Former Grahamstown schoolboy, Rasco Speckman is making his mark for the Natal Sharks U21 team. Speckman joined the Sharks rugby academy in 2008 shortly after completing his studies at Mary Waters High School and Kingswood College.
Former Grahamstown schoolboy, Rasco Speckman is making his mark for the Natal Sharks U21 team. Speckman joined the Sharks rugby academy in 2008 shortly after completing his studies at Mary Waters High School and Kingswood College.
After making an impact with his blistering pace and supernatural side-stepping, rugby coaches and administrators noticed Speckman’s abundant talent and he was later selected to play for the Sharks U21 team in the Currie Cup.
The left wing became an immediate threat to opponents and has now become one of the stars of the Sharks. The 21-year-old is one of the leading try scorers in the Currie Cup and is in the top five try scorers and top performers in the competition.
His excellent form was recognised by Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu and he was later invited to the Springboks Sevens training squad where he is part of a broader squad.
Speckman has been injured since the beginning of the season but scored two amazing tries in a pre-season game against the Griquas.
The local hero is currently based in Durban where he trains with the Sharks and also plays for another team, College Rovers, while studying Sports Management.
Speckman started his rugby career as a scrumhalf at Mary Waters High School. He also played for local club Swallows RFC when Mawas coach Chesley Daniels selected the speedster as a winger. He was later also selected to represent the Eastern Province U18 side.
Then Kingswood College decided to give the youngster a chance to further his studies and expand his sporting skills.
Apart from rugby, Speckman has proven his talent as both as an athlete and a cricket player. Speckman got the talent from his father, Joseph Speckman who represented Border at rugby, cricket and athletics in the 80s.
“I am a proud man and I hope that my son will take the opportunities afforded to him with both hands because in our days there were limited opportunities and resources,” says Joseph.
His dad would like to see his son following in the footsteps of Grahamstown rugby legend Fabian Juries who currently plays for the Western Province Stormers.
Rasco thanks his family; Chesley Daniels who coached him at school; Graham Carlson of Kingswood College; his coaches at Swallows RFC and his fellow players in his earlier career, who all helped him get to where he is now.
