Meet the impi warriors who get the crowd pumped up before a Springbok match

News24

2 days ago

What's a Springbok match without the muscular men whose moves bring the crowd to their feet?
And no, we don't mean the players.
Before Siya Kolisi and his team run onto the field, an important ritual takes place – three strong, bare-chested men in traditional Zulu attire take to the pitch to perform a fierce war dance.
They're the popular impi warriors who thrust their spears and stamp their feet to the beat of Johnny Clegg and Juluka's song Impi.
Ahead of the Boks taking on the Barbarians in Cape Town last Saturday, we spoke to the warriors who get our heroes and supporters ready for battle.
Alfonzo Franke
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Alfonzo has been an impi for eight years.
'I've been doing this since 2017, when we faced the All Blacks. We wanted to create something like the Haka that South Africa could also be proud of. So that we could have something to stand on and take the spirit of Africa to the world,' he says.
There was a nerve-racking moment during his first performance when his spear almost hit the All Blacks captain.
'I happened to have so much fire in my heart that when I jumped to the left with my spear, we ended up right in front of the captain, Kieran Reed.
'And the camera filmed me in the air and it looked like I was going to attack him with my spear. And before you know it, when I got into the dressing room, all the journalists had my name and number,' he says.
'I thought I was in big trouble. Our management team asked me what I had done. And I said, 'What do you mean?' They [the All Blacks] reportedly said they had never seen anything like it. The coach even joked that he wished some of his players had the passion that we as impis have when we run onto the field. And they've had great respect for us ever since.'
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His favourite moment is just before they run out. That's when you can hear the crowd screaming, the song Impi starts playing and the green and yellow smoke fills the air.
'There's nothing like that feeling. Moments before it there are butterflies in your stomach, but just before you have to run on that field, the adrenaline kicks in.
'And it's all passion and love for my countrymen, the Springboks – the boys – and the rest of the impis next to me as we prepare for war.'
On the days when the Capetonian is not flexing his muscles, Alfonzo is a filmmaker and cinematographer.
'In 2023 I won the award for best cinematography at the kykNET Silwerskermfees for a movie called Die Blokke, which was directed by Roxanne Blaise.'
Sibusiso Kotelo
It's a wonderful feeling to introduce the Boks in front of thousands of rugby fans and flashing cameras, says Sibusiso, who is a professional bodybuilder.
'It is a privilege and an honour. Besides, you understand that it is kind of the introduction to the introduction.
'Everyone is looking forward to seeing our captain and the boys running onto the field. We run in front of them to set the tone.
'It brings the energy, it creates the idea that we are here, and that we mean business. It is something that I do with great pride.'
His highlight was captured in a photo that spread like wildfire on social media.
In it, he guides Siya with his spear as the Kiwis look on in amazement.
'It will always be monumental for me and also for the history of South African rugby. Even internationally.
'The All Blacks usually stay calm, and always stand in a straight line. But if you look at the photo, most of them were not in line. They were literally staring at us, just looking at us at that moment,' he says.
'The photo symbolises strength to me. Whatever happens, Siya Kolisi knows that we and the rest of the country are behind him.
'And with the spear pointing forward, we send him out to conquer and do the job that we as South Africans believe he and the boys can do. It's a moment that will always resonate in my life until the day I die.'
Sibusiso played rugby at school in Durban. Did he ever dream of being part of the national team, wrestling in alongside Ox Nche in a scrum? He laughs. 'No, man, my rugby days are over. But I get my own sense of glory from being able to do my part by stepping out in front of the boys.'
Torra Sipokwe
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He's been part of the impi team for nine years, but Torra's day job is as a fitness instructor in Sea Point, Cape Town.
He has also worked as a model and actor. In fact, he was spotted during the filming of a music video and offered the job as an impi warrior.
Right from the first training session, the Boks saw he had the passion it takes to be an impi.
'It feels good because we represent our country, our culture, and at the same time we represent the big brand that is the Springboks. It gives me confidence to be in front of a lot of people.'
Before the impis head onto the field they usually do a few push-ups to get their muscles bulging.
'If we get weights beforehand, we use them because we need to be pumped up. We need to pump up our muscles before we go out. It also puts you in the right mood.'
Are there any nerves?
'It's more excitement, because as we come in, people will see us and start cheering us on. So we're really, really happy about that. It's a good feeling for me.'
• The impis will be in action at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday 5 July when the Springboks take on Italy at 5pm.