Rugby changed the life of Zane Kirchner - now the former Springbok ace and Dragons star is determined to give back.
The Men of Gwent added the international experience of Kirchner during the summer of 2017 when he moved to Wales after four stellar seasons at Leinster – where he won the league title in 2013/14.
Kirchner enjoyed a stunning rugby career. His time at the very top of the game saw him win over 30 South Africa Test caps, playing full back, wing, and centre at the highest level.
He previously played for the Bulls in Super Rugby and the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup. During his five years with the Blue Bulls, Kirchner made 64 Currie Cup appearances, scoring 64 points. He made debut for the Bulls in 2008, making 81 appearances and scoring 105 points.
Kirchner’s impressive trophy cabinet includes winning the Currie Cup in 2009 with the Blue Bulls as well as the Super Rugby title in 2009 and 2010 with the Bulls.
But a glittering career started in the humblest of settings. Born on the Western Cape, Kirchner admits he escaped the poverty and violence that has imprisoned thousands in the town of Blanco where he grew up.
“I come from nothing. I come from the ghetto,” said Kirchner, in an insightful interview with former club Leinster in 2022.
“When you come from very little, you try to hold onto whatever it is you have as best you can.
“Sport was my way of getting out. It granted me a way of exploring life and making me a better man.
“I always had the feeling that I wanted to be different. But, there was no role model for me, so I had to do it by myself.
“At 16, training was my out. When others took booze and drugs, I went training. Even if I went out, I had to be running on the road by five or six the next morning.
“What I saw granted me more energy and drove me to overcome the life I was born into. My difference came through rugby.
“What rugby has done for me is something for which I will be forever grateful.”
At 17-years-old Kirchner was invited to play rugby for the Griquas on the Northern Cape. It was the first time he had left his parents’ home.
His resolve to pursue a better life saw him play five years of senior rugby at Griquas, for six years at the Blue Bulls and, ultimately, secure 31 Springbok caps.
Kirchner later moved to Europe and Leinster in 2013 in need of ‘something new, a new environment, a new challenge, a new stimulus’.
He proved to be a huge hit in Dublin, playing 87 games and even grabbing a try brace in the PRO12 final of 2014. A move to Dragons followed, plus a stint with Bristol Bears.
Now, his main goal in life is to take what he has learned from what he has seen and apply it back home in Blanco, with his wife and daughter.
Kirchner worked to set up ‘The Bookz and Bootz Foundation’, using rugby to instil the discipline and life fundamentals to work towards a better life.
“I’ve always had a dream to get back to and give back to the place I come from. I realised the best way to do this was by setting up a foundation,” stated Kirchner, who has also been assistant coach to the SWD Eagles playing in the Currie Cup Premier First Division.
“I want to take my platform and use it to impact the communities around where I am, from a sports development perspective.
“I want them to understand the mental toughness you need to be an athlete and use that resilience in your daily life.”
