Canan Moodie has reflected on a breakthrough year that included making his senior debut for the Vodacom Bulls and scoring in his first Test appearance for the Springboks.
Moodie only made his Currie Cup debut for the Bulls in January, which was quickly followed by his first Vodacom United Rugby Championship appearance.
Still just 19 years old, he was called up to the Springbok squad and made a try-scoring Test debut in the Rugby Championship, helping South Africa to a first win over the Wallabies in Australia since 2013.
In an interview with Sport24, Moodie, who has been ruled out of the November tour to the northern hemisphere due to a hamstring strain, said his injury has allowed him time to fully take in everything that has happened to him this year.
“This is the first time I’m actually sitting down and reflecting on everything that’s happened and it’s crazy. Really, really crazy,” Moodie said.
“To score on debut and make it a memorable moment for myself and my family was special. Obviously, this is just the beginning, but I’m excited about what’s going to happen.”
Moodie reflected on the emotional moment he was told by Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone and director of rugby Jake White that he had earned a call-up to the Bok squad.
“They called me to the office and told me I got called up to the Springboks. I even get goosebumps now just thinking about it.
“It was a special occasion for me. As a young boy, you always dream of that day and now it’s happened so soon and I just burst into tears.”
Photo: EPA/Dan Himbrechts/BackpagePix
