Rugby player aims high
Love of rugby was born after witnessing Bryan Habana play in 2007.
“My mother inspires me to perform my best every day,” said 18-year-old Hacjivah Dayimani, a pupil at Jeppe High School for Boys.
The Grade 12 pupil has a goal of playing professional rugby and said he hopes to also study marketing one day.
Hacjivah is committed to achieving his goals and making his mother proud.
Hacjivah said rugby was never his first choice.
“Soccer was, but the school I went to never had soccer so I ended up choosing rugby. My love for rugby was born when I saw Bryan Habana play in 2007.
“I started playing rugby in 2008 after I saw the famous Habana dive over the try line in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. I wanted to be like him, so I played just for that dive,” said Hacjivah.
He said it has not been easy because he had to commit himself and he had to put in a lot of work as many did not believe in him.
Hacjivah pushed himself and two of his coaches played an important role and had an impact in his rugby career.
“Mr C Axsel and Mr R Hammond played a big role. If it was not for them I would have given up a long time ago. They were the only two coaches who believed in me when everyone did not.
“After I won most improved player at my former school that gave me hope” said Hacjivah.
He said he pushed to improve and over the years that has been evident.
In 2015 Hacjiva was selected for the South African Schools Rugby team and also selected for the Rugby Sevens squad to compete at the Commonwealth Games.
“This year I grew a lot as a rugby player. My highlight for this year was the KES Festival where I scored a try from my own 22 against Queens College from Eastern Cape,” said Hacjivah.
He said with such an achievement he proved to himself that dedication and hard work pays off.
He said he hopes to, and would love to, play professional rugby.
