Mujawo makes SA Schools rugby side

Sport
ZIMBABWE could be on the verge of losing another fledgling rugby star to neighbours South Africa after promising winger Tatendaishe Mujawo was on Thursday included in their national schools side for the Under-19 International Series in August.

ZIMBABWE could be on the verge of losing another fledgling rugby star to neighbours South Africa after promising winger Tatendaishe Mujawo was on Thursday included in their national schools side for the Under-19 International Series in August.

BY DANIEL NHAKANISO

Tatendaishe Mujawo was presented with his Golden Lions Under-18 cap ahead of the recent Coca-Cola Craven Week. Picture: www.lionsrugby.co.zw
Tatendaishe Mujawo was presented with his Golden Lions Under-18 cap ahead of the recent Coca-Cola Craven Week. Picture: www.lionsrugby.co.zw

The SA Schools team will take on their counterparts from England, Wales, France and Italy from August 12 to 20 in Cape Town and Paarl, with the teams set to battle it out in three rounds of matches.

Should Mujawo impress during the tournament, it would significantly improve his chances of making the South Africa side for next year’s World Rugby Under-20 Championship to be held in Georgia.

Former St John’s College student Eli Snyman is the most recent Zimbabwean player to represent South Africa after his selection into the side which finished third at this year’s World Rugby U20 Championship hosted by England in June.

In an interview with Standardsport on Friday, the young star spoke of his delight at being selected for the SA Schools A side, but was quick to point out that he was not looking far ahead just yet and would continue to work hard.

“I’m really excited at the selection as it has proven to me how the concept of hard work always pays off. I just want to continue working hard and taking each game as it comes and don’t want to put any pressure on myself by thinking too much about the future just yet,” he said.

“I would also want to thank my coaches, teammates and everyone that has had an influence on my life because without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Mujawo (18) was in sublime form for the Bidvest Golden Lions Under-18 side during the recent Under-18 Coca Cola Craven Week held at Kearsney College in Durban, South Africa.

Nicknamed “The Bus” for his sheer strength and breakneck speed, Mujawo was a permanent feature on the Bidvest Golden Lions Under-18 right wing.

The Harare-born star managed to score two tries during the tournament including a brilliant individual effort in his team’s narrow 27-20 defeat to Western Province in the final last Saturday.

A product of Gateway Primary School in Harare, Mujawo represented at the 2011 edition of the Under-13 Craven Week held at Afrikaans Boys’ High School in Pretoria.

Although only 13 years of age then, Mujawo showed enough promise to be awarded a scholarship to study and further his rugby development at St Benedict’s College in Bedfordview, Johannesburg.

Mujawo was one of the several Zimbabwe-born fledgling stars who featured for different South African provincial Under-18 sides during the recent Under-18 Coca Cola Craven Week held in Durban South Africa.

The Sharks Under-18 side had two Zimbabweans in flyhalf Angus Curtis and tear away winger Tonderai Ndudzo, whose elder brother Brian is also a former Zimbabwe youth international.

A number of young Zimbabwean rugby players have also been making their mark for South Africa provinces in the Under-13 Craven Week and the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week.