EYES PREMIER BERTH
‘Explosive’ Bholi wants to make his mark in professional rugby
AS RIVALS have been busy finding out this season, explosive EP Kings loose forward Thembelani Bholi is a player who likes to demolish everything in front of him and “bounce off” the opposition.
With the countdown clock kicking towards the start of the Currie Cup Premier Division in August, Bholi is one of the players who is fighting for a berth in the Kings team to play Western Province in the opening game of the season.
“In each and every game I get, I fight to prove myself and show the coaches that I can play rugby,” Bholi said this week ahead of the Kings’ Vodacom Cup game against the Sharks.
“I am fighting to get into the Currie Cup side. My dream is to play at the top flight.”
Judged by his style of play, it is hardly surprising that Springbok Schalk Burger is the player he admires most.
“The reason I like Schalk is that he demolishes everything in front of him. I really looked up to him and when I was younger. I said to myself that is the work I want to do one day,” Bholi said.
Bholi, 24, is one of a number of talented young Kings players who are relishing the fact that Eastern Province are returning to Premier Division rugby after a 12 year absence.
He has caught the eye of Kings Vodacom Cup head coach Mzwandile Stick who included the flank in his starting line-up to play the Sharks in Durban.
“I was born in a village outside East London and started playing rugby in the region. It was always my dream to be a professional player. Later I moved to East London where I played for Winter Rose,” Bholi, who attended Jamangile SS School in Maclear, said.
Bholi represented the Border Country Districts at the 2007 and 2008 under-18 Craven Week tournaments. He then joined the Eastern Province Kings academy and played for them at U21 level in 2010 and 2011.
He was one of a group of eight players that graduated from the Eastern Province Kings Academy in its first year, signing a contract with the team for the 2012 season
He was named in the 2012 Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup First Division squads, but suffered a shoulder injury that prevented him from playing in any matches. He was then included in the squad for the Currie Cup First Division last year and was named in the starting lineup for their match against the Leopards.
Bholi was one of the stars when the Kings demolished Border 60-6 in Grahamstown and it is this performance that he looks back on with great satisfaction. “I think that was my best game to date. I was playing against some of the players who I had played against while I was in East London. I had a point to prove and so did they. But I think I proved myself in that game because I like to take the challenge.” Bholi says there are many talented players in the townships but they need to be prepared to work hard if they are to succeed.
“There is no doubt the talent is there and if they really want it , they can come through. Discipline is important. Sometimes that aspect is lacking and they need it if they want to go all the way,” Bholi said.
When Bholi is not playing or improving his fitness, the flank says he relaxes by listening to jazz music or watching Super Rugby on television.