From SA to France: Up-and-coming rugby star gets once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

SELUSIWE Makambi will be jetting off to France after she was chosen by The Beast Foundation to be part of a cultural exchange programme set to take place from September 5 to 13.

In addition, the 15-year-old, who lives in Montclair, will watch the Rugby World Cup live when the Springboks take on Scotland on September 10.

“It is a dream come true. I am still in shock as I never expected this opportunity, but I am grateful and feel blessed,” said Selusiwe.

The Grade 10 learner at Mowat Park High School said she believes it was due to her hard work and dedication shown while attending the 2022 The Beast Foundation Annual Rugby Bootcamp in July last year. She also had the opportunity to attend the boot camp again this year.

ALSO READ: Learner awarded for heroic contributions to less fortunate

The foundation, which was started by retired Springboks legend, Tendai ‘the Beast’ Mtawarira, assists youth who want to pursue a career in the sport industry, by allowing them to participate in the annual sports and life skills training boot camp, as well as helping them with bursary funding for local and international studies.

Selusiwe said she started playing rugby when it was introduced at her school in March last year. She currently plays in various forward positions for the U16 team.

“I had wanted to do a sport but was not sure what I wanted to do, until the school introduced rugby and the coach encouraged us to try out. Once we started training, I fell in love with the sport and wanted to learn more about the game and its rules. I started reading up on the sport and would watch The Sharks matches.

“After we played our first match in an inter-school tournament, I knew this was the sport for me as the adrenaline experienced being out on the field is amazing. Even though we didn’t win in that tournament, I was determined to keep trying,” she said.

Selusiwe said she was selected for the boot camp after attending trials to join the Umlazi district team who were going to compete in the Talent ID tournament in October last year.

ALSO READ: Few weeks left to enter the richest race in South Africa

“At the time, I didn’t know about the bootcamp, but myself and a few of my teammates who had done well in trials were informed that we were chosen to attend the boot camp so that we could develop our skills ahead of the tournament.

“It was a great opportunity as we not only learnt many new things about the sport but also had the opportunity to interact with the Beast. It was earlier this year that my mom was informed that I had been chosen for the international programme. I was quite surprised as I had only just started playing rugby, but I am very proud of myself.

“I believe that with hard work, perseverance and determination, I will achieve my dream to play for the Springbok Women’s team in future,” she said.

Wandile Khumalo, the school’s sports coordination and rugby coach, said, “Selusiwe has come a long way since she started playing. She has grown as a player, and her skill has improved immensely.

“She is also a leader in the team. She takes our warm-ups seriously, and the other players listen to her – that’s a leader right there. This opportunity couldn’t have gone to a more deserving player as she is consistent, works hard and always wants to be better than yesterday. The school and her team wish her all the best.”

For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram.