What started off as just a casual hobby with his friends in a bar has seen Ayabonga Jantjies topping the country’s rankings in the U23 singles eight-ball pool division.
Dedication, practice and sticking to the routine have seen the star Port Elizabeth pool player win two SA titles, the junior eight-ball trophy in 2015 and the recent U23 gold medal, which he received a month ago in Western Cape.
The 19-year-old from Sydenham will now be travelling to England in May with the SA pool team in an attempt to take the world title.
“This year’s award means a lot to me,” Jantjies said.
“I was a champion in the U18s in 2015; it took me two years to get back on top.
“I actually worked hard. I had a little bit of distractions along the way like going out with friends and not practising as much as I used to.
“In 2017 I told myself I am going to change my life in 2018 and get back to what I do best.
“I needed to put goals first and that is what happened. I started practising seven hours a day and now I am back on top.
“I am going to England in May with the SA team to play singles.
“I haven’t been to England before; my trip in 2016 was cancelled due to a lack of funds.
“I am looking forward to winning the world championship. To be the world champion is my next goal and dream.
“I won in SA twice, so my biggest dream now is going worldwide.
“In order to achieve that I need to be dedicated, practise, stick to the routine and stay positive and then I can do well.
“This is also a mental thing. Once you are confident and stay positive then positive things happen.”
Jantjies, who is a computer science student at Russell Road, started playing pool in 2014 and in the same year participated in his first SA Champions competition.
“My love for pool started when I was 14.
“When I started playing older guys like Badger Andries and Scanlin Raffie saw me playing once in a bar and they thought I had potential,” he said.
“I signed up and started playing in a stadium league competition and from there onwards I started to prosper and to get better at my craft.
“The first time I went to the nationals was in 2014 when I lost to an SA player 4-3.
“It was a close game. I did well that year and the next year I went to Cape Town and won the junior championships.
“Now two years later I am back on top again as the U23 champion.”
The former Lawson Brown pupil said there was more to playing pool than just putting balls in the hole.
He said the game was a good stress-reliever as it helped one to relax.
Not only that, but it taught one to concentrate.
“In high school I used to play cricket and soccer, but I would rate pool more because I have been succeeding more in pool than other sports.
“Not many players in sport make the national team. It’s quite tough out there. There is too much talent so I just strive for perfection every time.
“I use practice routines to prepare for a game. I put balls around the table and practise potting first and then I play a proper game and concentrate as if it were a real game.
“I also do mental strength training. I jog as well because it’s not only about playing. You need to train your mind and body as well. There is 5% of luck in a win but 95% is skill so you need to know what you are doing with a white ball.
“You need to predict where the white ball will go and you also need to plan three or four shots ahead during a game.
“So, pool is not all about sinking balls; you need to be able to control the game and manipulate your opponent .
“By doing this you also detect your opponent’s weakness.”
Jantjies aspires to be like 2018 Scottish Open Champion and 2016 European Professional Champion Jon McAllister.
“He is consistent and the way he handles himself around the game is amazing. He is very disciplined and that is what makes him good, I guess.”