South Africa’s 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup contains some of the roughest, toughest, and greatest sportsmen in the world. But don’t think that these guys are so focused on their physique and their sport that education isn’t important to them! Some of them are actually highly learned men.

So if you ever wanted to know what kind of education some of the Springbok players have – then look no further:

Bryan Habana Information Technology

Bryan Habana is not only South Africa’s top-scoring rugby player, but he also boasts with a BSc Degree in IT that he finished in 2003 at Wits University (then known as the Rand Afrikaans University).

Bryan Habana

Schalk Brits – Accounting

The quick and explosive hooker, Schalk Brits, studied accountancy at Stellenbosch University. While playing club rugby in the UK, he went on to study his CIMA accounting diploma.

I would really like to work in the financial sector after rugby, and luckily with this club [Saracens] they give you the opportunity to do that.” — Schalk Brits

Jannie du Plessis – Medicine

Jannie du Plessis is actually Dr Jannie du Plessis. After having studied medicine at the University of the Free State, du Plessis became a qualified doctor and is now one of the few professional players to also have an ongoing career outside of rugby.

 

Jannie Du Plessis

Bismarck du Plessis – Economics

One of the best hookers in SA rugby, and younger brother of Dr Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis studied his BCom Degree at the University of the Free State.

“We’ve got a very strict mother, Jo-Helene, who told us, before anything we’d have to study for a degree and that not to make use of it would be an absolute waste of time.” — Bismarck du Plessis

Zane Kirchner – Marketing

The young Springbok fullback, Zane Kirchner, rounded off his tertiary education with an N5 in Marketing. Not only that, but he is also actively involved in education across South Africa through the company EduAid.

Patrick Lambie – Environmental Management

One of the youngest players in the Springbok squad, Patrick Lambie, completed a BA degree in Environmental Management in 2013 through the distance learning university Unisa.

Lwazi Mvovo – Marketing

Mvovo studied a Marketing Management Diploma at the Natal Sharks’ own academy while playing for the provincial team.

“It was hard, as I had to balance the rugby with my studies, but the Academy was really great in facilitating me in that regard – especially after I’d been drafted into The Sharks squad.” — Lwazi Mvovo

 

Tendai Mtawarira – Marketing

Mtawarira, better known as “Beast” to South Africans, completed his distance learning BCom in Marketing through the University of South Africa.

Tendai

 

Adriaan Strauss – Financial Mathematics

Adriaan Strauss might look like a natural-born hooker, but he actually studied Financial Mathematics at the University of Pretoria before starting his rugby career with the Blue Bulls.

Victor Matfield – Accounting

Victor Matfield studied accounting at the University of Pretoria before starting his rugby career at varsity level. 

“It is… great that the younger generation of rugby players are showing an interest in studying towards a degree as it is something that is not focused on within rugby” — Victor Matfield

As one of our favourite Springboks, Victor Matfield, says – education is important even for professional rugby players. So if you are aiming to be one of our next big sport stars, remember to keep studying on the side lines – via distance learning with Oxbridge Academy.