Lawrence Sephaka at Mitchell House

POLOKWANE – Learners of Mitchell House and Mitchell House College recently received a special visit from South African rugby player, Lawrence Sephaka.

Sephaka is a former Toulon and Golden Lions Rugby Union player.

He has also made appearances for the Springboks. He made his international debut for South Africa in 2001 against the US.

Sephaka also represented South Africa in u/19 rugby, u/21 rugby and u/23 tournaments.

During his visit to Mitchell House, he told the learners his life story, that of only child who was raised by a single mother.

“I was a Sotho child that went to a Xhosa primary school.

“I then went to an English secondary school and later an Afrikaans high school. I only started playing rugby in gr. 8,” he said.

He said his mother told him she did not care what he did, as long as it got him something better than he already had and kept him out of trouble.

“I used the school holidays to exercise and to refrain from smoking with my friends.

“I used to run up mine dumps to get fit for rugby.”

He played soccer in primary school.

“If you don’t dare to dream, you might as well give up on life now,” he said.

“Nothing is easy if you do not have discipline, commitment and perseverance.”

He advised the learners to try everything to know what they were capable of and good at.

“Don’t give up if you do not make it. Sport and academics go hand in hand. Even if you are good at sport, you still need to study.”