HOUSTON — To play rugby, one must be of a different breed and Houston SaberCats player Louritz van der Schyff, of South Africa, fits the bill.
Off the field, he’s into something just as wild. An outdoorsman? You bet he is.
"Every year when I go back, I'll spend some time -- probably two or three weeks -- in the outdoors, do some hunting, do some safaris, maybe a photo safari," van der Schyff told KHOU 11’s Jason Bristol.
In fact, van der Schyff is a partner in a safari business named TerraLou Safaris. Want to see lions, rhinos or buffalo? His guides will find them on a ranch owned by a family friend.
"We've got basically everything on our ranch -- 37 species," he said.
His company offers hunting expeditions, as well. TerraLou is a combination of van der Schyff and his friends.
Those who know van der Schyff well, like assistant coach Vic Meyer who attended the same high school, are not surprised that he organizes trips.
"The model professional," Meyer said. "The one thing you can be sure is, he organizes the best safari, that's for sure."
Why is that?
"Because he's organized," Meyer said.
The SaberCats are currently in first place in Major League Rugby’s Western Conference. The club’s next home match is June 8, which is billed as "713 Night" and the team will wear special powder blue jerseys.
Van der Schyff’s spot on the field -- he’s listed as an inside center -- requires him to be a powerful runner. He now has a fascinating side hustle, too.
"It’s just a love, you know?" he said. "(Being that I’m) From South Africa, a lot of people are unfamiliar with what's going on there. So I just helped them, when they go over there, to have the best experience. Like, I experience in my own country. That will always be a side job of mine."