Ballito Dolphin’s Maximus readies himself for new rugby season
Dolphins' chairperson, Mark Svenningsen said The South African Rugby Union (SARU) Covid-19 regulations have allowed clubs to return in a phased approach, starting with non contact, full contact and finally games from May 22.
Ballito Dolphin’s loosehead prop and hooker, Muzi “Maximus” Luthuli is training hard for the new season, due to start next month.
The Maidstone resident said he was first introduced to rugby while in high school when an U16 coach identified him as big enough to crack it in the front row.
“I had to learn the game as I played. From there I played first-team rugby at Northwood School. After matriculating in 2009 I slotted straight into the U20A at Crusaders for the 2 seasons I was in that age bracket. In 2011, I moved back to Maidstone where the closest club was Ballito Dolphins and I have been playing there ever since.”
During his journey with the Dolphins, he also attended the Investec international rugby academy to help sharpen his game knowledge and work on his individual skills.
“For 3 or 4 years in a row, I made it into the Durban Rugby Sub-Union (DRSU) which is an inter-KZN tournament against the other sub-unions such as Zululand, Northern KZN, Midlands and Southern KZN.”
His immediate goal is to get as fit and conditioned as he was in high school, so that he will be able to play his best rugby.
Long term, he wants to continue to represent the Durban region.
After 10 years at the Ballito Dolphins, he enjoys the off-field comradery, being able to make friends who are like brothers.
“It is a family orientated club, so we always encourage girlfriends, wives, parents and kids to join us at every game.”
When not playing rugby, Luthuli said for fun, he plays golf now and then.
His day job is more brain than brawn, working as an IT technician at Spill Doctor RSA.
Luthuli said the Dolphins are back in training every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at Maidstone Cricket Ground.
Dolphins’ chairperson, Mark Svenningsen said The South African Rugby Union (SARU) Covid-19 regulations have allowed clubs to return in a phased approach, starting with non contact, full contact and finally games from May 22.
“The Dolphins draw players from as far as Mandeni with transport enabled by our sponsors. Transport can be arranged from Ballito, Salt Rock, Shaka’s Head, Shakaskraal, Groutville and Stanger.
All are welcome no matter what level you have previously played,” said Svenningsen.
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