Stormers' Scot brimming with confidence
Jones, who hails from Edinburgh, but moved to England at a young age, earned his first-Test cap in Scotland's 21-16 win over Japan in Tokyo on June 25.
Jones is mostly used by the Stormers as a bench player. However, he took his chance magnificently last weekend when he got a rare start at outside centre against the Southern Kings.
The 22-year-old scored a record-equaling four tries in the Stormers' 52-24 win over the Kings, but the youngster still remained humble when he faced the media at the team's High Performance Centre in Bellville.
"I did not know there was a record – it is quite a nice achievement I suppose," Jones told reporters.
"It is not just me, I think there are quite a few other guys who have done it, but it is always nice to get on the scoresheet."
He added: "I would say I have come back with confidence.
"Now that I consider myself an international player, it does give a guy a bit of confidence, but I am still the same person though."
There was a very real possibility that Jones could have represented either England or South Africa in the not too distant future. However, he was not going to wait around for any of them to come knocking.
"You have to take opportunities when you get them and I was not expecting to get a call-up from Scotland. But when I did get it was nice. To get an international cap is nice as well.
"It was not a difficult decision. It is quite hard to say no to international rugby and I can never just wait around and hope for a call from someone else – and obviously I am Scottish," Jones added.
The Stormers are facing the Chiefs in the quarterfinals at Newlands on Saturday, which will be a tough test for the Capetonians.
The New Zealand teams have been in devastating form in this year's competition, but Jones feels that they will be ready for whatever is thrown at them.
"All the New Zealand teams have great players and there is a lot of talent over there," said Jones.
"I don't think it is going to be massively different – we have always analysed other teams as well. We know what to expect, we know who we are up against…I don't think it's right to put the opposition up on a pedestal."
Meanwhile, SANZAAR has ruled Stormers back Scott van Breda ineligible for the Super Rugby play-offs.
The Cape side applied for dispensation for the utility back due to the unavailability of players like fullback Cheslin Kolbe [Springbok Sevens]and Dillyn Leyds [knee injury].
Van Breda was not part of the original squad for this year's Super Rugby campaign and played in less than four games for the franchise.
Robert du Preez, Daniel du Plessis, Jaco Taute and Jean Kleyn have all been cleared to play in the play-offs, despite playing in less than four games this season. That is because they were part of the Stormers' squad that was submitted to SANZAAR at the beginning of the season.
Van Breda will represent Western Province in their Currie Cup Qualifying tournament match against Namibia in Windhoek on Saturday.
By Warren Fortune
@FortuneWarren
@rugby365com
