Ex-pupil from Bryanston High School to play professional rugby in England
LONEHILL - Former Bryanston High School pupil, Devlin Hope, has been selected to play professional rugby for the Coventry Rugby Club in England.
The 25-year-old from Lonehill was initially discovered on YouTube after rugby agents from England spotted a video clip of his performance on the field.
“This is a big deal for me, especially being a Bryanston High School boy, we don’t get a lot of opportunities like this one,” he added.
Straight after high school, Hope was on a plane to New Zealand to play rugby. “One of my greatest rugby memories there was sitting in the changing room, where Dan Carter engraved his name after beating Christchurch Boys High School at their home ground,” said Hope.
He currently plays as hooker for the Valke Rugby Union.
Watch this YouTube video of Devlin Hope in action on the rugby field
His debut in the Currie Cup was in 2013. “People who are not in rugby circles will not realise this, but playing in the Currie Cup is quite a big deal,” explained Hope.
“The Currie Cup is the oldest provincial tournament in the world.” He has also played in the Vodacom Cup.
“I feel blessed. I’m 25 and I’ve never worked a day in my life. All I do is play rugby,” he said. He added that the University of Johannesburg awarded him a full bursary because of rugby.
Hope advised parents to support their children if they play sport.
Also check out the video which got Devlin Hope noticed by the rugby agents in England:
“If any parent out there has a child that’s semi-decent at sports, even if he does not want to play professionally, support him,” said Hope.
“Sports will help financially. These universities have a huge budget for sport.”
He said when he makes his move to England later this year, he wants to see if he can study further.
“I believe that I am good enough to become a professional rugby player and I will stop at nothing to achieve my biggest dream and goal,” he said.
“I look forward to being challenged. I believe one of my greatest attributes as a player and as a person is my ability to adapt to new situations and create positive situations out of potentially negative ones.”
