Tongaat’s Vukile Zulu is one of South Africa’s most promising men’s netball players.

The 23-year-old recently returned from the Fast5 Netball World Series in New Zealand, where he captained the South African team against the hosts and Australia.

Although the team went winless in Christchurch, it proved valuable experience for the young group in the traditionally female sport which is gaining traction with boys and men countrywide.

Vukile himself is a relatively recent adopter of the sport and has only played for three years.

“I grew up in Hambanathi in Tongaat and played a lot of different sports, from soccer, to cricket and then volleyball,” said Vukile, who coaches junior netball teams at Ashton International College Ballito.

“After a while focusing on volleyball, I got the opportunity to try netball with the Ocean Predators men’s netball team in eThekwini and it has been my sport ever since.”

Vukile has a lanky 6’3″ frame with long reach, which makes him the perfect fit for his position of goalkeeper.

He has played for the Fast5 national team for two years and now has his sights set on joining the full seven-strong South African men’s team.

“Fast5 is like five-a-side football, where the rules are slightly different with less players on the court,” he said.

“It is very fast-paced and the scoring makes it exciting to watch. I really like it but I feel ready for the main national team now.”

Men’s netball in South Africa has been growing for a few years but is still dwarfed by the women’s game.

It means Vukile is semi-professional, but he would need to move to Australia or New Zealand to play in a professional league.

“That is my ultimate goal, to go overseas to play the sport I love. I have now played in two Fast5 World Series’ and I know the pace and skill level needed to compete with the best.”

Vukile’s immediate focus is on the national trials at the start of December however, after which the selected team will travel to Namibia for the Africa Cup.

To find a full list of results for the Fast5 World Series on November 9 and 10, visit fast5netball.com/fast5/mens/draw.

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