The inspirational journey of rugby star Mhleli ‘Giraffe’ Dlamini from township to Tel Aviv

Tighthead prop Mhleli Dlamini has grown from humble beginnings in the Hambanathi township to scrumming against World Cup players.

The 29-year-old star has made a career out of the sport and now plays for the Tel Aviv Heat, Israel’s first professional domestic rugby team.

Known as “Giraffe” for his towering height and size 13 boots, Dlamini grew up in Hambanathi in Tongaat before first getting a taste of organised rugby with the Ballito Dolphins.

He stayed with the Dolphins for almost six years before he was noticed by scouts and picked up by the Bulls.

Giraffe had just touched down in Pretoria when he last spoke to the Courier in 2021.

“It was a great two years. I feel like my game improved significantly and I learned so much from everyone around me, including coach Jake White,” said Dlamini.

“I got a taste of Currie Cup rugby but never cracked the Super Rugby team, so looked for a new challenge.”

An opportunity to join the Heat soon beckoned and Giraffe has not looked back since.

He has played two full seasons for the Tel Aviv squad in the Rugby Europe Super Cup, which includes European and Asian club teams not drawn from the traditional rugby powerhouse Six Nations countries.

In both of his seasons, Giraffe helped propel the team to the finals where they lost twice to the Black Lions of Georgia, who have won all three editions of the tournament.

He has faced off against many players who tasted World Cup rugby last year, as well as counting Olympic gold medalist Semi Kunatani (Fiji Sevens) as a teammate.

“It has been a great time so far in Israel. The country is so beautiful and safe – I can train until midnight and still feel comfortable walking home,” he said.

Obviously international safety concerns have recently come into play with the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and Giraffe currently awaits clarity on when he will return.

“Even last season they were worried and we played all of our home games in Cyprus for safety reasons.”

The extended break has given Giraffe a chance to touch base with his first club in Ballito.

“Without the Dolphins I could never have been where I am now. There’s so much that goes into training and matchday weekends that I could not afford.”

“I remember arriving to training without tekkies and coach Craig Dawson gave me his new pair. I remember thinking, I need to work hard to make this worth it.”

Dawson recalls first seeing Giraffe and feeling a shadow looming over him, such was the size of the massive prop.

“It was clear that his size would give him an advantage, but that’s never enough to make it. What always impressed me was that he had the drive to do the work,” said Dawson.

“It didn’t matter if he finished first or last in the fitness sessions, he would finish. He would arrive 30 minutes before training to receive individual scrummaging coaching – that’s what makes the difference.”

Giraffe has since become a cult hero figure in his hometown and has inspired his high school to start playing rugby.

That is the impact that local clubs can have on a community and the Dolphins are always looking to provide a platform for the next star.

If you would like to help them reach that goal, the club is looking for sponsors who are looking for a worthy cause to support.

Contact chairman Mark Svenningsen at 078 013 2991 if you would like to get involved.

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