by Eugéne “Zibi” Rosant
Confidence Rule 64: Hold the door open for those coming up behind you
In the small fishing village of Doornbaai, John Arendse grew up with three siblings, all raised by their determined single mother. Despite challenging conditions and a job in the local fish factory, she worked tirelessly to ensure her children could complete high school and access opportunities she never had. Her perseverance, paired with John’s dedication, paved the way for his remarkable journey.
After high school, John joined the South African Police Service (SAPS), where his natural athleticism and strength led him to a role as an instructor at the Police Academy. It was during this time that he joined the Tigers Rugby Club, competing in the Tygerberg Rugby Union. His skill and drive on the field quickly caught attention, and he was soon selected for the Tygerberg Union team to compete in the SA Cup under the South African Rugby Union (SARU).
In the early 1990s, John burst onto the provincial rugby scene, and in his first year, he was selected for the SARU team—a huge achievement in a competitive league. During this period, he played against me, his old Young Spurs teammate, who had been selected for the Western Province Countryside in the same SA Cup competition. Our paths crossed again.
According to Stanley Raubenheimer, another SARU legend, John Arendse’s talents would have surely carried him to the international rugby stage if the opportunity had been available at the time.
Today, John is retired and lives back in Doornbaai, where he has given back to the club that was integral to his early career. He even coached the Young Spurs for several seasons, sharing his knowledge and love for the game with the next generation. Now, John’s youngest son proudly continues the family legacy as part of the Young Spurs Top 12 squad for 2024—a testament to the enduring rugby spirit of the Arendse family.
Young Spurs salutes you, John Arendse—an inspiration, a legend, and a true pillar of rugby!