OWEN Masinga has been announced by the Amanzimtoti Rugby Club as its new head coach after having been part of the club’s coaching team for the past three years.

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In a statement the club congratulated Masinga, saying he brings valuable experience to his new position. In 2023, the club appointed Masinga as the U20 forwards coach and his commitment and skills enabled him to move to the senior position.

As he settles into his new position, he said he wants to ensure the club is ready for the league that starts in early March.

“We had a solid team last year, and I want to build on that success rather than make drastic changes. The coaching staff and players must be aligned in our approach. We need to establish a system that everyone can follow while remaining competitive. Most importantly, we need buy-in from all parties; without that support, our plans won’t succeed,” he said.

Since it is still pre-season, Masinga said the immediate focus is on getting the players fit and accustomed to the team’s system.

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“We aim to enhance their ball skills and passing under pressure. If we achieve this, it will set us up well for the challenges in the league. We want to play a fast-paced style of rugby, which will require us to improve our fundamental skills. We’re in the early stages of this process, so we’ll see how it develops,” he said.

Masinga believes the club has a deep pool of talent, which he said any coach would be excited about. While there is a lot of potential, it relies on the players’ willingness to put in the work.

Masinga has been playing rugby since he was a 13-year-old learner at Assegai Primary School. He continued playing when he moved to Glenwood High. He later studied at Stellenbosch University and finished his studies at UKZN. As a player, he has represented KZN Academy, Western Province clubs, as well as KZN clubs. As a coach, he won the 1st Division Reserve League twice, won the KZN Women’s League five times, and came third in the SALGA Games Women’s League.

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