Van Rensburg claims top spot among elite duellists
The veteran duellist, who has been competing in Yu-Gi-Oh! for around 15 years, said maintaining focus throughout a tournament is crucial.
After two gruelling days of competition and a field of more than 90 of South Africa’s top Yu-Gi-Oh! players, Ruan Janse van Rensburg emerged as the Gauteng State Champion, cementing his place among the country’s elite duellists.
“I think it was a combination of all three, but if I had to pick one, it would probably be preparation,” said Janse van Rensburg.
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Understanding your matchups and putting in the testing beforehand is what gives you an edge over a long tournament.
Despite lifting the trophy, Janse van Rensburg said there were several difficult matchups throughout the event, identifying Branded as one of the most challenging decks to face.
“A well-piloted Branded deck is probably my toughest matchup. The deck has an incredible grind game and is able to generate a lot of value and follow up,” he explained.
The veteran duellist, who has been competing in Yu-Gi-Oh! for around 15 years, said maintaining focus throughout a tournament is crucial, particularly during the later rounds when the pressure begins to mount.
“I try to treat every match the same, whether it’s Round 1 or the finals. Focusing on the current game state and not the result helps a lot. Once the match starts, I concentrate on making the best decisions possible rather than thinking about what’s at stake.”
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That mindset remained unchanged as he progressed through the knockout rounds.
“Honestly, I try not to think about winning the event at that stage. The moment you start thinking about the trophy or the final result, it can distract you from the game in front of you. I try to stay focused on the match I’m currently playing and make the best decisions possible.”
His victory earned him an impressive prize package, including a travel and accommodation package for the European Championship, a VIP package for the event, the State Championship trophy and the exclusive State Championship prize card.
“It’s an incredible prize package and definitely one of the highlights of winning the event,” he said.
However, despite qualifying for the prestigious international tournament, Janse van Rensburg has decided not to attend this year’s European Championship.
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“While I earned the travel award, I’ve decided not to make the trip and instead focus on future events closer to home.”
Reflecting on his long journey in the game, Janse van Rensburg named Tearlaments as his favourite deck of all time.
“I loved how skill-intensive it was and how every game felt different. The deck offered a huge amount of flexibility and rewarded players who could adapt and make the most of every resource available to them.”
For newcomers hoping to one day compete at the highest level, his advice is simple.
“Don’t focus too much on winning immediately. Focus on learning. Play as many games as you can, ask questions, watch experienced players and learn from your losses. Improvement comes naturally if you’re willing to put in the time.”
