Loss of a gentle giant a big blow
Former Border Bulldogs winger Siyasanga “Sbu” Ncanywa was a rugby genius who could have broken into top-flight rugby if his life was not cut short.
Ncanywa succumbed to a long-term illness, which forced him off the rugby pitch late last season, on Tuesday last week.
He will be laid to rest at Qanda Location near Middledrift on Saturday.
David Dobela, a former Border Bulldogs coach who had mentored the winger, told the Daily Dispatch Sbu, as Ncanywa was known by his teammates, was a hard-working young man who had come from the rural areas.
Dobela said the prolific winger, who was a Bulldogs regular over the years, was patient with what he wanted to achieve.
“It took Sbu some time to crack into the Bulldogs squad.
“But he remained patient and listened to his coaches and he made sure he worked on his weaknesses.
“When his breakthrough finally came, he was the best winger we had,” said Dobela.
He said the Bulldogs had lost a player who could have contributed immensely in tournaments like the Currie Cup and then in top-flight rugby.
“Sbu scored a lot of tries for us and he had a lot of speed and vision on the pitch.
“He could have helped the Bulldogs campaign a lot and I know that there were many clubs that were after his signature because with us he was competing with the likes of Makazole Mapimpi.”
Dobela, who described Ncanywa as a “giant in this sport”, believed he could have made it into the premier division of the Currie Cup.
“I’m very saddened at his passing and my condolences go out to his entire family.
“He was everything to them and he could have made them more proud given the chance.
“The Ncanywa family is a sporting family in Middledrift and he was flying their flag high and we’ll always remember him,” said Dobela.
Border Bulldogs coach Tiger Mangweni also shared his grief, recalling how determined Ncanywa was to continue wearing Border colours.
“He was sick last year and we couldn’t have him in the team and this news caught me by surprise.
“I thought he still had a long way to go because he knew his story, he played very well.
“He was a winger – a finisher and he did exactly that on the field of play – scoring tries.
“So we are all saddened at this news,” said Mangweni.