Though the former Junior Springbok doubted he would measure up against international opposition in the 2021-22 season, he has emerged as one of the stars in his own right.
“There were a few games where I was in a dark tunnel, but it’s about how you work through that towards the light at the end of it. I am thankful for pushing through and the opportunities I’ve been given,” he said.
The gangly Andrews similarly combines supreme athleticism with set-phase efficiency for the Cell C Sharks, yet the 27-year-old adds just as much impact through his striking mobility around the park.
Andrews, a product of Hoërskool Garsfontein in Pretoria, represented the Vodacom Bulls at age-group level before joining the Sharks Academy in 2014, and made his first-class debut the following year.
He was named in the Junior Springbok squad for the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship, yet was limited to just one substitute appearance in the pool stages.
Now, rubbing shoulders with Bok enforcer Eben Etzebeth at the Shark Tank has done wonders for Andrews’ confidence, and the Paarl-born pillar was tied to the hip of the Test centurion in a victory over Glasgow at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium.
“Every time I get an opportunity to put on the jersey I get an opportunity to represent where I come from, and where I am heading,” said Andrews.
“Life is not easy and there’s going to be obstacles in your way. But as long as you put your head down, set goals and keep on grinding … you can overcome them.”
A regional derby is traditionally a slugfest from start to finish, and Nortje and Andrews will be jumping for places in the pecking order when they square up at the first lineout on Sunday.
