Multi-talented, focused and determined are just some adjectives that pop up when you get to know the Leopards Rugby Union vice-president, Akhona Kave.

Akhona is continuing the proud Kave rugby tradition in his family as the Leopards vice-president, a position his father, Patrick, also held. Akhona is part of a bloodline steeped in rugby, a surname synonymous with rugby across South Africa.

“I grew up in a rugby family, my father was the vice-president of the Leopards for a very long time. Before that, he also played for Northern Transvaal. My uncle, Toba Kave, played for Western Province and was in the under-21 squad for the Leopards and a head coach of Impala Rugby Club before moving to Lonmin Rugby Club. My younger brother, Sithembiso Kave, also played for Western Province, Limpopo Bulls, Rhinos Rugby Club and Lonmin Rugby Club,” explains Akhona.

Akhona will be the first to acknowledge that his family has played a massive part in his love for the game and that he would not have been where he is today if it hadn’t been for key mentors in his life growing up.

“Martinus van Zyl, my coach, was the biggest influence in my rugby career back then. He was the one who pushed me to the limits. I was the only black player in the school team and the district club. He also played a big role in my tertiary level at Boston College Rugby Club in Pretoria North where I saw myself going for big colours.”

Akhona’s first rugby club was Blues Rugby Club in Bisho, Eastern Cape, but his rugby journey truly started at Zamukukhanya Primary School in Frankfort. He relocated to Mooinooi in North West, where he matriculated from the Academy for Christian Education in Brits in 2003.

On the field, Akhona was a talented utility back at Boston College Rugby Club, before a back injury shortened his career. He did not give up and continued his rugby journey at Lonmin Rugby Club.

“At first, I was the secretary of the club and was later elected as the chairperson. I was the champion of the Arthur Breakfast League with Lonmin, five-times champion of SAMSA Rugby Tournament with Lonmin, 2015 champion of Neser A-League and 2016 runner-up of Neser A-League. Lonmin was also four-time champs in Heritage Tournaments in different districts under my leadership,” he adds.

Akhona’s journey at the Leopards Rugby Union officially started in 2015 when he was elected as an additional member of the management. In 2017, he became the vice-president of Transformation before getting the honour of being appointed as the deputy president of the Leopards Rugby Union in 2019.

“My goal is to see everyone in the union working towards the common goal of ensuring our great game thrives, to see young blood in the management level and transformation taking place. I would like to see clubs taking part in discussions and driving proactive change within the union and local communities,” states Akhona.

When he is not involved in rugby, he can be found at Sibanye Stillwater’s Marikana Division. “I am a senior purchasing clerk at Sibanye Stillwater Marikana Division,” he adds. Akhona has an eclectic taste in music that ranges from classical music to classical R&B.

“I enjoy listening to classical music; I was brought up to appre- ciate it. I listen to my smooth music with my wine and I read lots of books,” says Akhona who, in his off time, likes to play individual sports and attend shows and events. A perfect holiday for this rugby lover would be somewhere peaceful and off the beaten track.

“A perfect holiday for me would include places that are less visited. I dislike crowds and prefer to visit a more peaceful place. I also enjoy Durban for the beaches and Knysna for the camping sights and forests. These are my destinations every year,” he emphasises.

When his tummy is grumbling, Akhona’s go-to dish is chicken, especially chicken schnitzel, because of the protein content.

“I also can’t live without yoghurt. I would have it on cereal for breakfast and before I go to bed,” he says.

Growth is an aspect central to the being of this talented Kave family member.

He hopes that he can continue bringing positive change to rugby and everything he puts his energy in. He ends our discussion with one of his favourite quotes to snack on mentally.

“If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we are not really living the life we should.”