Kirsten happy to remain a Chief

Jannes Kirsten knew he was joining a quality team when he swapped life at the Bulls for a new start at the Exeter Chiefs last summer.

However, the imposing South African admits his new start in England has surpassed even his own expectations and that life with the Chiefs has proved a smash hit for him, on and off he field.

Just days after agreeing to extend his stay at Sandy Park for the foreseeable future, the 26-year-old forward is already looking to the future and the part he hopes to play in helping Rob Baxter’s side when they return to competitive action.

The current COVID-19 outbreak has meant sport around the world has been placed on hold, but Kirsten says when the day comes that rugby can be resumed, he and his Chiefs team-mates will be looking to hit their straps immediately on a campaign which, to date, sees them top of the Gallagher Premiership and in the last eight of the Heineken Champions Cup.

“Ever since I arrived here, I immediately felt at home,” said Kirsten. “I love Exeter as a city, it’s not too big, it’s not too small. It has everything you need. At the club, the guys have been really welcoming from day one. What I like is that we have a great culture amongst ourselves. We work hard, we play hard!”

An unknown quantity to many across the Premiership, it’s not taken long for Kirsten to make his mark in Exeter colours. A virtual ever-present in the Chiefs squad this season, it’s little wonder that Director of Rugby Baxter was keen to renew his services, having initially brought him in as injury dispensation with summer signings Tom Price and Will Witty both sidelined.

“I didn’t know too much about Exeter before I came here,” added Kirsten. “Obviously, you check up the place you are coming too beforehand. I saw they had been in the final for a number of years and were a top side here in England, but it’s not until you arrive that you really get to know about things.

“I remember speaking to Rob and the coaches not long after getting here and they asked me what I thought my strengths were. I said a few things and they agreed with me, but they also told me that maybe I should look at this and look at that in my game. From the outset, though, they just said play your game and rest will take care of itself.”

As opponents will no doubt testify, Kirsten has been causing scenes of destruction when taking to the field, providing a more-than-capable ball-carrying option for the Chiefs, as well a ferocious line of defence with his hard-hitting, on-field approach.

“I came over expecting English rugby to perhaps be a lot slower than what I was used to in Super Rugby,” said Kirsten. “I thought with the weather and whatever, it would be much different. Yes, we’ve had rain on occasions, but the way that the Chiefs play, this high-tempo, multi-phase game, I have to say it’s a lot similar in many ways.

“It’s in other areas where I think it’s different. Here, the scrum and the set-piece are used a lot more as weapons to attack. Also, the kick battle is big for us, I didn’t realise just how much of a role I had to play in this area, before I thought that was just a job for the backs!”

Whatever Kirsten is doing, it’s clearly working and when rugby does eventually return the flame-haired forward is keen to make up for lost time.

“Due the current situation, it’s tough for everyone right now,” he continued. “By the time we play again, it will have been a very long break. I guess in a way it will feel like a new season, but really we still have some big games to play. As players we have to make the most of this time by staying fit, getting over any niggles and, basically, using this time to our advantage.”