3971

Even at an early age, she always dared to be different. While other
girls chose to do netball and ballet, during extra mural classes, she chose
soccer. But when Zinhle got to Park
Hill High
School in 2003, her life changed forever when she
was introduced to rugby, a game which is famous for being rough with lots of
physical contact.

Zinhle learnt the game, was enchanted by it, and fell in love. Her
skills and talent fascinated other people, who saw that she had talent. One of
those people goes by the name of Wendy, who is now playing for the Springbok
Girls Senior Side.

Zinhle’s drive and passion for rugby got her invited to the Jaguars
Club, where she ended up being in the under-16 team in 2006. The more she
played, the more recognition she got, and things felt like they were falling
into her lap, when she was selected for the Sharks rugby team in three
consecutive years 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Now the talented, confident girl from Chesterville Township,
who dares to do what she loves, is playing for the Junior Girls South African
Rugby Team!

With her parents and friends supporting her all the way, she has
decided to pursue rugby as a career. Zinhle is a first-year student at the
Durban University of Technology, doing Sports Management.

Asked about the obstacles she had to overcome, Zinhle says: “People try
to get you down sometimes, they make you feel that you will never make it, but
I love a challenge and I prove them wrong”.

Zinhle is aiming to educate other young people of South Africa,
in fact all over the world that rugby and sport in general, is for anyone.

Rugby seems to be a rough sport, but
there is nothing stopping anyone from playing rugby, as long as they have
passion, commitment, and eat healthy food. After all, practice makes perfect…