ALTHOUGH things did not go well for the Hollywoodbets Sharks in the United Rugby Championship against the Ospreys at the weekend, this match ensured that the team got another talented player from Dumbe, in the north of the province, Zekethelo Siyaya.
This player (18) played for the first time in the senior Sharks team when they were defeated by Ospreys from Wales, 21-17 away on Saturday.
Although this game left the team coached by JP Pietersen in 11th place with 33 points, and also reduced the chances of going to the playoffs, Siyaya’s confidence on the field showed that the coach did not make a mistake in trusting him.
Siyaya showed courage in the way he caught the balls in the air, the way he kicked and the confidence when he ran with the ball in his hands. This enabled him to be instrumental in initiating good moves and marking when necessary.
“Zekhethelo had a very good game for his first time playing at this level. Although he is young, that was not visible when he was on the field. As I said before the game, he has a mature mind and has a bright future in this team. He plays with ease and enthusiasm, which I am happy to see,” said Pietersen, commenting on the player’s contributions.
Siyaya studied at Paulpietersburg Primary School before moving on to Westville Boys High, Durban. He played for the Sharks Under-16 team in the Grant Week Week in 2023, and also played for the Under-17 Sevens.
He moved up to the Under-18 team at the Craven Week tournament the following year, and continued to excel in the schools game, which led to him being selected for the SA Schools A national team.
He was part of the national Under-20 squad that played Georgia away in February.
Siyaya follows in the footsteps of another Sharks player from Dumbe, Siya Masuku, who played a major role when the team won the EPCR Challenge Cup title in 2024.
Masuku left Piet Retief High School and started with the Southern Kings and Toyota Cheetahs before playing for the Sharks senior team in 2024.
The prominence of these players emphasizes that the new heroes who will put the Sharks and the national team, the Springboks, on another level can come from anywhere in the country.
The Sharks will play their next URC match against Edinburgh at the Hive Stadium tomorrow at 8.45pm.