Look out Beast here comes Bhuda

Usually he does not disappoint. Meet Irvine “Bhuda” Nduwa, Western Panthers’ utility forward and first team prop as well as the captain of the Under-20 side for the duration of the Zimbo Cup.
Dark in complexion, heavily built and fast enough to match any player in the league, he reminds one of the old steam powered goods trains that were referred to as amagoots.
At 18 years of age Bhuda believes he is ready to represent his country at international level, “This year my main aim is to get a national team call up” he says.
“I was a Matabeleland A representative in the Under-19 and Under-21 squads last season so this time around I am ready to step up my game and make the national team.”
Bhuda started playing rugby while attending primary school at Milton Junior, “I had a big body and I couldn’t play soccer so I decided to try out with the rugby team, I enjoyed playing the sport and started watching the seniors when they played and that’s when my passion for rugby began and up to today it hasn’t diminished,” Bhuda explains.
The young man says watching others play inspires him.
He draws his inspiration from Tendai “Beast” Mutawarira’s achievements.
“Watching the Beast play really inspires me because it makes you realise what can be achieved as a Zimbabwean rugby player. What drives me even more is that we play the same position and the Beast has made it onto the global stage and I want to do the same.”
Bhuda says with confidence that scoring tries makes him happy, “when I score a try for my team I am happy and I get the push to score even more, it’s my aim to score as many as I can.”
With the talent that Bhuda has he could have easily commanded a first team jersey at clubs like Old Miltonians and Busters, which are regarded as the cream of Matabeleland Rugby.
He however made the uncommon decision to play for Western Panthers, an underdog side. The Mpopoma boy says he made this decision so as to step up the level of competition in the game.
“Most players opt to play for OMs and Busters so if we all go that side (eastern suburb teams) then the game will be one sided, so I thought if I played for Panthers then we could have a more interesting game as there will be an element of surprise.”
He also has confidence in his chosen team.
“Panthers are underdogs yes, but really we are a rebuilding side, we managed to beat Busters last year and we have a strong team this year, we can become one of the top clubs in Zimbabwe this year,” Bhuda says.
Rugby- in Zimbabwe generally and particularly in Bulawayo – has always been considered an elitist sport, as such teams and players from the poorer side of town are not expected to have rugby talent. Bhuda is on a personal crusade to challenge that stereotype.
“As players from the western suburbs we are looked down upon by even the regional and national team selectors, I want to make sure that this year selectors notice the talent from the western areas,” he said.
There have been many brilliant youngsters in Zimbabwean rugby as evidenced by the exploits national junior team that has made several appearances at Junior Rugby World Cups. Many of these youngsters’ rugby careers fizzle out after they leave school and some are seen spotting bulging potbellies. Bhuda vows that he will not become one of the many that fall by the wayside. He said he was aware of the many pitfalls that derail the promising careers of youngsters.
“Many players start drinking and clubbing and this impacts negatively on their fitness and as a result their game is equally affected. I don’t drink and I don’t want to drink because I love rugby. I do not want to do anything that will jeopardise my rugby playing ability,” he said.
Rugby in Zimbabwe does not pay very well and very few players depend on the sport for income. Bhuda said he was well aware of the fact but he was still committed to playing the game at the highest level. Like most youths from Matabeleland his ambitions lie across the Limpopo.
“I know Zimbabwean rugby does not pay, we play hoping that talent scouts from South Africa will see us because it pays well that side. Other than that we play for the love of the game and just hope that big teams down south see you.
“The support I get from my family also keeps me going because they are very supportive of what I do,” he said.
Bhuda also believes that lack of sponsorship is hampering efforts that have been made to develop the game of rugby in western areas.
According to Bhuda who sat for O-Level examinations last year and is waiting for results, players from the western suburbs have the potential to become stars and all they need is corporate support.