From jogging to training as a teenager to becoming the club's most-capped player in the Premier Soccer League, Deano van Rooyen's Stellenbosch FC ride has been something to marvel at, even for a player who's so unassuming that he never really grabs the headlines. The road travelled, however, has not been without its fair share of challenges. 'Loss' has been the overarching feature, what with the passing away of both his parents in 2021, followed by the untimely, if not tragic demise of teammate and cousin Oshwin Andries earlier this year. Yet, despite these tribulations, the 27-year-old has continued to wear his heart on his sleeve every time he has stepped onto the field. In this interview, the speedster talks to Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver about his incredible achievement, the pain of his personal losses as well as his continued omission from the Bafana Bafana squad.
Delmain Faver: Deano, thanks for your time. First of all, congratulations on becoming Stellenbosch FC's most-capped player of all-time with 115 appearances in your recent league match against Mamelodi Sundowns and now sitting on 117 matches. This surely must be a proud moment for you?
Deano van Rooyen: Yes, it is a very proud moment for me and for my family, the club and the whole Stellenbosch community to become the club's most-capped player.
DF: "Warrior, fighter and someone who plays with his heart on his sleeve". These are some of the words used by coach Steve Barker to describe you. How does it make you feel hearing such positive feedback from the coach?
DVR: It's a great feeling because these words are like a mirror, they make me see myself as the person who I chose to become on the field and off the field.
DF: Looking back to the time you and Ashley Du Preez would jog to training as teenagers, it must feel like all your hard work has been worth it…
DVR: Yes, it does feel like all of our hard work has been worth it. There were a lot of sacrifices that were required during high school when we were younger and that wasn't easy, with the hustling between school and training. It required the most attention and dedication from us to make it happen.
DF: Speaking of Ashley, you've now faced him a couple of times since he has made the switch to Kaizer Chiefs. Playing against someone you practically grew up with must take some getting used to, hey?
DVR: I can't describe it in words, but it's something of a mixed feeling. He's my closest family member and like a big brother, but you come up against each other in a competition where you both want to win. I like the opportunity to test myself against the best in the country and on the field we are competitors because the game expects it from us, but once the (final) whistle is blown, we look forward to shaking hands and sharing a hug.
DF: You are now the last remaining member from Stellies' maiden topflight 2016/17 campaign. How has the team changed from the time you first gained promotion to the elite division?
DVR: There is always going to be change and the changes to the team in terms of the personalities and characters and human beings are always unique and different, and it helps having someone like Lee Langeveldt here, who is still with me. Obviously, nothing and no one could ever take the feeling away of us winning promotion to the PSL, especially when it happens on your home ground where you had played growing up at youth LFA (Local Football Association) football.
DF: Of course, the last two years haven't been the easiest for you, what with losing both your parents in a matter of months. How did you stay motivated despite the hardship that these losses brought?
DVR: Losing both my parents gave me only two options: either you quit or you continue to fight. I chose to fight and win because the reason I became a professional in the first place was to prove to my family and myself that God has granted me the talent to play at the highest level in my country.
DF: Another tragic loss that followed for you was that of your cousin, Oshwin Andries. This was a big loss for the entire South African football fraternity, considering his massive talent and the upward trajectory that his career was on. One can imagine how his passing affected you.
DVR: The sudden passing of Oshwin was unexpected for me, the club, the community and even the country as a whole. He was a young player with so much talent and his football intelligence and ability was years ahead of someone his age. It was difficult to accept his sudden passing away, but this is not something I want to elaborate on.
DF: Fair enough. The team has played five matches since the young defender's tragic passing, and in those games you guys are yet to taste defeat. Would you say your teammates have been pushing in every match to honour Andries' legacy?
DVR: Yes, we have all pushed on in honour of Oshwin's legacy. We want to show that in a time of feeling weakness, we are strong.
DF: On a more positive note, your 'Mr Consistency' role has been rewarded. Last year, the club announced that you had signed a new long-term contract, something that must have given you further motivation.
DVR: I signed a long-term contract with the club as I wanted to ensure that I give my service back to a club that has believed in me, and especially to the coaches for their support. They have believed in me since I entered the professional football world and granted me the best possible opportunities up until now to excel.
DF: The switch from attacking midfielder to right back appears to have been a blessing in disguise for you. Tell us about it.
DVR: I am an attacking player by nature but was versatile from a young age, meaning I could have played in several forward positions, including as a striker, central midfielder or as a winger. My adaptation from an attacking midfielder to a right back wasn't a big change for me positionally as I used to play on the right wing before, but the defensive side was a massive change as it's a totally different ball game, but I am enjoying the role.
DF: One would question how you are being overlooked for Bafana Bafana selection with performances as consistent as yours. Is this a question you ask yourself?
DVR: Football is always a game of opinion and whether I am overlooked by the national team, even when I am performing consistently week in and week out, will never discourage me. I know who I am and therefore I will always keep working hard and smart until the door is unlocked for me to join the national team.
He Started Playing Like A Man Possessed
Soccer Laduma touched base with Deano van Rooyen's teammate and captain Lee Langeveldt, who's been around and seen it all in the game, including at junior national team level. He speaks highly about the down-to-earth footballer…
On Van Rooyen's growth as a player "I can remember when we played (Orlando) Pirates in our last game in the PSL bio-bubble, the coach decided to throw him on in the last 15 minutes of the game just for a run out and he was so lost, he didn't have a clue where he was on the field. The following season, the team was considering sending him out on loan to a First Division team so he could get more game-time. Ever since they spoke about sending him on loan, he started playing like a man possessed. They converted him to a right wingback and I don't think he has missed a game in the past two seasons – that's how well he has done. The same with his growth off the field… he is a top professional off the field. He takes good care of himself. Look, for the past two years he went through a lot losing both his parents, his grandmother and Oshwin, who was his cousin. So, he lost a lot, but he grew so much because he had to take care of his three sisters and provide for them. I think his lifestyle is a large contributor to it. He lives a very clean life and he's got a very good head on his shoulders."
On Langeveldt's role as a captain
"Look, it's not easy with the new generation of players. You can speak to them, but you know it goes in the one ear and out the other. But there's a fine line because when they excel, you have to applaud them, but you can't allow them to get ahead of themselves – that's so important. Once they grow a bit of an ego, they think they know more than you. Deano and I are very hard on the players. We prefer telling them straight rather than beating around the bush, and that helps a lot. A lot of them do well in one or two games in the PSL and they think they've arrived, but as we all know, it takes about three or four seasons in the PSL for you to really be recognised."
On his teammate's future prospects
"I definitely see him in one of the top three teams in (Mamelodi) Sundowns, Pirates and (Kaizer) Chiefs and I also see a Bafana Bafana call-up. I think in the last two seasons, Deano has been arguably (among the) top two or top three best right backs in the country, it's a pity he hasn't received a call-up yet. But I'm sure the teams are watching, especially the big teams. I hope that he gets one of those moves to Jo'burg because it's what he needs at this stage of his career. At 27, if he gets a three- or four-year contract, that will be good for him. We do want him to remain a one-club man, but if you want to grow as a player, you have to make the move to Jo'burg. So, while I hope he gets his move, I'll also be very sad to see him leave. I think he does a lot for the club, his entire support system is here and I just think it will be good for him. Look at what's happening with Ashley (Du Preez) – he is growing slowly again and sometimes you need that step to grow further."
DEANO VAN ROOYEN FACT FILE
Full name: Dean David Van Rooyen
Date of birth: 24 November 1996
Place of birth: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Jersey number: 7
Position: Defender
Club: Stellenbosch FC
Previous clubs: Stellenbosch FC juniors
Honours: 2018/19 National First Division champions (with Stellenbosch FC)
