Van Jaarsveld disappointed to leave Bayonne
Rugby
The Namibian has not yet secured a club contract when he leaves next year.
Namibian international hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld will see his contract come to an end with Aviron Bayonnais next June.
The 35-year-old will not be retained for another season by the French club he has represented since 2018.
According to stats website ItsRugby, Van Jaarsveld has represented the light-blue jersey in 89 matches so far (58 times as the starting hooker) across European Challenge Cup, Top 14 and ProD2 seasons.
During this time he has scored 26 tries – including 12 during their 2021-’22 season in which they gained promotion from ProD2.
In an interview with Sud-Ouest, the hooker that represented Namibia at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups expressed his sadness at having to leave Bayonne.
“It’s always a bit sad to leave a club. Five years is a long time. There are a lot of good memories and this match makes another one. It’s like that. My career is not over. I still want to play for two years. I feel good, “fit”. It’s sad to have to leave this club that is in my heart, but that’s life. We adapt.”
He admitted that he was touched by the tribute paid to him by the faithful fans at Stade Jean-Dauger ahead of last Saturday’s 21-18 Top 14 win against ASM Clermont Auvergne.
“A gesture like that always touches the heart. We are only men. In a few years, people may say, “Yes, I remember Torsten.” This is the life of an athlete. There are always new players arriving. I hope I have left a good memory for the supporters.
“I have given everything for this club for five years. When I arrived, we were in Pro D2, we moved up to the Top 14... It was huge.
“Then there was the Covid, it was complicated. We went down before going back up. This club deserves to stay in the Top 14. We have shown what we are capable of.”
Van Jaarsveld was asked about his best memories at Bayonne.
“There are too many, but I think it’s the public and the supporters who have always been with us.
“In Pro D2, I remember we had a hard time, losing twice at home. At the time, the fans shouted disrespect (laughs), but in the end, everyone stayed together.
“This is something specific to the Basque Country. It really is a huge area. I would love to live here after my career.”
The 35-year-old player indicates that he has not yet found his next sporting challenge.
“No, for the moment, I have nothing. It’s a bit complicated, maybe because of the upcoming World Cup and my age. It’s tough, but we’ll see. I hope something good will happen. Everyone deserves it.”
– Adapted from MinuteSports.fr
The 35-year-old will not be retained for another season by the French club he has represented since 2018.
According to stats website ItsRugby, Van Jaarsveld has represented the light-blue jersey in 89 matches so far (58 times as the starting hooker) across European Challenge Cup, Top 14 and ProD2 seasons.
During this time he has scored 26 tries – including 12 during their 2021-’22 season in which they gained promotion from ProD2.
In an interview with Sud-Ouest, the hooker that represented Namibia at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups expressed his sadness at having to leave Bayonne.
“It’s always a bit sad to leave a club. Five years is a long time. There are a lot of good memories and this match makes another one. It’s like that. My career is not over. I still want to play for two years. I feel good, “fit”. It’s sad to have to leave this club that is in my heart, but that’s life. We adapt.”
He admitted that he was touched by the tribute paid to him by the faithful fans at Stade Jean-Dauger ahead of last Saturday’s 21-18 Top 14 win against ASM Clermont Auvergne.
“A gesture like that always touches the heart. We are only men. In a few years, people may say, “Yes, I remember Torsten.” This is the life of an athlete. There are always new players arriving. I hope I have left a good memory for the supporters.
“I have given everything for this club for five years. When I arrived, we were in Pro D2, we moved up to the Top 14... It was huge.
“Then there was the Covid, it was complicated. We went down before going back up. This club deserves to stay in the Top 14. We have shown what we are capable of.”
Van Jaarsveld was asked about his best memories at Bayonne.
“There are too many, but I think it’s the public and the supporters who have always been with us.
“In Pro D2, I remember we had a hard time, losing twice at home. At the time, the fans shouted disrespect (laughs), but in the end, everyone stayed together.
“This is something specific to the Basque Country. It really is a huge area. I would love to live here after my career.”
The 35-year-old player indicates that he has not yet found his next sporting challenge.
“No, for the moment, I have nothing. It’s a bit complicated, maybe because of the upcoming World Cup and my age. It’s tough, but we’ll see. I hope something good will happen. Everyone deserves it.”
– Adapted from MinuteSports.fr
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