Stalwart De Jongh ends decade at DHL Newlands
DHL Stormers centre Juan de Jongh will join English Premiership side London Wasps at the end of the Vodacom Super Rugby season after playing at DHL Newlands for the last decade.
The experienced midfielder, who has amassed 94 cap for the DHL Stormers since making his debut in 2010, first pulled on the blue and white hoops of DHL Western Province in 2007 when he represented DHL Western Province U19.
He rose quickly through the structures at DHL Newlands, making his Currie Cup debut for DHL Western Province in 2009 before playing a prominent role in the DHL Stormers team that went all the way to the Vodacom Super Rugby Final in 2010.
His Springbok debut came against Wales in Cardiff in 2010, which saw him score a try to mark the occasion.
He would go on to captain DHL Western Province to the Currie Cup title in 2014 and was appointed as DHL Stormers co-captain in 2016.
De Jongh said that playing for DHL Western Province and the DHL Stormers was the realisation of a childhood dream, and thanked the DHL Newlands Faithful for their continuous support over the years.
“It has been a privilege to play at DHL Newlands for the last 10 years and I would just like to thank all of our loyal fans for their passionate support.
“I will always be a Province man and will look back on my time here with no regrets,” he said.
Western Province Rugby Group CEO, Paul Zacks, said that De Jongh has left an indelible mark at DHL Newlands.
“Juan de Jongh has been a loyal servant of both DHL Western Province and the DHL Stormers and he leaves with our best wishes.
“Who can ever forget his try in the 2012 Currie Cup Final which was just one highlight in a decorated career,” he said.
President of the Western Province Rugby Football Union, Mr Thelo Wakefield, thanked De Jongh for his tireless service to the union over the last 10 years.
“Juan is a true Province man through and through who has embodied the kind of attitude we seek to nurture here.
“He was a great example both on and off the field and we wish him well for the future. He will always be welcome at DHL Newlands. We will honour his departure in the appropriate way,” said Wakefield.
