Since he was 6 years old, senior Andri Kruger has been playing what he considers one of the most popular, most rigorous sports in the world. Rugby is a popular sport in Kruger’s native country of South Africa, much like football in America. Kruger describes rugby as a hybrid of soccer and football.

“Rugby is like soccer and football in the sense it has the quickness of soccer but keeps the same physical elements of football,” Kruger said.

Kruger started playing rugby when he lived in South Africa and continued playing when he moved to France. He’s been playing rugby in the U.S. for the past two years. Kruger says that playing rugby helps him remember his home town in South Africa.

“Rugby reminds me of back home because it is something that I can hold on to,” Kruger said. “The game stays the same no matter where you are in the world. I guess the memories just come back when I start playing, like my first high school game, or the time I broke my tooth, or the time I scored seven tries in a game. The memories are comforting like home.”

Kruger’s rugby season takes place in late February and goes until early May. Kruger currently plays competitively for Parkway United Rugby Club. This year, their first game is Feb. 25 in New Orleans. Last year, Kruger and Parkway United squad came in fourth at State.

“This year, hopefully we will win it,” Kruger said.

In rugby, the positions are divided into two main groups: the forwards and backs. Kruger currently plays as the eighth man for Parkway United. This means that Kruger is forward. Forwards are typically bigger and stronger players compared to the backs who are the smaller and faster players.

“As the eighth man, I am a loose forward,” Kruger said. ”A loose forward’s job is to either win the ball back, secure the ball or to make tackles, depending on what’s going on at a specific time.

“Kruger says that he has to be in shape because rugby is a fast paced and physical sport. A match is 80 minutes with two 40 minute halves. Other than a 10 minute halftime, there are no breaks for the players, which means Kruger plays the entire game with little rest.

“Rugby does keep you in shape,” senior Jackie Leimkuehler said, “but it’s not because of the length of the match. It’s because of the intensity. Soccer matches are 90 minutes, but I’m in better shape now that I’m playing rugby.”

According to Kruger, rugby isn’t a hard sport to pick up. Almost anyone can play as long as they’re determined and physically active.

“There aren’t that many rules to the game, once you play a couple games and have been practicing for a couple of weeks you pick it up pretty quick,” sophomore Mac Sievert said.

Kruger is continuing his rugby career next year at Lindenwood University. Someday, Kruger hopes his determination and hard work takes him to the professional level.

“Someday,” Kruger said, “if my road takes me there, I would love to play professionally.”