Stormers sensation Riley Norton has revealed why he chose to pursue a career in rugby, despite being international-capped at age-grade cricket.
The 20-year-old was a highly regarded cricketer in his youth and was selected to bowl for South Africa’s under-19s and 20s side. He was also the Springboks under-20s captain, and he eventually chose the rugby route.
“We had won the 2019 World Cup when I was low down in my high school journey, and that definitely played a factor in my enjoyment of rugby,” he said on the For The Love Of Rugby podcast.
“I just really loved it. Like every game day, the weeks, the tours, everything was just pointing more towards rugby. I still loved my cricket, but I didn’t have that same fire that I did for rugby.”
Eventually, the choice between the two sports was simple: “I love playing rugby. I love South Africa, and I want to pursue that.”
But how did Norton get his rugby opportunity in the first place? Well, Craven Week played a huge part in his ascension.
What is Craven Week?
“It’s just under-18 provincials,” Norton explained. “You fall into your union or your area, and you represent that. So a lot of different schools in your area will get together and play in a national competition, and it’s extremely competitive.
“I played in Western Province, and I was lucky enough to win it both times because we have some unbelievable schools there. But to almost unite with the schools around you and to face other teams and other things like that is a big deal.
“And then obviously from that, your South African under-18 teams get selected. So Craven is a big deal, and there’s even an under-16 provincial week, so it goes up the ranks, and you want to try and be a part of that and enjoy it.
“It’s a big stepping stone into your professional career because it’s a way a lot of the unions can see their talent and who they want to contract for the first year out of school.”
Norton excelled in the competition, so was a clear name to call into the age-grade national side.
“The Craven Week was not about anything to do with me winning it,” he humbly told Ben Youngs and Anthony Watson. “We had some unbelievable players. Even when I got in grade 11, I was just like, ‘Jesus!’ Seeing these backs around me, it was a really talented group, and I was lucky enough to be a part of it.
“It’s so awesome that a lot of us have progressed to getting contracted by the Stormers because we can almost now try and work our way through the ranks and be together. And those friendships that you make never fade. Like a brother that you’re going to go through life with.”
‘Unofficial’ debut vs Barbarians
After the Stellenbosch-born lock developed through the age-grades at international level, he cut his teeth at the senior level, both for the Stormers and the Springboks.
Norton appeared in the first three matches of this United Rugby Championship season and made his unofficial debut for South Africa’s national side against the Barbarians in July, scoring in a dream start.
“I’ve grown up supporting the Springboks,” he enthused. “So to get that opportunity was something that I never thought would come so soon, and when I got there, I was just trying to put my best foot forward.
“The system protects you, if I’m being honest. It’s so easy to transition into a role because the guys around you are quality players, and they almost understand how to take a youngster and just make them feel at ease. So I felt like I belonged really quickly, and it was credit to the players around me and just the entire environment.”