Beast Nojekwa relentless
Komani-based star chases goal
Beeaaasstt! That s the chant ’ around most stadiums in SA during Sharks and Springbok prop Tendai Beast “” Mtawarira s marauding clashes ’ with his opponents.
Adopting the same name as Mtawarira from his schooldays, standing at 1.86m and weighing a hefty 123kg, Buhle Siyasanga Nojekwa, better known as Beast in rugby circles, is striving to emulate one of the best prop forwards SA has ever seen.
The 24-year-old is pushing boundaries while taking every opportunity that comes his way.
He might not have reached his full potential yet, but signs are good that it s only a matter of ’ time before he hits the big time.
His journey started at Louis Rex Primary School, and went all the way to Dubai and back in striving for his ultimate goal ... to be the best version of himself that he can.
His love for rugby started at Louis Rex at the hands of teacher and coach Yehudi Maart. He moved on to Maria Louw and, at the age of 14, after excelling in the Under 15 team of Denzil McCaskill, he was roped in for first team duties under Tim Arends.
Beast left Komani in Grade 10 for Indwe, where he matriculated.
While there he got his first cap in provincial rugby when he was selected for the Border U16 Grant Khomo side.
That elevated his status as one of the best props in his bracket when he was selected in consecutive years (2012-13) for the Border Country Districts Craven Week team.
After matriculating, Nojekwa got an offer to play for the Border Bulldogs U21 side, but instead chose to go to the Stellenbosch Academy which, at the time, he believed was a stepping stone to securing a contract with the Western Province U21 squad. At times life does not work out the way you plan, and Beast soon found that out.
He realised he had to double his efforts and work twice as hard as the other players as he came from an underprivileged background.
Sheer willpower to succeed saw him become one of the strongest players at the academy and thus roped in to play for Maties club rugby in 2016.
It was tough for Nojekwa, considering the financial burden it put on his aunt, Neziwe Nojekwa, to keep him at the academy.
Beast lost his mother in 2006 and it was up to his aunt to look after his well-being.
She was never in favour of him pursuing a career in rugby, but instead wanted him to concentrate on his studies as he would need something to fall back on if rugby did not work out.
However, his family still supported him.
The WP contract eluded Beast and he had to revert to Border Bulldogs.
Again, tragedy struck.
Just as he was about to sign a contract, injury struck when he broke his ankle.
After a painful time on the sidelines and through a tough recovery period, he played for Swallows in the Gold Cup to regain full fitness.
With Border s struggles and ’ liquidation, he received a lifeline when he was offered a contract to play in Dubai.
Nojekwa played for Dubai Hurricanes in the UAE Premiership. That saw him travel to countries like Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, playing under difficult circumstances with the extreme heat.
His confidence grew as he doubled up rugby with powerlifting.
He was under the tutelage of top coaches in Mike Wernharm, who played in the English Premiership, and Matthew Pentner, who played for Wales U20, Wales 7s and for the Dragons in the PRO14.
Though making good money in Dubai, the hard-hitting prop s ’ hope is to secure a contract with a provincial team.