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Jeffrey Murimbechi Sports Correspondent
FORMER Zimbabwe Under-19 rugby captain Alva Junior Senderayi has set his sights on making it into the Western Province Under-21 side this year as part of his grand plans to ultimately earn a place in the prestigious South African franchise’s senior team.
The 19-year-old mobile loose forward led the national side at the Junior World Rugby Tournament in Nelspruit last year and the experience as captain was a career-defining one for him.
“It was a great experience as captain and it taught me a few life lessons about what lies ahead of me in my career and how much I have to step up in order to be at the same level as players in South Africa and the rest of the top rugby nations,” he said.
Senderayi is part of the Western Province rugby academy where he is also pursuing his education with the Varsity College.
“It is my goal to make it into the senior team some day but it is a process I need to take step-by-step, starting with making it into the Under-21 squad this year and working my way up from there.
“It may sound a little ambitious but it is achievable, even if it does not work out I still have another year to make it. I believe in myself and I have good work ethic and the exposure to give myself a decent chance,” he said.
The former Falcon eighth man is a product of Reg Querl, who has maintained a strong rugby tradition, which enabled him to go on a trip, sponsored by his parents, to play for Sidmouth Rugby Club in England last May.
South Africa boasts of top-tier rugby franchises and the survival of their rugby prowess lies in the strength of their provincial structures.
Senderayi hopes to join the legion of successful Zimbabwe-born players such as Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, who also went through the same processes in South Africa.
“South Africa has the best rugby and I believe with the great competition your true ability is realised, many Zimbabweans have done well here.
“I really enjoy being at Western Province, there are great people here, very accommodating and they are doing their best to put us in the right physical and mental mindset to compete at the highest possible level of rugby,” he said.
Online Reporter