A bright future for former Allen Glen rugby player
“The thing that motivates me in rugby is that the sport has given me a home away from Zandspruit where, while growing up, you either participate in crime or find other means of distraction.”
Former Allen Glen High School learner, Andrew Matiwane has been doing exceptionally well at the Western Province Rugby Academy in 2020, and has hopes to break into the Griquas Rugby Union side after he was invited to join them for training.
The talented blindside flanker, who has been moved from lock, hails from Zandspruit in Honeydew and matriculated from Allen Glen High School in 2019.
The Northsider caught up with Andrew while he was back in Johannesburg on holiday, just to reflect on his career and everything that keeps him on top of his game.
“The thing that motivates me in rugby is that the sport has given me a home away from Zandspruit where, while growing up, you either participate in crime or find other means of distraction.
“I’ve been exposed to gangsterism from a very young age but never really participated. Instead I put most of my time into perfecting my art and growing as a sportsman.
“I wish to inspire the youth from the area I grew up in and show them that crime is not the way; one just needs to focus on one’s dreams and aspirations to get somewhere in life,” said Andrew.
The 20-year-old loose forward started playing rugby in primary school and was selected into the Golden Lions Presidential U/13 side, achieved junior full colours U/14, and senior full colours U/16.
He also has senior full colours from the Beeld Trophy competition, senior full colours 1st team sevens, striped blazer for three senior full colours in rugby, and senior full colours in the Apcan 1st team, to name just a few.
Bradley Theunissen, one of the rugby coaches at Allen Glen who previously worked with Andrew referred to him as a very different leaner who always gave his all in whatever he did.
“Andrew was a very promising rugby player from quite a young age. It was very evident that he would go far in the sport. He did extremely well from Grade 8 all the way to Grade 12.
“He has made us as a school very proud and we are very keen to see where this young gentleman is going to get in the future. I think he is going to excel and get better and better,” said Bradley.
