Varsity Interview with MOTM Chris Schreuder
Chris Schreuder is a post-graduate student from South Africa who is completing a masters in banking and finance. Chris played two years of professional rugby at fly half between the Cape Town Stormers and the Western Province. I sat down with him after the Varsity game to get his perspective on the spectacle which saw the University of St Andrews beat the University of Edinburgh 24-13 and win the Varsity Cup away from home.
Q – On an individual level, what did your preparation for this game focus on?
A – “For me it was just knowing all the details of the plays, line out plays, set piece moves off the scrums, also just focusing on our game plan. We had a good few weeks preparing especially for Edinburgh, obviously we had two pre-season games but a lot of it was focused on the Edinburgh game and how we were going to play against them, so it was just playing those scenarios over and over in my head and preparing mentally for the game.”
Talk to me about that scrappy first half, why were Edinburgh leading 8-5 at halftime?
“There was a bit of a wind that played a major role in the game. We decided that we wanted to play against the wind in the first half, so obviously we knew it was going to be a tough, tough battle to begin with. We also made a few errors in the first half, especially my goal-line dropout that I kicked out directly sort of gave them the first five points of the game, so that was an unforced error. It was also difficult to play the territory game with the wind, we couldn’t get into their half easily with our kicks, we couldn’t get much distance. I feel like our discipline let us down a bit initially as well, I think the penalty count was like seven against us to three against them, I think that also played a role in us struggling to get into the game. Then in the second half we played with the wind and used our kicking game quite well and that is when things turned for us, especially scoring straight after halftime, that was a big positive for us.”
What was the atmosphere like in the changing room at half-time?
“We weren’t panicking or anything, I think all the boys were really confident. I wouldn’t say that we were happy at halftime but we knew that, only being three points down and having the wind at our backs in the second half, we had a good chance of winning. Dave Morris (Head Coach) was also quite calm in the changing room and he looked like he had all the confidence in us to come back in the second half. I’d say the belief was there and we knew like, listen, these guys aren’t better than us, so I sort of felt like everyone knew in their hearts and in their heads that we were going to win this game. There weren’t any doubts actually, the guys were super pumped to get back out onto the field.”
In the second half what contributed to the Saints attack roaring back into life?
“I think we got great momentum from our defence, especially in the first half where we defended our try line four or five times, and I think that confidence in our defensive structure really came through in the second half as well: they only scored one try in the second half. I think our defence was awesome, that was also a major factor in our success, especially our forwards who were very physical and dominant, they put in some big hits, so I think our forwards gave us lots of momentum on the weekend.”
I think it is fair to say you struggled from the tee in the first half, but then went 5 from 5 in the second half. How do you deal with pressure in big games?
“I just stick to my process. I’m not thinking about whether the kick is going to go over or not, I focus on getting a good strike on the ball, not rushing anything, taking my time and remaining calm. If you go through your processes that you have been training and the routines you follow the pressure and the nerves subside. There was a bit of nerves in that first half, but once we felt the pressure and the heat was on, I feel like I settled nicely into the game and felt more comfortable. I just had to get that first good strike, get that first kick over and then I found my rhythm.”
What was the difference maker between St Andrews and Edinburgh Uni that enabled us to take home the trophy?
“I think definitely our defence. Our defence was a massive focus for us, especially in pre-season, we had Northampton Saints defence coach Jim Henry work with us for two days and that really set the standard for the team in terms of defence going into the season. We saw how strong our defence was in our two pre-season games, we had a very strong outing against Northumbria which is a good team, keeping them to seven points, so we knew our defence was going to be a strong point for us in game. You saw this on Saturday from all the forwards and especially some of our backs: Dave McRae and Angus Mather made some very good hits in the midfield. I think that gave the boys a lot of confidence and pumped us up.”
What were your emotions like when the final whistle went?
“It was just an awesome feeling. Especially having a good support out there, celebrating with them on the pitch and looking forward to the post match celebrations with the lads, looking forward to that was one of my first throughs. I was also super proud to be representing the University of St Andrews. I loved playing for something bigger than myself, playing for a badge and representing a lot of people, something I haven’t done since schoolboy rugby, but since after school this was one of the first times I’ve experience that real pride and that desire to do it for those supporters next to the field.”
You were awarded the man of the match, how does this amazing achievement and winning your Varsity Game compare to some of the other memorable moments of your rugby career?
“I think this is right up there, probably in the top two of my most proud moments. Just the awesome feeling of winning and that feeling that you made your teammates proud and they counted on you and you didn’t disappoint. Obviously I would say I had a disappointing first half, so just to know that I managed to turn around my game and live up to the expectations put on me, that was awesome. Seeing the smiles on the guys faces made me very proud and grateful to be part of this team. Luckily on the day I got the man of the match, but it could have gone to any one of my teammates.”
Chris has quickly become a part of the St Andrews community, already having his own chant courtesy of the Saints traveling fans. The imaginative ‘We’ve got a Springbok’ chant rung out whenever Chris did anything good. Suffice to say it was sung very frequently. Saints rugby actually has two more Springboks who made key contributions to this Varsity game win. Starting winger James Murray and replacement centre Andrew Daly. Both players have become important components in the Saints backline on both sides of the ball and displayed their skill on Saturday. However, it was Chris’ performance that stood out from the many other impressive performances. Even amongst all the noise from the cracking atmosphere at the Hive stadium you could hear the distinct South African voice barking commands to his teammates. This constant stream of chat is so helpful during important games like these with raucous atmospheres where it is so easy to zone out and get inside your own head. Captain Ferg Cato was also hugely important in this: constantly providing himself as an option to batter the 1st XV defence, and during stoppages he would move through the team making sure everyone was focused on the game.
As Chris mentioned the first half was not his best rugby, but within minutes of the second half beginning you got the sense that he was in his element. The defence became increasingly disruptive and forwards began to get past the gain-line with more frequency, which meant that Chris had front foot ball with which to introduce the electric Saints backline into the game. The chemistry he has formed so quickly with postgraduate scum half Campbell Swanson is impressive – they both read the game at such a rapid rate and already understand how the other is looking to play. The prospect of watching this pair continue to develop their connection is immensely exciting.
In one of the first conversations I had with Chris he told me he was coming to St Andrews to enjoy his rugby, to bring the fun back to something that had begun to feel like a job. It was clear to see that Chris was elated after the game, receiving the hearty applause and ‘we’ve got a Springbok‘ chants from the fans with a broad smile on his face. Watching him play in the second half you got the sense that Chris was relishing in the occasion, playing with clinical execution and the flair of someone immensely enjoying the game. Throughout the game he put smiles on the supporters faces, but he didn’t stop doing this after the final whistle had gone. His South African budgie smugglers, unveiled by his teammate Andrew Daly, sent a fresh wave of cheers through the Saints supporters. On the pitch, Chris takes care of business, but off the pitch, as shown by the budgie smugglers, he has a hilarious sense of humour. Chris has formed a tight bond with his teammates, who gave the loudest cheer when it was announced that Chris was the Man of the Match. Chris is a very humble bloke for someone so talented. He is also very easy to chat to which has resulted into him slotting seamlessly into a squad that is fast becoming more like a family.
