ZIMBABWE rugby always has a conveyor belt of talent coming through its school system, but every now and then a special player comes along and creates a buzz.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO RECENTLY IN BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA
Daniel Erasmus, the Zimbabwe Under-13 rugby team captain is one such player.
The St John’s College centre was one of the standout players during this year’s Under-13 Coca-Cola Craven Week held at Grey College in Bloemfontein, South Africa from July 10 to 14.
The Craven Week is one of the world’s biggest schoolboy rugby tournaments in which South Africa’s provincial select sides are joined by Zimbabwe and Namibia’s national schools teams for a week of top quality, bruising and entertaining rugby.
Being the leader of the young side, Erasmus led his charges from the front after claiming the man of the match honours during Zimbabwe’s 41-0 win over Border Country Districts in their opening match.
Erasmus was the driving force in the side, playing a role in almost all Zimbabwe’s tries, including a brilliant switch pass to release teammate Tapuwanashe Chakuchichi for what was undoubtedly one of the contenders for the tries of the tournament.
Although Zimbabwe went on to lose their next three matches against Leopards, Namibia and Griquas, Erasmus was outstanding throughout the campaign, displaying great awareness of the game and real leadership qualities which, at his age, is fantastic.
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Not only is he physically well-built but his skill-set at centre is excellent.
Erasmus makes good running lines, decisions, passes well and knows what is required from his role in the side. He can take the ball forward when required and the more experience and exposure he gets both at St John’s College and at national junior level, the better he is going to get.
Zimbabwe Under-13 rugby team coach Gordon Pangeti, a former schoolboy rugby prodigy before pursuing a professional rugby career in South Africa, predicted a very bright future ahead for the highly-talented young star.
“Our captain Daniel Erasmus was amazing; he made some huge tackles, big runs and linked up the play well. He was positive; he’d get the ball and get going. Before the tournament I told him to lead from the front and he did exactly that. I’m just not talking but [he is] a man of action,” Pangeti said.
“From the onset, he had some great line breaks and that created a lot of tries for us. He also created one of the most exceptional tries I’ve seen at that level and it was all natural and not about coaching.
“I think you can see the natural flair of the boy, he’s destined for great things and definitely one to watch for the future.”
Despite the steady stream of plaudits coming his way, Pangeti believes Erasmus still has plenty of untapped potential and he expects him to keep working hard in order to improve.
