Gareth 'Snowyy' Spiers is one of the top players players within the newly formed region of SSA. Currently playing on the Orlando Pirates Exdee roster, where the team has began to form a dynasty with 5/6 regional victories, it was our pleasure to gain insight from Snowyy himself regarding the team, recent performances, and his hopes for the future.
What initially got you into competitive Rocket League?
Nothing in particular, I am a super competitive person so naturally I am attracted toward the competitive side of whatever it is I'm interested in.
Did you have any idols in RLCS prior to SSA's introduction to the scene?
If I had to think of an idol in RLCS, it would probably be Deevo. I don't think there has been or will be anyone that plays the game the way he does, it's so unique and satisfying to watch. He was an absolute monster in his day, formerly being the best player in the world and a world champion of course, and it's great to see him still competing at the top today.
What's your favourite moment from your career thus far as a player?
It's tough to think of a favourite, but I think that the two that stand out to me is getting to play on Johnnyboi's stream and winning the inaugural SSA regional in RLCS.
What would you say is your biggest strength as a player?
I think my biggest strength is my game IQ. I have always had a natural feel of how the game should be played at a high level and it really pulls through when other aspects of my game aren't firing.
Which team would you say is your biggest rival within SSA?
Definitely Bravado, they are the only team to beat us in RLCS so far and our games against them are always tough and hard fought.
After dropping the first event of the season to Bravado in Winter regional event 1, do you think that result helped you guys to stay hungry for the wins?
Yes, it definitely spiked the hunger in all of us and motivated the team to push harder. The loss left a really bitter taste for all of us so we are trying our best to make sure it doesn't happen again.
The VS Gaming events seemingly kept the scene afloat for years on end, where do you think the scene would be without such events?
I think that without the VS Gaming events happening in 2017, 2018 and 2019, there is a real possibility that our scene would not exist today. It gave the small amount of us who loved Rocket League something to play for leading up until now.
What are you most looking forward to about going to Dallas, assuming the team qualifies?
Obviously looking forward to going to a place that I have never been before, meeting new people, the food, and the atmosphere, but the main thing I am looking forward to is having a full South African team competing on the world stage in an equal setting for the first time, it's something I have been dreaming of for a few years now.
Do you have any hopes/expectations about the event, and how do you think SSA stacks up against the rest of the world?
We have virtually no expectations, as it's our first time competing internationally and will mainly be a learning experience, however, I do hope that we can compete at a respectable level. It's going to be seriously tough to beat the majority of the teams that we will be facing at the Wildcard, but make no mistake, we will be giving it our all from preparation well before the event to the final game.
Do you think we'll be seeing a SSA slot at majors in the near future?
Yes I believe so, I think that is the fair and correct choice moving forward and I do think that this season has showed that we deserve a chance at the Majors. I was quite disappointed to see that we were excluded from them in this current season.
You've been playing for the Orlando Pirates Exdee for a while now, how have they helped you guys to progress as a team?
Orlando Pirates and Exdee Gaming have been nothing but totally supportive of us. They have backed us for 3 years now and are always accomodating to us as players and as a team.
Finally, if you were to give any tip to an aspiring SSA pro, what would it be?
My tip to upcoming SSA players would be to just put in the work and believe in yourself.