In the world of South African rugby, few players have navigated the transition between sevens and fifteens as seamlessly as Stedman-Ghee Rivett Gans. From his humble beginnings in Vredenburg to becoming a household name in both formats of the game, the 27-year-old centre has carved out an impressive career that showcases both versatility and determination.
Early Foundations in the Western Cape
Born on 19 March 1997 in Vredenburg, Gans’ rugby journey began in the coastal town before taking a pivotal turn when his family moved to Pretoria. This geographical shift would prove crucial for his development, as he attended Hoërskool Waterkloof, where he earned provincial colours by representing the Blue Bulls at high school tournaments between 2013 and 2015.
The young Gans quickly established himself as a talent to watch. In 2013, he played for the Blue Bulls at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week held in Vanderbijlpark, before representing them at South Africa’s premier high schools competition, the Under-18 Craven Week in both 2014 and 2015. His try-scoring ability was evident early on, finding the line against both the Golden Lions and Western Province during these prestigious tournaments.
The University Years and International Recognition
The transition from school rugby to senior levels brought new challenges and opportunities. At the start of 2016, Gans made three appearances for UP Tuks in the Varsity Cup competition, before joining up with the South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship held in Manchester. Though his tournament appearance was limited to one match, this international exposure provided valuable experience for the young player.
Returning to domestic competition, Gans continued to impress at provincial level. He started six matches for the Blue Bulls U19 team in the 2016 Under-19 Provincial Championship, finishing as the team’s joint-top try scorer and helping secure a playoff berth.
The Sevens Revolution
The year 2017 marked a turning point in Gans’ career trajectory. He joined the South Africa Sevens’ Academy and represented the team at the 2016 Dubai Sevens. An injury to established player Justin Geduld opened the door for Gans to feature in the main squad, and he seized the opportunity with both hands.
What followed was a period of remarkable success in the abbreviated format. Gans became a regular fixture in the Blitzboks setup between 2017 and 2020, developing into one of the team’s most reliable performers. His leadership qualities shone through when he took over the captaincy of the national team for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments in Hamilton, Sydney, Los Angeles and Vancouver after regular leader, Siviwe Soyizwapi, was ruled out due to injury.
Career-Defining Moments
The 2020 season proved to be Gans’ breakthrough year. In 2020, he was honored as the Springbok Sevens Player of the Year, a recognition that validated his consistent performances throughout the campaign. The Blitzboks lost the final against Fiji in Sydney, beat the same side in a thrilling Los Angeles finale and placed fourth in Vancouver under his captaincy.
The Los Angeles tournament victory stands out as a career highlight. “That win in Los Angeles was by far the highlight of 2020 for me, especially as I moved to the Vodacom Bulls and 15s after that. It was a nice way to leave the sevens season with. The way we won, with that dramatic comeback, it was unbelievable stuff,” Gans reflected.
Mastering the Fifteens Format
While excelling in sevens, Gans never lost sight of his fifteens ambitions. The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the World Series created an opportunity for him to focus on the longer format with the Bulls. He also celebrated success with the Bulls, winning the Super Rugby Unlocked title in the same year as his sevens Player of the Year award.
His transition back to fifteens rugby demonstrated his adaptability and rugby intelligence. At 23, Gans is an established player in both forms of the game. He is currently the first-choice outside centre at the Bulls, having worked his way up from a player who struggled for game time to a key figure in the team’s setup.
Mental Fortitude and Personal Growth
Beyond the trophies and accolades, Gans’ journey has been one of personal development and mental resilience. He believes the road less travelled has been for the best, acknowledging that he “had to take the road less travelled to get to this point in his career”. His openness about mental health challenges in rugby has also made him a role model for younger players navigating similar pressures.
Looking Forward
Today, Stedman Gans continues to be a vital component of the Bulls’ setup in both the United Rugby Championship and Currie Cup competitions. His journey from a promising schoolboy player in Vredenburg to a decorated international represents the very best of South African rugby development. With his versatility across both sevens and fifteens, combined with proven leadership abilities, Gans has established himself as one of the most complete players in South African rugby.
As he continues to write his rugby story, Stedman Gans serves as an inspiration that talent, combined with perseverance and adaptability, can indeed take a player from the youth rugby fields to the biggest stages in world rugby.
