Try, Try, and Triumph:The Remarkable Journey of a Rugby Prodigy - Anja le roux

The Remarkable Rugby Journey of Anja le Roux

Anja running onto the field in her first official rugby match for Western Province u18 back in 2022 during the SA National Girls Week hosted in Welkom.

Anja's rugby journey has been a personal one filled with ups and downs. Despite her early desire to play rugby, opportunities were scarce, leading her to explore other sports like netball, athletics, and hockey. It wasn't until April 2022 when Up and Under began coaching at DF Malan, her high school, that she finally received formal rugby coaching.

A few weeks later she was accepted at Up and Under Ladies Rugby Academy and nominated for Western Province trails.  A turning point in her journey and a dream turned into reality, was when she was selected for the Western Province u18 15’s team in her sought-after position as the team’s first choice number 10.

Playing for the Rhinos under the guidance of coach Viaan Jonker further solidified her presence in the rugby scene.

A significant moment came during her participation in the Hermanus 7's tournament in 2023 where SARU officials noticed her potential. This further led to her selection for Western Province u/18 15’s team for 2023, where she had the honour to captain the team during their national participation.  This led to yet another significant opportunity to attend Springbok7’s camps. SARU's approach emphasised the importance of a positive attitude, good living habits, commitment and dedication.

Recognition followed Anja's performances, with nominations for the Ruggas.co.za Award and Western Province Junior Player of the year award (2023), highlighting her contributions as a player and leader. While SARU officials praised her attitude, they also noted areas for improvement, including conditioning and nutrition, emphasising the importance of balancing rugby with matric studies.

Now, as of 2024 and part of the Western Province Senior Women’s team, Anja dedicates herself to previous injury rehabilitation and regular training sessions, supplemented by a personalized program overseen by a physiotherapist. Through her journey, her family emphasises the importance of sticking to reputable channels, trusting the process, and embracing the enjoyment of rugby. They acknowledge that not all opportunities lead to immediate success and that not every player aspires to a professional career, advocating for a supportive and holistic approach to the sport.

Anja and her family will always be grateful for the opportunities that Up and Under, coach Viaan and his team created.  Their remarkable holistic development and coaching programme has turned a small girl’s dream into a goal and subsequently a living reality.