A WEEK IN MAKAZOLE’S LIFE

Every day:

When I wake up, I play music and eat a bowl of oats to boost my energy. I take a shower. Then I pack lunch and snacks I’ve prepared the night before because there aren’t shops close to the field.

I attend meetings with my teammates for 30 minutes to an hour at 7:30am.

We record our weight, stretch and do mobility drills. We hit the gym or the field once in the morning and again in the afternoon.

Recovery is vital, especially after heavy training or a game. I jump in an ice bath, a swimming pool or sauna and ensure I get between eight and nine hours of sleep a night.

Monday:

We watch footage of the opponents in our next game to analyse the players. Then, our coach teaches us tactics to beat them.

Players on the inside need someone on the outside with a zoomed-out perspective to tell them what the defence is doing, so it’s my responsibility as a winger to communicate with my teammates.

Tuesday and Thursday:

On Tuesdays, we pick up our intensity, and on Thursdays, we do a tough, short, quick performance session. Rugby is about putting your body in the right place, so you must hone your foot-eye coordination and multi-directional speed. We work on our explosive power, how fast we can get to the try line or run with the ball and the endurance to last an 80-minute game.

Wednesday and Friday:

Wednesday is our day off, and Friday is usually the day before a match so we’ll go for a walk.

saturday: Matchday.