SHARKS PLAYERS ARE A TESTAMENT TO THE OPPORTUNITY THAT RUGBY OFFERS THE YOUTH
In the varied club moves a professional rugby player makes, you go where the opportunities are. So, it’s a privilege getting to walk as much of the road together as these two Sharks have.
Come the bleak mid-Winter, every player wishes they were based in Durban. For Gonubie-born Khwezi Mona, Durban feels like home. We sat down with him to find out more about his love for the sport.
“My love for rugby started when we moved to the suburbs in the Eastern Cape, from the first day I picked up a rugby ball, I was in love.”
For Anthony Volmink, his love of rugby first developed through watching his dad and brothers play rugby as a kid. Anthony played amateur rugby before getting the opportunity to play for the Lions and the rest, he says, is history.
The guys became friends as they found themselves playing together in Joburg, then Kimberley and now Durban.
With their team having qualified for next season’s European Championships, conditioning is everything and we got to join the men during their gym training session.
The best therapy is to do what Khwezi did growing up at the sea – heading for the beach. Where they never lose sight of how rugby has allowed them to make good on their dreams.
Since the shark is their animal totem, we challenged the manne to dive with some of their real namesakes at uShaka Marine World.
With their franchise receiving major investment and competition in Europe bringing new audiences, life looks pretty tasty and after an eventful day, the Manne decided to stop off at Bellézar for something to eat.
Eating healthily is no longer seen as sacrifice, not when sticking to your diet looks this good.
For young South Africans, Khwezi and Anthony see many lessons learned on the field that have helped with challenges off it.
