The sometimes brutal and uncompromising game of rugby is not the sort of sport with which you would normally associate a man like Andre Vos. He has a calm, warm and friendly demeanor. But when he pulls on that green and gold jersey, a new fierce, determined but scrupulously fair character takes over.

Andre comes from a rugby-playing heritage. His uncle, the late Johnny Vos, played 104 matches for Border between 1962 and 1974. He captained Border for many years and stories of his exploits still continue to this day. "I never saw my uncle play since I was born the year after he retired from rugby. But I was inspired by the many stories and anecdotes of his playing days," recounts Andre.

Andre looks back on his early formative years and has high praise for his parents, Cheryl and Frank. "They are the two people that I admire most and they certainly had the biggest influence on me as a person and as a player. They were always there to drive me to whichever match or sporting event was next on the agenda."

His proud parents remember him as a model child who just wanted to make everybody happy. From an early age, he was involved in church and showed an interest in spiritual things. At heart, he is still an East London boy who heads home as often as his busy schedule will allow. "It's nice to see the old schoolmates and family. It's a very laid back place; there is not a lot happening so you do get a chance to spend some quality time with people you'd like to be around."

The Border region has produced a number of nationals sporting heroes and Andre is the latest. He grew up in East London and played rugby from an early age. By the time he turned nine, he was the regular age group captain. "Perhaps someone identified some leadership qualities in me, or perhaps it was just that I always seemed to initiate the playground match, whether it was cricket or rugby," says Andre.

He joined the long line of well-known rugby players coming out of Selbourne College where the coaching and tradition was of the highest standard. He went on to play Craven Week for the Border and under-21 for Eastern Province. Rugby followers sat up and took note when a 21-year-old Andre Vos led eastern Province against the All Blacks in 1996. Remarkably, that team came within a bootlace of beating the All Blacks.

Andre's leadership qualities became evident from an early age as he captained the Stirling Primary School under-9 A teams at every age level. He was only 21 when selected to captain the Eastern Province senior team. Seeking additional experience, he went over to Australia and played for Queensland in the 1998 Super 12.

"Playing for Queensland was a great opportunity for me to play next to Wallaby greats like John Eales, David Wilson and Tim Horan, but I simply saw it as an opportunity for exposure that I did not have in South Africa at the time," he recalls. "But it was always going to be a temporary move. I knew that my destiny lay in South Africa rugby, and that is why I came back – I wanted to become a Springbok!"
He was a Canberra touring with the Cats when he got the call from Nick Mallet to inform him that he had been appointed as captain of the Springboks. They had just been defeated by the Brumbies in the semi-final of the Super 12. "I had mixed emotions. On the one hand there was the realization that I had suddenly achieved something I had dreamed about as a schoolboy – it was the most amazing feeling in the world. Then there was the sense of the huge responsibility that goes with the task and I paused to think about that at the same time."

I asked his wife of 8 months, Caroline, what Andre is like at home. "He is a gentle, considerate man who lives out his Christian faith and walks the talk." In this professional era, there are tremendous pressures placed on players and their marriages and family life. I asked Caroline how they coped. "First of all, it is important that we have a Christian marriage and keep focused on Jesus. He provides us with the grace and strength to keep the faith."

Andre's spiritual journey began at a young age. He knew about God and was a regular attendee at Sunday school each week. However, it was only at university that he realized that being a Christian was more than just knowing God. It was a relationship between himself and Jesus. During a quiet time of soul searching while trying to discover his purpose in life, the Lord showed him His plan for his life. He quotes the verse from Romans 9:17 which says, "For the scripture says to the Pharaoh, for this very purpose I have raised you up that I should show My power in you and that My name may be declared in all the earth." Andre felt the Lord showing him that he had been given rugby talents to show God's power and declare His name. He adds, "Everyone has been given gifts and talents that the Lord wishes to use to declare His name. I encourage everyone who reads this article to start a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, who made a way for us to God. Ask the Lord to reveal His plan for your life and then I pray you will get as much fulfillment as I have in doing God's will and serving Him."

As captain of the Springbok rugby team, Andre has become one of the most recognizable figures in South Africa. The expectations are huge. The pressures immense. But in his quiet, determined way, Andre has what it takes to be a great influence for the kingdom of God. Many will look up to him as a hero and role model. In truth, God has raised him up to be a wonderful example of what a life committed to God and to His Son Jesus Christ can accomplish and the influence he can have to the thousands of rugby followers throughout the world.