Watch out world, Komani s Benge on the rise ’
In the words of 18-year-old Sihlalo Benge: Play each game like it s your last.”
Raved about as the next big thing about to explode and announce himself on the biggest stages of world rugby, Benge has double provincial colours in rugby and cricket.
Benge, who was born with a presence and aura about him, has excelled at every level he has played.
His excellence and skillset are complimented by his leadership qualities, a rare breed in sport.
He is Komani rugby's best hope of unearthing another sporting icon since Khaya Malotana.
Born and bred in Komani to parents Sankie and Sindiswa Benge, it was clear from the outset he was special.
As a grade 1 pupil at Southbourne, Sihlalo was introduced to rugby by coach Peet van der Walt, who nurtured the raw talent.
It took Benge only two years before he was noticed by Queen's College, which invited him for trials.
An exceptionally gifted sportsman in athletics, cricket and rugby, it came as no surprise when the traditional rugby school offered him a bursary.
His journey as a Queenian started in grade 3 and it was already evident that he was a born flyhalf.
Benge said: The transition from Southbourne to a college was immense, coming from a school which had boys and girls to boys only and with the reputation and history the school carried.”
As anticipated, Benge did not disappoint, raking in provincial honours at will.
He played Border U12 and U13 and was vice-captain of both sides.
He doubled U13 rugby with U13 Border cricket, astonishingly vice-captain in both teams.
He continued his dominance in the junior teams at flyhalf with a selection and captaincy of the Border Grant Khomo U16 team in 2018.
That was a very good Border team, winning two of the three matches played, beating Western Province in the first game.
This culminated in him wearing the 1st XV jersey at Queen's and being selected for the SA U16 Green Squad. By their standards, Queen's College have struggled in the last couple of years.
When asked what the reason was behind the team s poor results, Benge was quick to state that it was a building phase which was unfortunately cut short due to no rugby this year. Coach Pierre Jacobs is a man of character and expects nothing less than hard work. We have been learning a lot from him on and off the field, the perfect mentor,” Benge said.
In 2019, Benge was selected for the SA U17 Elite squad and picked as the playmaker at 10 for the Border Craven Week team, under coach Phiwo Nomlomo.
He had a brilliant tournament, which led to his selection for the SA Schools A team under the tutelage of Nomlomo.
Benge played for the SA Schools A team in internationals, first starting as the number 12 centre against France, and in the next two matches against Wales and Argentina as flyhalf.
Nomlomo is regarded as one of the best coaches in the country.
When quizzed on what it is like to work under the man they call the magician Benge said:
Coach P is magical, he knows the game very well, in fact, he is unmatched and can push you to the highest level.
It was also in 2019 that Benge, with two other Queenians in Terrance Heidtman and Liyema Mgwigwi, went to the UK to Kirkham Grammar School on an exchange programme, as recognition for exceptional performances in rugby and cricket.
The pivot has signed a contract with the Lions, shying away from the traditional route of the Sharks, where Queen's is aligned via former players
S Bura Sithole, Allan Dell, Ryan Kankowski, Johan Meyer and now Andy Ntsila.
Benge feels the opportunity to develop at the Lions is better as he will be working with Springbok World Cup winner Elton Jantjies who, like him, is left-footed and an attacking flyhalf.
Benge will be studying a BA in business at the University of Johannesburg or Wits, with the hope of playing in the Varsity Cup.