From the fast lane to the Kings
ATHLETICS’ loss was rugby’s gain when Yaw Penxe decided to trade in his running spikes for rugby boots.
During the past few months the 20-year-old wing has made his Super Rugby debut for the Southern Kings and represented the Junior Springboks at the World Championships.
He toured Australia and Argentina with the Kings and went to Georgia with the Baby Boks.
Penxe decided to choose rugby over athletics in Grade 11. “I ran the 400m and 200m and competed in the triple jump. It was tough to decide between the two sports. In the end I took rugby for the love of it.”
However, he has not totally left the athletics track and occasionally returns to it informally when he feels he needs to up his pace.
Penxe said he developed a love for rugby at Queen’s College, where he first started to play the game. “Queen’s is an all boys school and rugby is a big thing. I started playing as an young eight-year-old and I have not stopped since then.
“When I was young I used to look up to Springbok wing Bryan Habana. I cannot put into words as to how excited I would get watching the Boks and all that as a young kid.
“When Bryan plays he does everything 110% and I like his work rate, and that is how I aim to better myself every time I take to the field.
“I actually started playing wing three years ago. Until then I played fullback, through high and junior school.”
Penxe said playing for the Junior Springboks at the World Championships in Georgia had been a wonderful experience.
The Baby Boks clinched third place by beating France 37-15.
“It has been a great year playing for the Junior Springboks and making my Super Rugby debut. I am so grateful for it. I did not expect to play Super Rugby for the Southern Kings but after the U19 tournament for EP, I was aiming for the Junior Boks.
“It [playing for Junior Boks] was a great experience for me and it was the first time I was involved in the national set-up. I enjoyed it a lot and learned a great deal from the coaches and also the players.”
At high school level Penxe represented Border twice at the U18 Craven Week. He first played for the Border Country Districts team at the 2014 tournament in Middelburg.
After a spell playing for Kirkham Grammar School in Lancashire in England as part of a schools’ exchange programme at the end of 2014, he represented Border at the 2015 Craven Week in Stellenbosch.
After high school, Penxe joined the EP Kings Academy. He was among a large contingent of youngsters that were included in the Kings squad for the 2016 Currie Cup qualification series.
He was named on the bench for their match against Namibian side the Welwitschias in Windhoek, and made his first class debut in the 22nd minute of the game.
After two Currie Cup appearances, Penxe joined the EP U19 team for their 2016 U19 provincial championship campaign.
Penxe said the time at Kirkham Grammar School had helped him to develop as a player. “I was 17 and at the end of my Grade 11 year I went over to Kirkham for six weeks.
“It was a great experience playing in totally different conditions and seeing how that culture was on that side. It was a special time and really helped my career.” Penxe has a simple formula for success. “I would say my biggest assets are my pace on attack and defence, and I strive to work very hard on the pitch.”