstanding rugby match rating of 3, despite the adverse freezing conditions and Bradley given little time to acclimatise.
He was a talented footballer but in grade eight and nine developed the love for rugby.
He also won the sportsman of the year floating trophy during his high school career.
In matric Bradley was selected for the Sharks training Academy, however, an unfortunate shin splints injury kept him out of action from February to June.
In July, a rugby teammate of his, Niall Spencer texted him on Facebook, urging Bradley to send a try out-match video of himself to get drafted for the U/20 squad.
During his time overseas and another viewing of Bradleys match playing video by coach Brierley, he had the opportunity to play for Scottish club side, the Glasgow Hawks, making its senior side.
So far he has played for the Exiles twice, and Hawks once, at one time playing nine games from September to January but returned home to South Africa after the death of his uncle
Since then, he has been back in South Africa, nursing his shin injury and is in contractual talks with local South African rugby club, the Lions as well as Scottish club sides.
During the Springboks recent match against Scotland, Bradley once again showcased his talent by playing for a local Nelspruit rugby team who played against Scotland, in a warm up match for the visitors.
“Rob Brierley called me and told me that the Scotland team would be touring South Africa this month and that the coaches would like to meet me. It was a huge privilege to be brought into the squad and to train with the team. It was incredible!”
Despite, blisters and a pulled out back days before the match, Bradley overcame the odds scoring an interception try for the Nelspruit side. The match also gave Bradley a chance to meet the Scottish side and coach, Scott Johnson.
Johnson said “It is our third pro team, and we need to make sure that we look around the world and who is available to play for Scotland because I keep coming back to the fact that we need to broaden our player base.”
Bradley also stressed the importance of his studies and despite the contractual talks with local and overseas rugby clubs, would like to study further and pursue a working career in sales and marketing.
Harper added: “I am 100% Scottish and we will see what happens. I am in talks with the local rugby franchise, the Lions, but I would prefer to get a contract in Scotland because half my family is there and I love Scotland, I also have found there are more opportunities in Scotland with my studies, work and sport.”
He currently works as a sales representative for his parents rubber plastics company H &H in First Street, Springs.
“I am a social person; I love negotiating and meeting new clients”, says Bradley.
The job gives Bradley much needed experience in the working world while waiting for a response from the two club he is in contact with. He believes that Scotland is abundant with opportunities for his work and his sporting talent.
With most of his family overseas in Scotland, Bradley is hoping to go back to his “roots” and make a success of himself. He is ambitious, talented and a focused up and coming rugby sports star.
“My dad says if I ever make the local club, The Lions, he believes I can be playing for the Springboks in two years, but whether I play overseas or at home, I can be a success on and off the field.”