Wales’ formidable hooker, who hails from South Africa, has savoured the opportunity to relish his mother’s home-cooked meals and relish being back in his hometown. However, as the weekend approaches, Roberts is ready to put camaraderie on the back burner as he gears up to assist the Dragons in securing consecutive victories and clinch their maiden triumph on South African territory.
Roberts expressed, “I’ve been residing in the UK for six years now, and it’s a great feeling to return to Durban for a rugby expedition. This is where my rugby journey began, and my childhood aspiration was always to play for the Sharks. I was an ardent Sharks supporter from a tender age and cherished the experience of visiting King’s Park and enjoying a braai in the parking lot.”
“In my role as a hooker, my idol was Bismarck du Plessis – he was the one who taught me the intricacies of a throw-in. The Sharks boasted an imposing front row comprising of Bismarck, his sibling Jannie, and ‘The Beast’ Tendai Mtawarira.”
He added, “These men were colossal figures, and perhaps my modest stature didn’t fit the bill at the Sharks. They sought a replacement akin to Bismarck after his departure, and sadly, I didn’t fit the mold.”
Roberts, who received his education at Michaelhouse School and later at Stellenbosch University, demonstrated his prowess by representing the Sharks U18’s in the esteemed ‘Craven Week’ before progressing to the U19 squad in the Currie Cup. Although he briefly plied his trade with RGC in the Welsh Premiership, failing to secure a contract prompted him to join Rainey Old Boys in Northern Ireland.
It was during his stint in Ireland that Ulster recognised his potential, offering him a contract and thereby enabling him to utilise his Welsh lineage through his paternal grandmother from Llandysul to join the Dragons and compete for his adopted nation.
The determined hooker remarked, “I’ve always been an underdog due to my diminutive stature as a front-row forward. I simply needed a coach who could overlook my size and cognize my capabilities. That opportunity presented itself at Ulster and now, I’m fortunate to have that support at the Dragons.”
He continued, “It will be a gratifying experience to take the field at King’s Park alongside my Dragons compatriots, particularly with the Sharks poised to reintegrate most of their South African World Cup victors.”
Roberts emphasized the significance of testing themselves against premier teams at full strength and is eager to measure their own capabilities. With the Sharks enduring a five-game losing streak, they will be under immense pressure to secure a victory, especially on home soil. The Dragons are keen on aggravating their predicament even further.
Reinvigorated by their triumph over the Ospreys last weekend, the Dragons approach their South African sojourn with a renewed sense of purpose. Roberts capped off the victory with a stunning try, enhancing his prospects in the presence of the Wales head coach Warren Gatland and outclassing his rival Dewi Lake.
Following his exclusion from the World Cup squad, Roberts is focused on contributing significantly to elevate the Dragons’ profile and his individual acclaim. While a return to the national squad remains a fervent desire, it isn’t his sole ambition.
Roberts reflected, “The commencement of the Six Nations was satisfactory for me, however, the disappoint of missing out on the World Cup was a trying period. Nonetheless, it afforded me an invaluable break to recharge my batteries. Keeping my throwing technique sharp is a constant work in progress, and I derive immense pleasure from ball-carrying and exploiting my strengths.”
“Ball carrying is one of my primary attributes, as illustrated by the memorable try against the Ospreys, where I galloped 20 metres with the ball (the distance continues to grow by the week)!”
In conclusion, Roberts is poised to carve a niche for himself and the Dragons in the highly competitive rugby sphere.