CAPE TOWN – Springbok Sevens star Masande Mtshali recalls how big a role his late father played in making all his dreams a success.
The 20-year-old was born in Ncera Village near Alice in the Eastern Cape.
Mtshali returned for his second season of the renamed HSBC SVNS Series when he scored his first try in Dubai two weeks ago against New Zealand.
He made his mark for the Blitzboks last season after playing sevens matches at the age of 19.
“I feel very good and I am also in a good place physically, emotionally and mentally – getting a second chance in this game means a lot,” said Mtshali.
“I even scored my first try in the first week of the season and that is the moment I will always cherish. It was my first try in the Sevens and it was against the big team in New Zealand.
“Growing up my dream was to play rugby, I remember telling my late father – growing up in front of him – playing rugby with him. He used to play rugby with me all the time.
“Now I am living that dream, and it feels really good I won’t lie. I wish he was here to witness that dream.”
The former Grey High player has his eyes on the greater heights as he wants to see himself donning the Springboks jersey one day.
Mtshali believes he has what it takes but knows what needs to be done to achieve his goal.
“My main goal is to wear the green and gold in 15s, the Springboks, but I know the hard work I need to put in to get there,” he said.
“For now, it’s baby steps and learning a lot on the way. But through hard work and discipline, I know I can achieve that dream.
With the Blitzboks continuing to struggle to impress on home soil every season, Mtshali says patience is the key.
“We need to keep believing and keep fighting,” he adds.
“We need to tackle home the same way we do when we are playing away, something that at the moment is hard to do but it’s not impossible.
“If our minds are set and we tell ourselves that it is home and we need to make sure the title stays, that can happen. It’s doable, it’s just that we need to believe in ourselves.”
South Africa finished in 6th position in the recent Cape Town Sevens.
Image: masandemtshali / IG
