GA Davies: Jonty Rhodes - My School Sport (3 Jun 1998)

3 June 1998

My School Sport: Jonty Rhodes

Gareth A Davies, Interviewer

Jonty Rhodes, regarded as one of the finest fielders in world cricket, is in line to play for S Africa in the first Test against England tomorrow.

I finished my high school at Maritzburg College in Pietermaritzburg, matriculating in 1987.

I think because it was a place where I could go and play sport, I did. Rugby union was very big there, but I wasn't allowed to play, because I had mild epilepsy as a child. So I played hockey.

It was the Latin Pro Aris Et Focis which means 'For Hearth And Home'.

For the first two years of school, I played tennis and athletics, and soccer for a local club. From the age of seven onwards I was playing first-team hockey, so the tennis fell by the wayside, and from the age of eight it was just hockey and cricket, six months each a year.

Yes. I played for Natal Senior Schools as a 14-year-old playing in the 18-year-old age group, and the following year I made South African Schools. In my last year I captained the side. I also played two years of South African Schools cricket with Hansie Cronje. He was captain and I was vice-captain.

Not really. Both my parents were teachers, so they were fairly strict and made sure I did enough work to get by. I got a degree in the end, although it did take me five years.

Firstly, you've got to enjoy it. That's been a key to my limited success, because I really enjoy what I'm doing. You've got to be prepared to do all the hard work, but you've also got to love what you are doing. Enjoyment will see you through the hard times.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)