Kirsten aiming to end on a high note
By Mark Stevens
2/2/23
Jannes Kirsten intends to see out his Exeter Chiefs career by doing ‘all he can’ to bring further silverware to Sandy Park this season.
The South African announced last month that this will be his last season in Devon before he heads back to Pretoria and a second stint with his former club, the Vodacom Bulls.
Since arriving in July 2019, the 29-year-old has established himself as a key figure in Rob Baxter’s squad, helping the club to a Gallagher Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup crown in 2020.
With 76 first-team appearances currently to his name, the imposing forward aims to add to that tally by helping the Chiefs into the latter stages of the Premiership, Champions Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup.
“It’s not easy to leave because I am still loving it over here,” he said. “It’s with a heavy heart that I go, but sometimes you have to think about yourself and your family and I do miss home.
“When I first arrived, I never expected this fantastic, little city to be so close to my heart - I’m very fond of the place and the people and I know I will come back one day to see the friends I’ve made.
“Right now, I don’t want to talk too much about leaving. We’re in a good spot in the Premiership and the Champions Cup and we’ve got a job to do. For us, it’s a good opportunity to bring back silverware. Of course it will be a big challenge, but results like beating Gloucester will certainly help us.
“Getting back into that top four, especially with not many games left in the season, it’s where you want to be.”
Kirsten is one of a number of frontline stars who have confirmed this will be their last season pulling on the famous Chiefs jersey. However, he talks glowingly about the future and the crop of young talent coming through at the club.
“As I am leaving, it’s good to see some of the young talent coming through,” he added. “There is so much of it around and it’s good to see how they are developing. The future is certainly bright!”
Indeed, the likes of Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Richard Capstick, Sam Maunder and Josh Hodge are the future lifeblood of the Chiefs and Kirsten feels supporters can brace themselves for an exciting future.
“I get to see these guys every day in training and in games,” said Kirsten. “There is some unbelievable talent here at the Chiefs, so I don’t have any worries about the club moving forward. These boys are very talented, young rugby players and they can certainly help take the club to that next level.”
For now, though, the focus will be on the end of the season and Kirsten along with his fellow Chiefs are determined to ensure they make the most of every opportunity afforded to them.
“The Premiership only has seven games left, so it’s make or break time,” he said. “It’s that time now when you have to get as many points as possible to get into that top four. The win [against Gloucester] has got us back there, but we have to keep working hard. Right now, it’s all in our hands, so hopefully we can keep it that way.”