Lions loose forward Jarod Carins has set a goal of making it to the top level of rugby and one day pulling the Springbok jersey over his head.
It's a significant driving factor in his game, but performing for the Lions in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Challenge Cup remains the top priority for the budding fetcher.
Cairns made the step up from junior rugby to the URC level successfully. He has been one of the revelations for the Lions while they are grinding to a first-ever top-eight finish in the competition.
The 23-year-old competes with former Blitzbok JC Pretorius and another young player, Renzo du Plessis, for the Lions’ No. 6 jersey. He has been interchanging with Pretorius, but they both maintain the standard, especially at the breakdown, whoever gets the start on a match day.
“The competition for that jersey is lekker between JC and me,” Cairns said.
“Of course, we have Renzo there in the mix, so the competition is great, and it brings out the best in us. JC knows I am on his heels, and I know the other guys are on mine and we keep pushing each other to make the team better. You must bring your best on any Saturday to stay in the team.”
According to Cairns, one of the reasons the Lions are doing so well is that they have players who’ve broken through at international level over the last couple of years. That, he believes, is driving the other teammates to also lift their game.
🎙 "THIS GAME IS LOOSE!"
And @LionsRugbyCo were loving it.
Jarod Cairns storms through for the score of the game.@vodacom #URC | #DRAvLIO pic.twitter.com/BkHHLHgz70
Du Plessis was the latest player to attend a Springbok alignment camp while scrumhalf Nico Steyn will join the virtual camp of Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus at the end of March.
Cairns says he is keen to put in the performances for the Lions to keep pushing for top honours.
“Playing for the Springboks is something that I want to realise one day. It’s exciting when some of our guys go and get the knowledge from the Bok camp. They then come back to us and share what the coaches are looking for on that side. It helps not only them but the whole team.
“Asa (Asenathi Ntlabkanye, Lions tighthead prop) always says if we as a team do well, we will see more of us achieving our goals in the Springbok squad. Getting eight players in that group was fantastic. They all came back with a different perspective of what they took from the camp and that is great for our squad.”
Being a utility loose forward, Cairns is comfortable as an eighth man and on the side of the scrum, he’s been able to build his game on the likes of Lions legends Jaco Kriel, Kwagga Smith, Warren Whitely, and former Springboks Heinrich Brussow, Ryan Kankowski and Keegan Daniel.
Getting to play against current Boks and World Cup winners like Deon Fourie, Marco van Staden, and captain Siya Kolisi also drives him.
𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 | | Cardiff Rugby 20 – 17 Emirates Lions
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) March 21, 2025
Fought till the final whistle, so close. 💔🦁#CARvLIO #ForOurCity@Vodacom #URC | #HitsDifferent#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/ibZJQV06hK
“From a young age, I wanted to make the breakdown my area of expertise. If it’s not stealing balls after tackles, I want to be a menace and spoil the quick ball possession of our opposition, legally of course.
“I want to ensure I make an impact on the field in that area. I’ve focused a lot on that. It’s a great feeling when you make a turnover for your side, or you hear the referee’s whistle blow for a penalty when you are crouched over the ball. That is what I enjoy the most.
“Playing against other Springboks (at URC level) who’ve achieved so much is another thing that drives. Just getting to the breakdown before them to protect our ball or poach theirs. I try to be better than them when it comes to hitting the rucks and breakdowns to make as many turnovers as possible.”