Rugby Captains. In our series on sport captains, Schools That Rock talks to Lizweilenkosi Zulu. Lizweilenkosi is the captain of Curro Salt Rock High School, Ballito, Durban, 1st rugby team. Today Lizweilenkosi scores our fifth try in this rugby captains series for high schools in South Africa.
“I started playing rugby at the age of 8 years old. The reason for being so passionate about rugby, is because the first time I touched a rugby ball I realized that the sport is just for me, as the thrill of the sport is amazing. I play 15’s as well as 7’s rugby.
The position I play depends on the type of rugby that is played. In 15’s I’ve played 9 and 10 my whole life and in 7’s my main position is a hooker, but in all honesty, I am a player who can adapt. So I can play them all in 7’s.
The first time I was appointed rugby captain, was in grade 3.
Good rugby player
The qualities that make you a good rugby player is someone with a set of individual skills. Those skills make a difference in the team, a good listener, and someone who can apply the finishing touches best when it comes to what the coach wants.
Team-wise, our training sessions depend on the seriousness of the school term. On exam term we train a max of two times a week and on non-exam terms, it is three to four times a week. On a personal note, no, I do not get time because of schoolwork.
The highlight playing rugby for myself? It is accomplishing all the school awards I’ve achieved in rugby so far.
My most stressful game was when we played in the DHS (Durban High School) tournament. It was the first time in my rugby career that we were going to a Tier 1 Big school to compete against the best in KZN. It was a different experience, but also playing schools like Glenwood, Hilton, Westville, Northwood and they have produced numerous Sharks Craven Week players. That’s why I was so stressed.
Most exciting game
My most exciting game was in grade 8. It was the Ashton tournament. Ashton College is our biggest rival in the district. To round the tournament off, we beat them in the dying seconds!
Decisions I made that were effective, was last year when I chose to play hooker. The reason for my decision was, because the competition was very high and as a backline player, it was going to be hard to make it as I was competing with matriculants. So I chose to go forwards were my chances were higher at making the team. I play hooker now and I am very deadly and effective because of my speed and stepping skills.
My goals I would like to accomplish soon, is to make the Craven Week team or Coastal team for next year’s trials.
My top five priorities in life:
- God
- Family
- Education
- Rugby
- Friends
Role models
As rugby captain I have two players who I look up to in the sport. That is Selvyn David, who is the Springbok 7’s player and plays scrumhalf and center. The other one is Maurice Longbottom who plays for the Australian 7’s team and plays scrumhalf. The reason they are my role models, is that they are, like me, of the shortest and not the biggest players. So they give me hope that I can make it!
My worst rugby performance was the third and forth game at the Curro Cup between my school and Curro Heuwelkruin. The reason is because I missed a lot of tackles. My worst in my whole game and I got bounced badly and it was my worst performance as a player.
As rugby captain I motivate my team psychologically. I like to have one on ones with them and I challenge them to be better players mentally. The reason for doing that, is because, if you win in your head, you already have won it on the field. I also like encouraging and motivating them to do the things they fear in the game, so they can gain confidence.
What I have learned about teamwork, is that when you work as a unit and not as an individual in a team, you can accomplish anything. Not just in the game, but also outside of the game, because two heads are better than one. What I’ve learned from being rugby captain, is that I have superb leadership skills and I can calm people down when they are mad, angry and even excited. Sometimes you just have to relax.
New rugby players
My advice for new rugby players is to believe in themselves, because I have seen so many players not reach their full potential because they don’t.
When I see a teammate struggling with learning a new move, position, or play, I would tell him to look at the move been done before. When he does it, he must walk the move, or play, then jog it, then run it. It will be registered by then. That’s what the coach does for us when we are having a problem with a move.
My coach and fellow teammates describe me as caring, trustworthy, loving, loud, and having a never-dying spirit.
The best advice I have received from my coaches is to play your game and be yourself when you’re on the field. When I do that, I’m unstoppable. I saw it at the Curro Cup when my coach let me off the leash.
I think my team achieved the things it did successfully, is because the amount of brotherhood and love we have for each other. Its created strong bonds between us that made us achieve what we have.
Pro rugby
I most definitely would love to make pro rugby after school. My dream is to play the pro 14 League in France and the National 7’s team.
I will develop my performance moving forward by getting my fitness to the best level. Doing that, it’s not hard to make these intense leagues.
I believe the greatest challenge faced by today’s sports participants, is that everyone wants to make it but does not put in the work.
Managing my rugby responsibilities and other recreational and non-recreational (academic) activities is not that hard. Thank God that he blessed me with both talents of being inclined academically so I can handle the pressure well because there is time to play rugby and a time to study.
If I am being honest, rugby excites me most in life. I live for the game.
The single greatest highlight of the past five years in sport was the time in grade 8 we played Richardsbaai Hoërskool. Thailen, our kicker, kicked the ball and I ran and caught the ball, stepped three people and scored. I scored the quickest try of my career which was in 10 seconds and after that game, everyone from every school came to congratulate me and praised me for what I did.
The professional rugby player I would like to have coffee with, is Selvyn David. I would want to ask him what encouraged him to be a rugby player and how did he make it.
Describe myself in one word – Unpredictable.“
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