In the latest installment of our article series focusing on one-cap Springboks who are still active in the game, we spotlight a forward making his move to the Sharks. Many players have ended their careers with just a single cap for the Springboks, yet there are still a few in the ranks actively playing, holding onto the dream of expanding their international playtime. WHO ARE THE STILL ACTIVE ONE-CAP SPRINGBOKS? Jason Jenkins, a formidable lock now aged 28, astonishingly has only one Test appearance for the Springboks to his name. Since his early days being paired with RG Snyman at Loftus Versfeld in 2016, Jenkins was marked for success. However, his journey has been punctuated by injuries that have intermittently stalled his progress. Despite these setbacks, Jenkins has remained a sought-after player, with stints in Japan under Jake White, followed by moves to Munster with Johann van Graan, and then Leinster under Leo Cullen. The next chapter in Jenkins’ career sees him joining the Sharks in Durban, aiming to rejuvenate his prospects with the Springboks. His solitary appearance for the Springboks came against Wales in 2018. Although much time has elapsed since then, there’s a strong belief that Jenkins can make a significant return to the national scene. ACCOLADES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS Van Graan, who has coached Jenkins both at the junior level and at Munster, has frequently lauded Jenkins’ immense talent. “My first coaching experience with him was at the SA under-20s alongside RG Snyman as the locks. From the start, it was evident that Jenkins was an exceptional talent, always eager to learn and improve,” Van Graan shared. “Jenkins possesses a rare physical prowess. In search of a player with ball-carrying capabilities akin to CJ Stander, Jason was the obvious choice due to his versatility in the lock and flanker positions. His tenure at Munster, however, was marred by an unfortunate injury ahead of a crucial match, sidelining him for a significant period. “Upon his return, Jenkins made a remarkable impact, especially noted during the Toulouse quarterfinal in the European Champions Cup,” Van Graan added. “He’s a versatile player capable of playing in multiple positions, distinguished by his ball-carrying skills, soft hands during contact, and defensive strengths. Notably, Jenkins also excels in mauls, both in offense and defense, contributing significantly to Leinster’s success in this area. His ability to poach, despite his height, further highlights his comprehensive skill set. “Jenkins has always been of test-match quality, and it’s encouraging to see him overcoming his injury challenges,” concluded Van Graan.
