Rugby Captains. In our popular series about sports captains, Schools That Rock today talks to Zinzo Gwentshula. Zinzo is the captain of Edgemead High School in Cape Town 1st rugby team. Zizo today scores the fifth try in our series this year on Rugby Captains from high schools in South Africa.
“I started playing rugby at the age of seven. My older brother convinced me to start playing rugby. At my first game I was excited with a bit of nervousness. I can’t remember a lot about my first rugby game, besides the fact that I knew very little and that we won the game.
My advice to rugby beginners is to just stick to the basics and you will develop from there.
As rugby captain, outside centre is my current position. I have also played fullback, flank and lock. Outside Centre is my favourite position and I am very happy in my position.
This year is the first time I was elected as captain. The first time I jogged onto the field as rugby captain, I knew that I need to make decisions for the team and the decisions I make can affect the performance of the team. I also felt as if there was a weight on my shoulders.
Motivation
As rugby captain I keep my team members motivated during matches by reminding them of the goals we set for ourselves, and we can’t afford to lose because we made promises to ourselves.
The competencies a good rugby player should possess of, is discipline, respect, and a good heart. My key to success on the rugby field is teamwork.
What inspires me every time I run on the rugby field for a match, is the love for the game. Rugby is the only thing I need.
In my career up to now, the match which was the most fun, was our tour against Union High School. It was my first tour game ever and the idea of tour excited me. On this tour I had my best game defensively. In my rugby career, the game I don’t want to remember, was against Connect Knights last year. The reason because we lost our school rivals.
The rugby decision I made which I think was good, was during the game against Union High School. I decided to go for pools, as we won by only 6 points.
When I had a tough game, I seek help and advice from my cousin who played the same position as me.
My greatest rugby hero is Lukhanyo Am, because of his background and the flair he plays with. I see myself in him. My personal rugby goal I would you like to achieve this year, is getting my team to have the best rugby season that they had ever been had at school.
I do intend to continue playing rugby after school at Varsity Cup level.
I handle my responsibilities at rugby alongside social and academic responsibilities by allocating time for all and prioritise which is when more important.
My biggest single highlight of my rugby career so far, was when I ran a coast to coast try against Westerford High in 2021.
The professional rugby player I would like to have coffee with is Aphelele Fassi.
I’d like to describe myself as electric.
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https://www.edgemeadhigh.org.za/
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