ACHIEVEMENTS & MILESTONES
Discover the remarkable achievements of our featured athletes. From record-breaking performances to prestigious awards, each milestone tells a story of dedication and perseverance.
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SA U/20 Rugby
2023
POSITION:
No. 8 / Flank
CLUB TEAM:
Sharks
HOMETOWN:
Durban
DOB:
May 5, 2003
CATEGORY:
Young Guns
SPORTING CODE:
Rugby
Jannes Potgieter's ascent in South African rugby reads like a textbook tale of KZN grit and rapid maturation, transforming a lanky Hilton College schoolboy into a battle-hardened Sharks back-row enforcer by the tender age of 22. Born on 5 May 2003, the 1.93m, 112kg powerhouse—capable of locking the scrum or terrorizing flanks—first laced up his boots in the rolling hills of Hilton College, where he captained the 1st XV through a disrupted 2020-21 season marred by Covid suspensions. His physicality and leadership shone early, earning a nod to the SA U16 High Performance Squad in 2019 alongside future stars like Nick Hatton, foreshadowing a fast track to the top.
Matriculating in 2021 from Lucas House, Potgieter bypassed the usual U19 rigors, plunging straight into the Junior Springboks setup for the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.
By 2024, Potgieter was Sharks U21 captain, rallying his charges in domestic skirmishes before exploding onto the senior scene in the Currie Cup. Debuting against the Lions, he featured in six outings, crossing for two tries—including a leveller in a thriller draw with the Pumas and another in a gritty Griquas win—announcing himself as a finisher with 10 points tallied. The 2025 season elevated him further: a URC debut off the bench versus the Bulls (9 minutes) in February, followed by a full Challenge Cup start against Lyon Olympique Université in April (62 minutes), and another six Currie Cup cameos to date, anchoring the pack amid Sharks' campaigns.
With 18 senior appearances, two tries, and a growing reputation for 80-minute engines and leadership—echoing Hilton mentor Neil Hatton—Potgieter embodies the Sharks' youth revolution under John Plumtree. At 22, the former Old Hiltonian is no mere junior prospect; he's knocking on senior URC doors, with Springbok dreams firmly in sight. From Hilton's hallowed turf to Kings Park's roar, Jannes Potgieter is just warming up.
Matriculating in 2021 from Lucas House, Potgieter bypassed the usual U19 rigors, plunging straight into the Junior Springboks setup for the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.
By 2024, Potgieter was Sharks U21 captain, rallying his charges in domestic skirmishes before exploding onto the senior scene in the Currie Cup. Debuting against the Lions, he featured in six outings, crossing for two tries—including a leveller in a thriller draw with the Pumas and another in a gritty Griquas win—announcing himself as a finisher with 10 points tallied. The 2025 season elevated him further: a URC debut off the bench versus the Bulls (9 minutes) in February, followed by a full Challenge Cup start against Lyon Olympique Université in April (62 minutes), and another six Currie Cup cameos to date, anchoring the pack amid Sharks' campaigns.
With 18 senior appearances, two tries, and a growing reputation for 80-minute engines and leadership—echoing Hilton mentor Neil Hatton—Potgieter embodies the Sharks' youth revolution under John Plumtree. At 22, the former Old Hiltonian is no mere junior prospect; he's knocking on senior URC doors, with Springbok dreams firmly in sight. From Hilton's hallowed turf to Kings Park's roar, Jannes Potgieter is just warming up.
