When the Vodacom Bulls Currie Cup side was announced on Thursday, not many Grahamstown locals would’ve guessed that one of their own was in it.
When the Vodacom Bulls Currie Cup side was announced on Thursday, not many Grahamstown locals would’ve guessed that one of their own was in it.
It would be hard to blame them though, as Abongile Nonkontwana has spent most of his adulthood away from Grahamstown. Although born in Port Elizabeth, Nonkontwana claims Grahamstown as his home, having lived here for the majority of his childhood.
Speaking exclusively to Grocott’s Mail Sport, Nonkontwana takes us down memory lane. “I grew up in Joza Township in my early years, where my grandmother stayed” he recalled. “I then attended Sidbury Primary School. A school surrounded by many nature reserves, where my mom was teaching at one of the local schools”.
He admits though, that he did not know much about the sport he is excelling in at the moment, while he was growing up around Grahamstown. In fact, it seems like he was more intent on becoming the next Roger Federer. “To be honest, all I knew when I was younger that side (Grahamstown) was tennis. I dearly enjoyed it and had a good serve because of my height” (he laughs).
It was not until the versatile forward moved to East London, that he tried his hand at rugby, and what an attempt it would prove to be! His illustrious junior rugby career started at Selborne Primary and College, where he garnered a huge reputation around the Border region.
Standing at 1.95 metres tall, it was never going to be difficult for current employers, the Vodacom Blue Bulls, to spot him. Quizzed on his reaction upon hearing the news on his selection for Saturday’s game, Nonkontwana did not seem overwhelmed by it at all. “In all honesty, when I was told I would be part of the team, I just saw an opportunity to play the game I grew up loving”.
“Overall I’m excited but there is a job at hand” he asserted. Nonkontwana will be relishing the opportunity to get back on to the rugby field, having previously been kept on the sidelines with a fractured thumb. He now insists that he is content with where he is, in terms of his well-being. “The past two months have been filled with rehab and trying to prehab my weaknesses”. “It’s been a lot of conditioning and I’m satisfied with how it’s gone, as well as the weight I’m on now (109 kg’s)”. Repaying the faith the coach has in him, is one of the reasons why the former SA schools and U20 star, is extra determined to leave it all on the field, come match day.
“Coach Handre (Marnitz) believes in me. He has also been supportive, especially in the duration of my injury.” The former St Albans man is also clear about what Marnitz expects from him. “Just 100% effort!” he said. “The coach has given me all the tools, now it’s up to me to go out and give it my all”.
So what exactly are the tenacious forward’s objectives for the season ahead? “I’m a person who doesn’t like to add unnecessary pressure on myself”. “So I would say, I just expect a consistently solid performance for the season and to be able to provide what the team needs from me. Hopefully then this year, I can help the Blue Bulls become champions” he concludes with excitement.
Full profile on Abongile Nonkontwana coming soon. Like the Grocott’s Mail Sport page to stay updated.
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