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I would imagine that most players leave high school with dreams of representing their country at the highest level and making a career out of playing rugby. https://twitter.com/Bwan_lwanga/status/1247906079972851718
@Bwan_lwanga
From what I've seen, most of the players that start out at u19 level realise that they may just have been big fish in small ponds.
From what I've seen, most of the players that start out at u19 level realise that they may just have been big fish in small ponds.
@Bwan_lwanga
I think there they realise that they may not be as good as they initially thought they were, because everyone in the team is as good they are, if not better.
I think there they realise that they may not be as good as they initially thought they were, because everyone in the team is as good they are, if not better.
@Bwan_lwanga
I think most players never make it past u19 or u21 level because the competition is tight and there are only so many people that can play on a particular day.
Some players never get given the same opportunities as their peers.
I think most players never make it past u19 or u21 level because the competition is tight and there are only so many people that can play on a particular day.
Some players never get given the same opportunities as their peers.
@Bwan_lwanga
For example, Pollard was given an opportunity to play for the Junior Boks as a schoolboy. He was also given a chance to play for the Springboks when he wasn't even the first choice 10 at his union. Opportunity. A black player would never be backed like that. Never.
For example, Pollard was given an opportunity to play for the Junior Boks as a schoolboy. He was also given a chance to play for the Springboks when he wasn't even the first choice 10 at his union. Opportunity. A black player would never be backed like that. Never.
@Bwan_lwanga
Others get injured for 6 months - 1 year and yet that person only has a 2 year contract. Unfortunate.
At that level you have 2 years max to make a name for yourself, but no one is backing umntu that hasn't even proven themselves at u19 level.
Others get injured for 6 months - 1 year and yet that person only has a 2 year contract. Unfortunate.
At that level you have 2 years max to make a name for yourself, but no one is backing umntu that hasn't even proven themselves at u19 level.
@Bwan_lwanga
Obviously there are exceptions, but typically you have to have a good first year because the pipeline doesn't remain stagnant, so you have to make a good first impression so that your juniors don't overtake you as you get older.
Obviously there are exceptions, but typically you have to have a good first year because the pipeline doesn't remain stagnant, so you have to make a good first impression so that your juniors don't overtake you as you get older.
@Bwan_lwanga
But for me, the biggest step up is from age group level rugby to senior level rugby.
Many players fall through the cracks there.
For me, a person can only really call themselves a pro when they start playing Currie Cup or Super Rugby.
But for me, the biggest step up is from age group level rugby to senior level rugby.
Many players fall through the cracks there.
For me, a person can only really call themselves a pro when they start playing Currie Cup or Super Rugby.
@Bwan_lwanga
Yhu, zinintsi ii-players that play age group level rugby and Varsity Cup, but only a handful of those players are going to get contracts at CC and SR level.
Even people that play for the Junior Boks can fall through the cracks. Kunzima.
Yhu, zinintsi ii-players that play age group level rugby and Varsity Cup, but only a handful of those players are going to get contracts at CC and SR level.
Even people that play for the Junior Boks can fall through the cracks. Kunzima.
@Bwan_lwanga
Just to summarise: I think it's a combination of being given an opportunity to showcase your talent at a decent level, fortune and a bit of skill on your part.
There are many mediocre players playing CC and SR ngoku.
Just to summarise: I think it's a combination of being given an opportunity to showcase your talent at a decent level, fortune and a bit of skill on your part.
There are many mediocre players playing CC and SR ngoku.
@Bwan_lwanga
What sets them apart from their peers is the opportunities they got and fortune (luck - being your coach's fave). Not that they are the best in their position at that level.
Obviously zikhona ii-players ezitshisayo that can make it noba kuphi, but ezinye...
What sets them apart from their peers is the opportunities they got and fortune (luck - being your coach's fave). Not that they are the best in their position at that level.
Obviously zikhona ii-players ezitshisayo that can make it noba kuphi, but ezinye...
