Keegan Daniel has very quickly played his way up the rugby ranks with his tenacious passion for the game. The young Sharks captain and Springbok player has a bright future ahead of him – and it’ll be an exciting one to watch.

Where did your interest in rugby come from?

I think just growing up and playing team sports. You had to play two team sports and rugby seemed like a best option. So I started playing when I was about six or so and it just developed from there.

Which rugby team did you support as a little boy?

(laughs) Well growing up I was a big Corne Krige fan. So I have to admit that I was a big Stormers supporter back in my youth. But that allegiance has changed over time, obviously.

Who are your biggest rugby heroes and inspirations?

Well like I said, I looked up to Corne Krige – the way he played and his attitude towards the game. I think inspiration for me these days comes from my teammates and the people that I surround myself with – both in rugby and not. Also being involved with the LIV organisation, seeing kids everyday that come from a far less privileged background than we do.

How has becoming Sharks captain changed you?

I’ve had to mature quite a bit as a player and as a leader. There have been difficult times. When your team’s not performing, in the end you have to answer all the questions. But it’s been quite a journey and I’ve really enjoyed having the extra responsibility. It’s been a learning experience over the last year and a bit and I can only grow the more I do it.

How hectic is your training programme?

Training is pretty hectic pre-season when we do the bulk of preparation for the season and conditioning. The rugby calendar is all-year round now, so there isn’t much time for extra conditioning within the season. So with it being a long year, the weekly schedule seems to taper down. You’re still pretty busy, but everything is constructed around player performance and getting you ready for the weekend.

Do you at least have time for a life outside of rugby?

Yes. You’ve got to have a balance. You can’t just be 100% focused on rugby – you’d go mad I think. The balance I’ve found is having close friends outside of the rugby circle. They keep me level-headed and I can relax in their company and just be a normal bloke.

What do you do when you’re not playing or training?

I like playing a game of golf with my mates – everything’s always competitive between the boys, which is great. But mostly I just like to catch up with mates outside of rugby that I don’t get to see very often. And as sport is so physically demanding, to spend some time just relaxing and recovering is awesome.

Do you have a special woman in your life?

I’ve always had a special woman in my life – and that’s my mom. But I’m single and have been for a while, so there isn’t anyone special besides my mom at the moment.

What do you look for in a woman?

It’s quite difficult with my job and the demands. I need someone that’s really understanding of what I do and can handle the pressure that I have to handle as well – someone who’s self-confident and can be on their own. You can have chemistry and passion with a lot of people in the world – but to find someone who really understands you and loves you is the trick.

Images via Facebook/KeeganRhysDaniel