Stransky is in [[Pietermaritzburg]], Suid Afrika gebore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishsports.net/BioPages/JoelStransky.html|title=Joel Stransky|website=www.jewishsports.net|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311015727/http://www.jewishsports.net/BioPages/JoelStransky.html|archive-date=11 March 2010}}</ref> Hy is van Engelse- en Tsjeggiese afkoms;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishtelegraph.com/prof_42.html|title=A JEWISH TELEGRAPH NEWSPAPER|first=Alex Harris webmaster@jewishtelegraph.com - Jewish|last=The Telegraph|website=www.jewishtelegraph.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325212053/http://www.jewishtelegraph.com/prof_42.html|archive-date=25 March 2012}}</ref> en Joods vanaf sy pa se kant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/features/boot_against_apartheid|title=A Boot Against Apartheid|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315133849/http://www.thejewishweek.com/features/boot_against_apartheid|archive-date=15 March 2012}}</ref> Hy het sy skoolopleiding by Maritzburg College gedoen en is afgerig deur Skonk Nicholson, 'n welbekende afrigter in skolerugby. Na sy militêre diensplig in Pretoria het hy by die Universiteit van Natal studeer.
