Wing Stravino Jacobs says he is ready to take what he learned from the senior players in the Vodacom Bulls squad to improve himself in the upcoming South African leg of the United Rugby Championship.

Jacobs , nicknamed ‘Rocket Man’, was part of the Bulls travelling squad for their four-match tour of Europe against Leinster, Connacht, Cardiff and Edinburgh and the 21-year-old believes the experience gained and support received from his teammates will help him settle into his role in the coming weeks.

“I want to grow as a player and be challenged,” Jacobs told the Bulls official website. “My focus for that tour was to learn from the experienced players in the Vodacom Bulls squad.

“The URC has been a big step up for me mentally. It’s been great to see the physicality on the field, and the intensity of our own training sessions. That was my first long tour with the Bulls. The hard work and discipline required to play professional rugby is massive. I see it with our senior players. They are all incredibly disciplined about their careers.

“If you’ve come straight out of school like I did, it’s something you need to prepare yourself for mentally. But coach Jake White backs you a lot as a player and he gives you a lot of confidence in yourself, and when you get your chance, you need to take it.”

The speedster singled out Cornal Hendricks for the role the veteran back plays in his continued development and growth in recent times.

“I look up to Cornal a lot. He’s a big inspiration for me, especially in terms of how he plays in his position. He’s got a fun side to him, but he takes his rugby very seriously, so I do my best to stay in his good books.

“But Cornal has spent a lot of time sitting with me and advising me. He’s a big one for not complaining and just getting on with the job you’ve been given, and he advises me to do the same. I really feel like he wants the best for me and wants to bring out the best in me. So, whatever he tells me to do, I’ll do it for him.”