COVID-19 Diaries Part 35: New life in lockdown for AJ Jacobs

SA Rugby National Panel referee AJ Jacobs has slotted into life in lockdown with ease, with home DIY tasks, personal training sessions and cooking challenges keeping him occupied when he is not analysing match clips and participating in online conferences.

On the work front Jacobs admits that while he has a burning desire to get back on the field, lockdown has been invaluable in gaining new insights into specific technical areas of the sport and in bolstering his refereeing skills in general.

“I’ve learned a lot in the last few weeks because we have had a lot of time to zoom into the technical areas of the game and to learn from one another,” said Jacobs.

“It has definitely boosted my excitement to get back onto the field. I will do a few things differently when rugby resumes, not only in terms of my decision-making, but also from an analysis point of view.”

Training has also been a pleasure for Jacobs, who is a self-confessed fitness fantastic, and it is no surprise since his wife, Anja, is a personal trainer.

“I am lucky enough to have an open area of about 150m by 50m which has really helped in terms of training,” said Jacobs.

“It was particularly beneficial before we could go out and run in the mornings when the country was still on lockdown level 5, but since I train twice a day, it is a bonus.

I also have the luxury of a having a wife who is a personal trainer, so I am quite pleased with my fitness levels despite being in lockdown.

“Our conditioning coach has given us a programme, which I have been following, and since we basically have our own gym at home with weights, kettlebells and resistance bands, my weight training and core training are also well covered.”

The 35-year-old, who has held the whistle in one Test match, 13 Vodacom Super Rugby matches and 28 Currie Cup matches, has also been enjoying the training challenge with his colleagues, and by experienced referee Jaco Peyper’s admission, he has been tough to beat in a few departments.

“My colleagues may have more experience with the whistle, but I try to make sure I am the champion in the training department – but Jaco has given me a go with planking,” Jacobs joked.

Outside of rugby, Jacobs has tried his hand at home DIY tasks and cooking in the last few weeks – and he is happy with the results so far.

“We have painted the ceilings and fixed the roof, and on the domestic front I learned to iron clothing and I have tried to make a few healthy dishes, so it has certainly been an interesting time to see what I am capable of,” said Jacobs.

“I don’t think my wife will ask me to iron again though.

“In the kitchen we have also started our own cooking challenge where each of us has to make a healthy dish within a certain budget, and between us and our family members, we judge whose is the best.”

Jacobs’ advice in the “abnormal” lockdown circumstances was to stay positive and safe.