Varsity Shield dream comes true for South Coast rugby player

Samkelo Ntshulane from Bhomela near Izotsha recently represented the University of Fort Hare Blues in this year’s FNB Varsity Shield competition, that saw his team earn sixth place at the tournament’s conclusion last Sunday.

His rugby journey began at an early stage, after he was introduced to the game by his older brother.

“My brother was playing for a development team in Nyandezulu. I followed him when he went to rugby practise, and I got a chance to join the training session with hopes that I will also be taken with him to play and sleep in a hotel like he did when he left for matches,” said Ntshulane jokingly.

“Back then there were just a couple of u11 players and we would train with the older guys. Even though it was hard, I enjoyed it. From that day I never looked at nor thought of any other sport besides rugby. All in all, it became my second home like it still is today,” he said.

Ntshulane attended Marburg Primary and Marburg Secondary before he secured a scholarship in grade 10 at Creston College in 2015.

It was in varsity rugby that the big high school inside centre was moved to tighthead prop as he concluded his second season with the Blues.

“I used to watch the Varsity Shield competition on TV while I was in high school and I was preparing myself because the end of school rugby was slowly approaching.”

Ntshulane boasts a stellar provincial record having made the KZN team three times, SA Top Schools rugby sevens, IQHAWE Legends KZN Team u16, Ugu District Rugby Sevens u19, the SKZN Reitz u19 team twice, as well as the KZN Country Districts side.

The University of Fort Hare BA law student expressed how much growth has come from playing at one of the highest levels of rugby.

“The competition was a whole new experience for me. A lot of the players in the national team have played in the competition,” said Ntshulane.

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