New Orleans Gold & Vince Jobo
The New Orleans Gold Rugby Club re-signed South African flanker Vincent Jobo for the 2019 Major League Rugby season. There were high expectations when the team signed Vince for the 2018 season, however during the last pre-season match, he tore his Achilles tendon and his expected contributions were missed.
Sevens months later, he has been maintaining a rigorous regimen with a personal trainer in preparation for returning healthy for 2019.
Jobo is 27 years old, 6’2″ and weighs 235 pounds and has played both flanker and eight-man. He was born in Krugersdorp, South Africa and graduated high school from King Edward VII School in Johannesburg. After graduation, he then went to the University of Johannesburg and the University of Cape Town.
Jobo played youth rugby with the Golden Lions Academy from 2006 to 2011. While there he played in the Provincial Championships for the under 19s in 2010 and the under-20s in 2012. Later in 2012, he played with Western Province.
Jobo continued playing rugby at the Amateur level for the 2013-14 seasons with University of Cape Town IKey Tigers and played int he 2014 Varsity Cup competition. He also played in 2017 with the Austin Blacks in Texas.
Jobo’s Senior rugby club career has been an extensive one. In 2013 he played in the Vodacom Cup with Western Province. In 2014-15 he played in the Currie Cup with the Free State Cheetahs and with the Super Rugby team. Later in 2015 played with Free state XV. In 2016 he joined the Falcons (now called Hino Valke) and then the Eastern Province Kings. He then moved to Texas and played with the Austin Blacks.
Returning from an Injury
Vince reflected about the ensuing months that have passed since his injury in the last MLR pre-season match with NOLA Gold. He said that “I’ve been working with my own personal trainer, doing rehab getting me right physically and mentally for the upcoming season. He’s really good. He pushes me every single session. I just hit 7 months post surgery, and me & NOLA agreed to only start playing when I’m 100% healthy. I’m almost there, but I won’t rush the process. I’ve got a lot of anger I’m gonna release when I’m back, but the hard part is staying patient & only return when I’m 100%.”
“Before my injury, I had people blowing up my bubble & having expectations of me. But when I got injured, the ‘bubble’ popped and the people all scattered. There’s only a few that still checked up on me and that’s my close circle of friends and family. At the end of the day that’s what it’s about. I want to make them proud of me because they were there when no one else was. I’m also thankful to my teammates & coaching staff cause they were always checking up on me. That’s the people I want to play for and put my body on the line for. I’m already in great shape, I feel great, I can’t wait to ball again.”
Rugby Goals
Vince has some rugby goals that motivates him. He said that “After next season I’ll be eligible to represent USA just before the World Cup and that’s what I’m working towards. It’s been a dream since I moved here that people thought was impossible.”
Vince is looking forward to his lost season with NOLA Gold. The mental and physical strength needed for his recovery will be put to good use on the pitch. Expect an excellent season from him.
