There's a new rugby star in the making from the dusty streets of Fingo village. 12-year-old Siviwe Zondani is making waves in the rugby juniors as one of the key members of the Eastern Province under 12A side.
There's a new rugby star in the making from the dusty streets of Fingo village. 12-year-old Siviwe Zondani is making waves in the rugby juniors as one of the key members of the Eastern Province under 12A side.
The outside centre joined the EP side after excelling in the trials at Dispatch and Somerset East and was recruited straight to the A side because of the skills he demonstrated.
“I am happy that I’m part of the team. I was surprised as I didn’t expect to be chosen,” said Zondani. He says he is taking his rugby game very seriously and wants to one day play professionally.
When he is not training with the EP kings, the Grade six Ntaba Maria pupil’s skills are being honed by Monwabisi Ngcukana. Ngcukana has been with the lad from the very first time he took to the rugby field. The sports coordinator at Ntaba Maria says Siviwe is a very special player with great potential to make it further in the game of rugby.
“He was nine when I started working with him and he has always been an integral part of any junior team he has represented. “I always believed in him even though he undermined himself because of the level of competition when we went for the trial. But I knew he was capable of succeeding,” said Ngcukana.
He says their objective now is making sure Siviwe makes the under 13 Craven week competition next. The player says nothing is standing in his way in making that goal a reality.
October will present a chance to showcase his ability when he travels to the Western Cape with his EP kings teammmates to participate in the Southern Cape Coastal Rugby Tournament.
