Jurie Matthee is not losing sleep over comparisons with his teammate and Springbok star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
The Stormers flyhalf is currently the URC’s top points-scorer with 52 points and has shown massive growth in the first five matches of the new campaign after a few years in the shadows. He insists he’s focused purely on sharpening his own game and trusting the process that brought him this far.
“I have my own strengths,” Matthee told Netwerk24.
“A playmaker needs to have many skills to bring out the best in the talent within your team. So there’s no time to compare ourselves with one another – it’s about improving your own individual abilities instead.”
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While Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s rise has been rapid and headline-grabbing, Matthee’s own ascent has been quieter but no less determined. The former Maties captain has impressed with his maturity, game control and willingness to take on responsibility in high-pressure moments – qualities he says he embraces rather than avoids.
“Pressure is something that’s always pushed me to the next level,” he said. “I’m someone who’s always enjoyed feeling that emotion, the tension, the stress. It sharpens my focus. It’s not something to be arrogant about, but it’s something I enjoy. There will be times you end up on the wrong side of pressure, and other times on the right side.”
That mindset, along with his ability to stay composed and creative, has made Matthee an increasingly important figure in the Stormers’ evolving backline. Whether it’s attacking with daring cross-kicks or launching counters from deep, he believes bravery is part of a flyhalf’s DNA.
“You have to challenge yourself to be brave in the decisions you make,” he explained. “We all bring different strengths to the team.”
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At the heart of it all, Matthee’s mission is simple: to give everything and leave no regrets behind.
“I want to see how far I can take my rugby career by working hard, taking my chances and living fully in the moment,” he said. “As a person, I want to approach everything I do with enthusiasm and character.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Matthee not trying to keep up with Sacha appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Stormers flyhalf Jurie Matthee is not losing sleep over comparisons with his teammate and Springbok star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
The post Matthee not trying to keep up with Sacha appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
