The next wing wonder

Sevens’ side.
Tafadzwa “MaRubber” Chitokwindo captured the attention of Cheetahs’ manager, Bruce Hobson, when he outpaced one of South Africa’s top players Cecil Africa during a tournament in South Africa.
This was only last year, and he was still playing for the Goshawks – the Zimbabwe Sevens developmental side.

But this was the move that did it for the former Kyle College winger.
“I never wanted to show it when I outpaced him to score a try for the Goshawks but I felt great,” said Chitokwindo.
“I suppressed my feelings after scoring that try because I did not want to embarrass him in front of so many people.

“But as soon as the game was over, some Springbok greats called me and told me I was going to be the next Chavhanga, but I want to be more.”
Though his side eventually lost that match, the former Old Hararians winger’s was determined that he wanted to do more in his game.
He was named in the Cheetahs side that played in the 2010/11 opening tournaments of the International Rugby Board Sevens’ Series, traveling to Dubai and George in South Africa, with the side.

The Rhodes University student went into the tournament, mainly as a cover for the experienced wings, but found himself in the deep-end after Wes Mbanje suffered an early injury in George.
There was no alternative for coach Liam Middleton but to throw in Chitokwindo and the rookie had to perform. He scored a match winning try against the United States in the Bowl semi-final.
“That was the best game of my life. It was unfortunate that Wes was injured but I am happy I managed to come up with some good performances though I did not manage to score any tries in the Bowl final that we won against Kenya,” said Chitokwindo.

“But I am sure that playing for the Cheetahs at that lavel is a stepping stone to greater level and I have done myself, my family and my people proud.”
Chitokwindo had also featured in Zimbabwe’s first home loss to Kenya in the XV version of the game during the Victoria Cup at Harare Sports Club. This, however, is his only Sables’ cap and he was not part of the history-making Sables side that went unbeaten this year after winning five games and setting a new record of five wins in a row, eclipsing the 1987 record where they won four in a row.

The Sables beat Uganda twice, also won against Madagascar, before Kenya home and away.
“It is always good to be part of a side that sets a new record or that makes history but I was not available during that time because of my commitments at college,” he said.

The first time he represented his country was at the Craven Week Festival in 2008 where he played alongside the likes of scrummy Charles Jiji and hooker Tatenda Karuru under coach Brighton Chivandire.

Then Chitokwindo was a centre and was picked for the Zimbabwe Under-19 side that won the 2009 edition of the Junior Africa Cup in Kenya together with Jiji, Karuru, Farai Mpasiri, Terence Kuvarega, the Mama brothers – Dante and Marco.

“It was a good experience for me and life was made easy for us because most of the players in the team had played together at the Craven Week so it was easy for us to gel and we did not waste much time on team building,” said Chitokwindo.

“The game (semi-final) against Tunisia was the most difficult for me because they were violent, looked older than us and would do anything good, or bad, to make sure they won the game.

“But I believe we could have won by a bigger margin had we not started on a low note and the same thing goes for Namibia, in the final, where we were afraid of them but realised later we could win the game.”

A win at this tournament made sure his side went on to represent Africa 2010 edition of the Junior World Rugby trophy where they finished seventh with a draw against Japan and a win over Papua New Guinea before he got the call to the Sables.
But the former Old Boy believes the turning point of his carrier was when he represented the Zimbabwe Sevens Schools’ side in Kenya at the Tuskers Sevens, where he captained the side.

“I think I owe it to Supa (Harare Sports Club coach, Cyprian Mandenge) who then was the schools’ Sevens coach,” said Chitokwindo.
“Coming from Masvingo, I never expected to make it for Zimbabwe during my schools days and when he (Mandenge) named me captain I was really honored.

“Truly speaking, I was just playing rugby for the fun of it but when I was named captain of the side, I felt that there was something in me.
“I had planned to drop rugby after that tour but that kept me going.”
Despite suffering from a leg injury, Chitokwindo was named the Most Valuable Player. From there, as they say, there was no looking back.