Star coach, amazing team
Queen’s mentor Lungi Dube intent on proving the impossible with his talented group of players
It always seems impossible until it ’ s done. Those are the words of the greatest statesman this country has ever seen, Nelson Mandela, which still echo in the memories of many people around the world.
Lungisani Dube bears testament to that and is living proof. He has recreated himself, identified his cause and made history.
Lungi, who coaches at Queen ‘ s College, has already been featured on SABC and in SA Rugby magazine for his exploits with the Queen ’ s U9A team, which lost only one match in three years. There were unbeaten seasons in 2017 and the heroics of a super 2019 season when they only conceded seven points.
So, who is Mr Dube, or Coach Dube as he is affectionally known to the Queenians? The mentor, 26, was born in nearby Makhanda (Grahamstown) and attended Graeme College where his rugby was ignited and where he played for the first rugby team for three years. He was selected for EP U19 which saw him earn a contract with South Western Districts under the tutelage of former EP Kings and current Springboks assistant coach Deon Davids.
Dube played in the glorious 2014 SWD U21 team in the Currie Cup competition along with Komani ’ s Andisa Ntsila, that went all the way to the final, only to lose to the EP Kings.
As happens in life, at a certain point one is faced with crossroads and has to take tough decisions that will map your future pathway. It was no different with this young man, as he had to choose between chasing the dream of pro rugby or concentrating on his studies.
It was tough, taking his background into consideration.
Raised by a single mom, Lungi was offered a contract by WP, but his mentor, Pierre Jacobs, his first team coach at Graeme and now first XV coach at Queen ’ s, advised him to take an internship at Queen ’ s and study through a learnership programme.
The transition to Queen ’ s College in 2015 fitted like a glove. Coming from Graeme, which is also a traditional rugby school, the ethos and surroundings were familiar.
He started coaching the U12C team to success, losing only the final match of the season, when most of his players were promoted to the A and B sides. Of that team, seven players were promoted to the U13A side the following year. Tiamo Njali received the U13 player of the year award, with a full sport bursary for the high school. As a new coach Lungi had already proved his ability and was promoted to the U11B side.
Iin 2017, due to his hard work, he was promoted to the U9A team which proved a masterstroke, as the team demolished every opponent in their unbeaten run, scoring more than 300 points and conceding less than 50.
In 2018 the U9A team only lost one game, to Selborne away. And 2019 was an incredible year. The team ’ s aura and confidence were unmatched. They were unbeaten going into their last match against Hudson Park, who were also unbeaten.
For the very first time in the season, Queen ’ s conceded a try, but still beat Hudson 33-7.
Dube said: “In my years of coaching at Queen ’ s, that was by far the most talented side I’ve seen.” To nurture and guide such raw talent comes with challenges, but Dube makes it look easy.
He said: “I am a firm believer in mentoring the kids on and off the field, to earn their trust by showing interest in their lives. That gets the best out of the boys. Coaching at this level takes a lot of character and I love every minute of it.”
He was promoted with the same team this year to the U10A, after a good pre-season.
Unfortunately everything was halted due to the coronavirus, but he is hopeful he can grow with the team to U13A.
Dube is optimistic that there is a career in coaching and aspires one day to explore opportunities overseas. What makes him so successful at Queen’s is that he can relate to the players as he comes from a similar background.
Dube says nothing beats hard work and his prayers are for everyone to stay positive in these challenging times.
In my years of coaching at Queen ’ s, that was by far the most talented side I ’ ve ever coached