Maclear’s Ngcobo-born Biyana gets Banyana call Blitzbok a world champion
Soyizwapi in Sevens Heaven
GROWING up in the dusty streets of rural Maclear, Siviwe Soyizwapi never dreamt that he would one day be a world champion.
But that is what “Shakes” – as Soyizwapi is affectionately known – is today, after clinching the World Sevens with the Blitzbokke in Paris two weeks ago.
The Mthatha-born talent played an instrumental role in helping the SA Sevens team, the Blitzboks, achieve what had eluded them for years.
The speedy Soyizwapi scored 29 tries during the 2016/17 Sevens season – only three behind the try-scoring machine Seabelo Senatla, who dotted down 32 times.
Speaking to Saturday Dispatch, Soyizwayi said never in his wildest dreams did he ever think he would don the green and gold – let alone become a world champion.
“I was telling the other journalists during the week that growing up in Maclear I was never allowed to dream big.
“So I never expected this. Playing as a professional and winning the series is something special,” he said.
The former Southern Kings wing/fullback said he was ecstatic to be part of a series-winning group.
“It is very humbling to be part of this. I am a very happy man because we have been trying to achieve this for the past three years but finished as runners-up,” he said.
Soyizwapi recalled how special it was to return to the country to find scores of fans waiting to give them a hero’s welcome at the OR Tambo International Airport this week.
He described the reception as absolutely special.
“People had things to do as they had to be at school and at work the next day, yet they waited for us,” Soyizwapi said.
The reception was humbling. I would like to thank South Africans for their support on social media and for when we met them them.
“They are always excited to see us,” he said.
The 1.72 metre tall 24 year-old who has a full time Sevens contract is hoping to remain injuryfree and be part of the team that goes to the World Cup next year and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Just like any rugby player, Soyizwapi also dreams of playing for the Springboks one day in the future.
With the Sevens season over, he has turned his attention to the XVman format.
“I would love to play some Currie Cup this season. I am just looking for game time, to keep fit and to contribute to that team's success,” he said.
But for now, Soyizwapi and his teammates are busy with Blitzbokke roadshows, going around the country, parading the trophy before adoring fans.
After the roadshows, he plans to return home and spend some time with his family
He described his family as being very supportive.
“Even when I am overseas, they always get up in the middle of the night to watch me play, despite the different time zones. I always enjoy their support and I appreciate that,” he said.
The speedy player said he initially had no idea what he wanted to be when he grew up, but “My parents always encouraged me to follow my heart and do what I love”.
He enrolled for a sport management course at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, but, due to a busy professional rugby schedule, he had to drop out.
So what advice does he have for budding players?
“It does not matter where you are from as long as you have faith in God and the talent that He gave you, it is okay,” he said.
“I've realised that the people we see on TV are normal just like you and me, so if they can do it, so can you as long as you don't give up,” he said. BANYANA Banyana caretaker coach Desiree Ellis has named Ngcobo-born Kholosa Biyana in her 25 women team as part of seven new faces to the national set up.
The training camp will be from tomorrow until Thursday as Ellis prepares her charges ahead of next year's Africa Women Cup of Nations in Ghana.
The former Banyana captain will also use the camp to further monitor players for the qualifiers of the Fifa Women's World Cup in France in 2019.
The Clarkebury-born midfielder told Saturday Dispatch that she was over the moon because of the call up.
“It's just a call up. I still have to work hard in order to make the team. The next thing for me now will be to make the team and become a regular,” she said.
The 23 year-old sports science student at the University of Kwazulu-Natal said when she started playing with boys in her village, she never thought she would be called up to the Banyana training camp.
“I used to play for fun until people started telling me that I was good. Then when I played in the World Students Games, I realised that my game had improved.
“It was only then that I realised it was possible to make the Banyana Banyana team,” she said.
She remembered how she heard that Ellis had named her in the training camp squad as if it was yesterday.
“We were celebrating coach Thinasonke Mbuli's birthday when she received the e-mail at school. Then she told me and the team later that day last week.
“It was like a birthday present to her,” she jokingly said.
Biyana encouraged young girls to continue playing in order for them to represent the country one day.
“Girls must not give up hope and stop playing because some day, something like this will happen to them.
“Other players started getting call ups at age 14 and I am 23, so it's never too late,” Biyana said.
When Ellis announced the team this week, she described it as being balanced.
Since Banyana last played in January against France, Ellis said training camps will be crucial in preparing the team for upcoming competitions.
“This exercise will become more important when we get closer to the qualifiers because we need a strong team to play in the Awcon qualifiers and finish in the top three at the 2018 Awcon so we can go to France.
“We can't wait until the year of competition and start preparations as it will be too late. We narrowly missed out on the last World Cup tournament in Canada, so it will be crucial that we qualify for this one,’’ said Ellis.