NEWS

Dewald Kotze – We Have Got To Take Every Day As An Opportunity To Get Better

Written by Joe Harvey  |  Photos by Dasia Smith

The Dallas Jackals will travel to Atlanta this weekend to take on Rugby ATL. It is a game that marks the beginning of the final leg of the Texas club’s season, their run-in to end this campaign seeing them meet the New York Ironworkers, NOLA Gold, and Chicago Hounds.

There is something of a contrast between the two squads, as Rugby ATL aims for playoff rugby in the Eastern Conference, and Dallas is out of postseason contention. However, after a winless inaugural campaign a year ago, a win for the Jackals and a higher points total is a sign of improved fortunes for the team.

The new head coach, Agustin Cavalieri, has clearly impacted the group, which saw significant changes from the group that took to the field the previous season.

Last time out, the club again competed in a 26-36 loss at the hands of Western Conference rivals, the Utah Warriors. However, the team recently announced the long-term retention of Sam Golla, the Major League Rugby number one overall pick in last year’s Draft, all the way through to the 2026 season. 

Another player to have had an impact is Dewald Kotze. The South Africa-born Canadian hooker is in his first full season with the side and enjoying his time as Dallas has made strides over the course of 2023.

“It just felt a lot more organized this year, with the management and coaching-wise,” Kotze said. “It felt more professional, and we were super lucky to have Mario Ledesma to help, especially for me as a front-row and my own development.

“You can definitely tell we are a young team, basically brand new with a new squad. I think throughout the season, we can see when we look off the field and on the field, we have made massive improvements.

“It is frustrating not always getting results throughout the season, but we are all trying to believe in the process and be positive. We know we are a good team, and we can win. It is just about keeping on putting in the work.”

In their seventh game of the season, the Jackals got their first-ever win. It came against the Toronto Arrows at their Choctaw Stadium home that 14-11 victory, a landmark day for the side as their journey into professional rugby continued.

The @DallasJackals get their first win in franchise history! An unbelievable effort to stop a Toronto maul at the end!

Full match highlights here: @therugbynetwork | #DALvTOR | #MLR2023 pic.twitter.com/REGvSdNIIm

— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) April 2, 2023

Kotze came off the bench in that clash, the vastly experienced Tomas Baravalle getting the start before the Canadian began to get his own starting slot. Then, a week after the win, it was Dallas’ bye week before tight matchups with Conference leaders Houston SaberCats and San Diego Legion followed.

“We all came back really positive after that,” Kotze said. “That confidence of actually winning was really good for us. We came into those first two games after the bye week against Houston and San Diego, two of the top teams, and really pushing them.

“I think in both those games, we felt like we could win. They didn’t go our way, but I do believe we are close. We can’t just get those little details this season, just the little things, the little details.

“With four games left, it is still a lot of games, we are really pushing everyone and every player for those little details and playing 80 minutes. With all these teams that are left, we have a chance to beat [them].”

While the end of the season may be around the corner, the Jackals are looking to end 2023 on a high. Having seen so much growth and development, the chance to end things on a high is not lost on Kotze and his teammates.

“We spoke after the Utah game, and we basically said that we have got to take every day as an opportunity to get better now,” Kotze said. “Even at this stage of the season, every day is a chance to work on things.

A flurry of tries from @utwarrioursrugby in the first 20, but the @DallasJackals respond with two tries of their own to end the half! Utah is up 28-14 at the half

🎥@therugbynetwork | #DALvUTAH | #MLR2023 pic.twitter.com/7CoE4pLtI9

— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) May 13, 2023

“Come Atlanta, which is a big challenge for us, we want to compete in every minute of that game. Beating them every minute. 

“The boys have done really well to stay positive this week, training is going well, so the boys are putting their heads in and sticking to our goal of winning more games.”

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘MENTAL FITNESS’? 

I think it’s important to be able to separate from your work or take time away if needed and not to be afraid to seek help when you think that you need it.

HOW DO YOU CHECK IN ON YOUR TEAMMATES?

Day to day, we can tell if guys are themselves. I do think our team does a really good job of those one-on-one personable conversations and checking up on all our guys.

The coaches are really good. When they see the guys are having a bit of an off time, they will come to them and ask if they need to speak. 

I think going to your teammate, going for a coffee, going for lunch, and just having a normal chat with them to make sure everything is okay in their personal life and how they are feeling, that goes a long way to helping athletes throughout the season. It can be tough.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STRUGGLING IN SILENCE?

If they are struggling in silence, they are probably not comfortable talking to anyone. I would probably say to them to find someone they can talk to, who they trust, who they are comfortable with. 

Sometimes you need to say what is bothering you and maybe just get it out, and that will take you a long way. That will help them speaking to someone and finding something they enjoy just to get their mind off things. I think just trying to get them to speak to someone.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

I would tell myself that mistakes will happen in games and in practice and not to beat myself up so much about it. I definitely would make a mistake, my head would drop, and I would be negative, so one thing I have definitely learned is to be more confident and to know that mistakes will happen and to think what is important next, and to keep with that motto and keep learning. 

HOW ARE YOU MENTALLY OUT OF 10?

I think I’m an eight. There is always the chance to improve, and I believe I am still sometimes hard on myself. As a professional athlete, you have to be, but I think unnecessarily at times. There is room to grow, but I do feel that I am in a good spot right now.