adminwith a big heart for his country, willing to chat to his fellow countryman.
The former Peterhouse and Heritage School pupil, now based in the United Kingdom as a fully fledged player with 13 international caps, was part of the Scottish national side that toured South Africa for the Castle Lager Test Series that also involved Samoa and Italy.
The star-studded side also took time to visit and train schools in Soweto before their final clash with the Italians.
Schooled in Zimbabwe, the then young giant forward Denton, aspiring to become a star player, left the country in 2004 to advance his studies across the Limpopo River before jetting off to the UK four years ago where he became a professional rugby player.
“I left Zimbabwe in 2004 to pursue my studies, while at the same time chasing my rugby dream too. I can say I’m now a professional rugby player after settling well in Edinburgh four years ago, it’s a great feeling to come back here (in Africa) on a rugby cause because this is where it all started,” said the soft-spoken star player.
Standing at 199cm accompanied with a massive weight of 115kg, Denton did put up some decent displays against the likes of Springboks loose forwards Pierre Spies and Siya
Kolisi that reflected the maturity and brighter prospects for the 23-year-old eighthman.
“Back home, we used to take part in Cottco,Powersales in Bulawayo and Sevens tournaments that helped us a lot although the Scottish game is totally different with more pace and skill. When I moved to Scotland, it was very hard to adapt to the cold conditions there but I adapted with time and I can say my game has since developed very much.
“I have learnt a lot from my time in Eastern Cape also, with age still on my side I see myself stepping up the tempo to compete with the game’s best,” he added.
The Marondera-born playmaker, who also turned out for Kingswood College here in South Africa, has so far achieved 20 points for Edinburgh Rugby Club out of 43 caps in the RaboDirect Pro12 League.
Denton joined “The Great Trek” from the tensely fought southern hemisphere to the more flair northern hemisphere world of rugby, to make a name for himself, but remains humble and divulged on his big heart for the motherland.
“I only relocated to pursue my career like any other professional player. I have not turned my back on my country, that is why I always visit my family there annually.
“I’m in touch with some Zim rugby guys and hopefully we will unveil something soon for the local game.
“The Sevens team (Cheetahs) always visit Europe and I always take time to check them out . . . I wish them well at the upcoming Sevens World Cup.
“They are not much Zimbabweans based in Scotland, so I would like to come back and live in my home country and be with the people who helped to start my career,” said the Edinburgh number 8, to silence some quarters who labeled him as a rugby rebel.
“At this level of the game we try as much as possible to keep in touch with other fellow countrymen like David Pocock (who is in Australlia), was thrilled to play with Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mutawarira here and definitely all these guys will always be there to assist.”
Denton made his full Scotland national team debut in his team’s 10-6 win over Ireland in the Rugby World Cup build-up in 2011 but was unfortunately not selected to make the journey to New Zealand and savours prospects of a first World Cup appearance to be hosted in England in two years time.
Zimbabwe rugby landscape has failed to turn professional that has witnessed lots of talented players like Denton chasing their dreams somewhere which leads to strengthen top foreign leagues.
Online Reporter