Oh brother! Cabango tipped for top after scoring ‘special’ try
HIS brother is already a Welsh international and now it’s Theo Cabango’s turn to make his mark – but in a different sport.
Theo’s elder sibling Ben has won three caps for the Wales football team and made more than 70 appearances as a defender for Swansea City.
Two years younger at 19, Theo is on the books of Cardiff Rugby, having chosen the oval-shaped ball over the round one.
They have high hopes for him at the Arms Park and you can see why from the try he scored on the weekend.
Playing for the Cardiff club side at home to Newport in the Premiership Cup, he produced an individual effort that simply takes the breath away.
Fielding a high ball midway inside his own 22, he put in a step to find a bit of space in between the onrushing visitors and then put on the afterburners.
He simply sliced through the Newport defence, blistering away from the cover without anyone getting close to laying a hand on him as he raced in for the opening score of the game after just four minutes.
It was reminiscent of a kick receiver’s long-range touchdown in American Football, but without the blockers.
Cardiff RFC team manager Iestyn Williams has followed Cabango’s progress closely over the years, through his other role as head of Cardiff Schools Rugby.
He says the young winger’s stunning solo score against the Black and Ambers demonstrates his huge potential.
“It just sums up Theo as a player,” said Williams.
“He’s got that little sparkle. “Whenever he gets the ball, you are sort of excited and wondering what’s going to happen next.
“He’s got that thing inside him where he can do something special.
“He is a bit of a one-off. He’s got something about him. It excites me.
“For a young man as he is, that was something very special I saw on Friday and something I haven’t seen for years regarding an individual player.
“He took the ball, he saw the space and then he just used his pace and his power to get through and score.
“I’m not quite sure how fast he is, but speaking to the coaches in the Academy he’s up there with the best in the senior squad.
“Potential-wise, there is something special about him.
“It’s just great to see him coming through, with the way he is playing at the moment, and I am hoping he can push on and be successful as a pro.”
Like his brother Ben, Theo attended Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr, a Welsh-medium school in the Fairwater area of Cardiff.
He was a talented footballer and also used to do athletics and gymnastics to a high level. Aged nine, he was one of the fastest boys in the UK and up near the top in the high jump as well.
But after joining CRICC, where Rhys Patchell was one of the coaches, rugby became his passion and he really began to catch the eye on moving to Ysgol Glantaf for his sixth form studies.
“I have known Theo for a few years with my involvement with Cardiff Schools,” said Williams.
“He comes from a fantastic family and he is such a gentleman.
“He appreciates everything that comes towards him and I really hope he can push on and get what he deserves.
“I know his brother has been successful in football and I think Theo has got the ability to go far in the game.
“I personally see something special in him, something like a Shane Williams sort of player. He has got that little spark, that little excitement.
“As soon as he gets the ball, you are thinking what’s going to happen next.”
Cabango’s talent saw him snapped up for the Cardiff Blues pathway and he made his senior debut for the regional A team against the Ospreys in November 2019, even though he was only 17 and still at school.