daniel chigunwe
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Zimbabwe Under-20 international and Milton Elephants player, Nicholas Chipanje started this season’s FNB Varsity Shield with a bang, claiming the pink shorts after being rewarded as the FNB Player that Rocks last Friday.
That followed his side’s impressive 50-33 win over Walter Sisulu University (WSU).
The Bulawayo-born and bred loose forward, who is doing his second year studies at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa specialising in politics, sociology and psychology represented Zimbabwe under-20 in 2020 and 2021, and is following in the footsteps of fellow Zimbabwean Tinotenda Mavesere who previously also played for FNB UWC and currently plays for the Sharks in provincial rugby. The 23-year-old multi-skilled athlete did athletics and rugby at Milton High School in Bulawayo.
He also threw at national level at discus and jumped and ran provincially at high jump and 400m.
His other passions are away from the sports field, however, with the lanky athlete dabbling in modelling and fashion design.
“I’m trying to get back into modelling and fashion design. I used to do it with my sister, who owns a boutique in Harare. Even now, I design clothes for my friends as well with denims and jeans,” said Chipanje.
It is no surprise then that former Stormers loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani, who has his own fashion line, is an inspiration for Chipanje.
“I like his style of play and what he does outside of rugby. He redefined what rugby people must look like. He brings style into rugby which is cool,” he said. His two passions will meet as the pink shorts he will adorn in UWC’s next Varsity Shield clash will ensure some fashion touches the rugby field. Meanwhile, Mavesere was, last week named player of the match in the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ Vodacom United Rugby Championship (UCR) encounter against Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, South Africa.
The Sables loose forward played 71 minutes and completed a game-high 20 out of 21 tackles.
He also had eight carries while also beating two defenders.
“The Driller”, as he is popularly known, also had one clean break while also completing a game high 78-metres. Mavesere also had two offloads and scored one try as the Sharks beat the Bulls 29-19.
Online Reporter